Royals Rumblings - News for January 23, 2019

Royals Rumblings - News for January 22, 2019

Alex Duvall at Royals Farm Report continues his countdown of Royals prospects with #26-30.

Nick Heath will challenge anybody in the Royals system for the title of fastest player. The kid has legitimate 80-grade speed as proofed by his 29 SB 54 games at Wilmington this past summer. The jump from High-A to AA is touted as the toughest jump in all of minor league baseball, and while Heath saw a bit of a decline in offensive production upon arriving in NWA, he held his own by posting an 89 wRC+. He then continued playing in the highly competitive Arizona Fall League (with the likes of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.) where he continued to find tons of success. Heath posted a .338/.420/.442/.862 slash line in 21 games with the Surprise Saguaros and also stole 13 bases in 17 chances.

So why is Heath at #29 on our list and not a top 20 talent? Well, in both his stint with Wilmington and in the Arizona Fall League, Heath’s wild success was propped up a bit by wild BABIPs.

Leigh Oleszczak at KC Kingdom writes that right field is still a mystery for the Royals.

Jorge Bonifacio is a young, promising player, who disappointed in 2018. Bonifacio served an 80-game suspension last year, but never looked like the player we saw tear it up as a rookie the season prior. He does have options, so sending him to the minors could be the route the Royals go with, unless Bonifacio is utilized as a bench player and an occasional designated hitter.

Lastly, there’s Brian Goodwin, who the Royals acquired from the Nationals last year. Goodwin was okay in 2018, but dealt with some injuries. While Goodwin was a nice piece for the Royals, he’s pushing 30 and won’t be a part of the rebuild. It wouldn’t be shocking if he were either traded or DFA’d moving forward.

Max Rieper appeared on the Painting Corners podcast to preview the season for the Royals.

Whit Merrifield is a good dude.

An online gambling service puts the over/under on Royals wins at 69.5.

A woman who was found in Danny Duffy’s home last summer has been charged with burglary.

Mariano Rivera, Edgar Martinez, Mike Mussina, and Roy Hallady are elected into the Hall of Fame.

Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds continue their tedious climb in Hall of Fame voting.

A look at next year’s Hall of Fame ballot that will include Derek Jeter.

The Brewers, Padres, and Phillies may be pursuing Mike Moustakas.

The Braves re-sign Nick Markakis on a one-year deal.

The Rangers ink infielder Asdrubal Cabrera to a one-year deal.

Milwaukee’s Miller Park will be re-named after sponsor American Family Insurance.

What is the Dodgers’ off-season plan?

Cuban defector shortstop Yolbert Sanchez has been cleared to sign with teams.

Craig Calcaterra questions whether the slow free agent market is due to “common sense.”

Bob Sutton is out as Chiefs defensive coordinator, who could replace him?

Does the US Men’s National Team finally have a vision?

The “ten year challenge” on social media may be helping facial recognition software.

Robots will deliver food and drinks to students at George Mason University.

James Gandolfini’s son will play Tony in a Sopranos prequel film.

Your song of the day is Black Sheep with The Choice is Yours.