Royals Rumblings - News for December 24, 2019

Royals Rumblings - News for December 24, 2019

Lynn Worthy talks to outfielder Nick Heath on being a step away from the big leagues.

“There are times you get a little anxious about it,” Heath said. “What’s going to happen? What’s going to happen? You know, you never want to let anybody down. You never want to make it seem like you didn’t do everything you could to get there.

“Just to be this close and to know that it’s close to home, it’s definitely a little bit of added pressure because I want to be able to show the people from back there what you can do, what I was capable of doing. Like I said, I’ve had a good support system they still support me no matter what. They’re always just giving me positive energy. I’m super excited to be able to get to this point.”

Alec Lewis writes about reliever Brandon Marklund’s strange odyssey to professional baseball.

“What the heck is this Canadian kid who went to school somewhere in the States, who made his way out to New Zealand, who I’m watching pitch in Sydney, doing all the way out here in Australia?” Burke asked, remembering his questions that day. “You can analytics everything you want in the game, but you can’t quantify love. This kid’s either crazy or he loves the game.”

Doc Riddle at Royals Farm Report also writes about Marklund this week.

Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors summarizes the Chance Adams deal.

Adams has seen his walk rate tick upward as his strikeout percentages have dipped considerably from his time in the low minors. However, he won’t turn 26 until next August and has a minor league option remaining, so there’s little harm in a rebuilding club like the Royals taking a speculative look in hopes of striking gold.

Jeffrey Flanagan says Adams will have a chance to make the team.

Flanny also talks to Brad Keller about his favorite Christmas traditions.

6. What’s your favorite Christmas movie?

Keller: Has to be Elf. But I would say Home Alone is right up there, too. I think it’s neck and neck. I love them both.

Mike Gillespie of Kings of Kauffman writes about the Jorge Lopez dilemma.

The Blue Jays sign pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu to a four-year, $80 million deal.

The Indians sign second baseman Cesar Hernandez to a one-year deal.

Could the White Sox add Nicholas Castellanos?

Pitcher Rich Hill and his wife were arrested at a Patriots game.

Former big leaguer Doug Glanville explains why the MLBPA doesn’t do more for minor leaguers.

Is the juiced ball affecting baseball economics?

The case for Curt Flood to be in the Hall of Fame.

Alameda County will sell its ownership share in Coliseum to the Athletics.

The college baseball mid-major programs on the verge of a breakthrough.

Five ways the proposed in-season NBA tournament could fail.

Racism in soccer reared its ugly head again at the Chelsea/Tottenham match last weekend.

What happens to meat when you freeze it for 35.000 years?

The biggest flops in tech this decade.

The ten best shots from movies in 2019.

Your song of the day is Julian Casablancas with I Wish It was Christmas Today.