Royals Rumblings - News for February 14, 2019

The FanGraphs’ top 132 prospects list (all 50 FV or higher players) dropped yesterday. There were no Royals. In the FanGraphs prospect list chat with Eric Longenhagen and Kiley McDaniel, Eric had the following to say about the Royals:

Bubbles: Is Kansas City’s lack of representation in the Top 100 just a matter of a lot of talent with upside that you’re not quite ready to make that jump with, or a lot of high floor/low ceiling types?

Eric A Longenhagen: They just have a lot of high probability or boom/bust 45 FVs types. Like, a lot. Their system isn’t bad just because none of their guys are on here. We had Melendez around 70 on initial drafts and feedback said to move him down/off because of the K’s.

At the Athletic (subscribe following this link and get 25% off to the new home of John Sickels and Grant Brisbee while giving me ten Amabucks), Rustin Dodd reports that the Royals will explore their options with Ian Kennedy, possibly moving him to the bullpen.

“Honestly, throwing out of a relief role where you don’t really know your role, that’s not appealing,” Kennedy said. “Now, if I’m put in that (role) because I’ve not pitched well … then you understand.”

For now, Yost is emphasizing that no role is defined. The competition remains fluid, in both the rotation and bullpen. Kennedy, meanwhile, stated that all teams can claim rotation depth when spring begins. For the moment, he would like to compete as a starter and see where the competition leads.

“For me,” Kennedy said, “it’s like: ‘Let’s see how it all plays out.’”

KoK’s Trevor Hooth profiles and chats with prospect Jonathan Bowlen:

It’s easy to say a player can develop into something. The reality is that it takes work. For Bowlan, that work manifests itself in learning everything he can from each appearance he makes.

“You have to be a student of the game if you’re trying to make it to the highest level,” Bowlan said.

“You have to ask questions, whether it’s your teammates or coaches. Especially if the coaches or players have made it to the highest level. It’s hard to learn if you don’t ask questions, and when you ask questions, it allows you to be more stress free because you know what you need to work on to reach your goal.”

Also at KoK, Chase Jones wonders whether Nicky Lopez will put the pressure on Hunter Dozier.

Jeffrey Flanagan reports that Nedgar doesn’t want to define the closer’s role yet.

Bullish on the farm? Well, Baseball America isn’t.

Of note in that article, the Padres have eight consecutive losing seasons, bested worsted wursted only by the Marlins. For all the Marlins suckage, they rank just 13th, aided in large part by the recent acquisition of Sixto Sanchez, their top-rated prospect.

At Royals Farm Report, Alex Duvall sits down with Adam McInturff to talk about the 2080 Royals’ prospect list that dropped earlier this week.

Aaron Nola was afraid of free agency. It must be working.

At the Athletic, Eno Sarris highlights five breakout pitching candidates.

For a prospect round-up, look no further:

Rocco Baldelli talks of the leadership of Charlie Montoyo and Nelson Cruz.

Here’s this:

Are tattoos finally becoming uncool? If Adam Levine and Justin Bieber are any indicator, probably.

Ken Marino will return for Hulu’s Veronica Mars revival. Also—and this is five months old, so forgive me, but—Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is in the writer’s room.

The Russo Brothers have a big spy series universe in the works at Amazon.

People are combating loneliness by living with other people. When will the madness end?

What do early KonMari adopters’ homes look like today?

Get a load of the lavish dinners of South Dakota’s divorce colony.

Crank Yankers is coming back.

The song of the day is “Particles” by Ólafur Arnalds featuring Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir: