:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63273557/usa_today_10895701.0.jpg)
Royals Rumblings - News for March 21, 2019
Ned Yost says you could see Jorge Soler in the field this year.
“I will say this, he has made tremendous improvements in the last two years defensively,” Yost said. “He’s worked very hard to become an average right fielder because he was a below average right fielder when he got here, and he just continues to work hard every day. It was a shame that he broke his foot last year because I would have really loved to see what he could have done in a full season because he was really doing a good job when that happened.”
Jeffrey Flanagan provides an update on Danny Duffy, who is battling shoulder stiffness.
Left-hander Danny Duffy, who won’t break camp with the team Sunday, continues his throwing program after overcoming a bout of left shoulder tightness. He is scheduled to throw a live bullpen session on Monday, and then a live up-and-down bullpen session on March 28 in extended spring training.
Surgery won’t stop Salvy from having a big smile and a good sense of humor. “He got lucky” is what Salvy said while laughing, after being asked about Maldonado being the guy who prevented him from winning six consecutive Gold Gloves pic.twitter.com/K10SlFrWIf
— Cody Tapp (@codybtapp) March 20, 2019
Rustin Dodd looks at a realistic best-case scenario for the Royals this season, which includes the farm system taking a big leap forward.
Most of the Royals’ top prospects are expected to start the year at high-A Wilmington, while Lee will be an exception at Double-A Northwest Arkansas. That means that close to all of them will retain their prospect status next year.
With strong seasons from those players and the Royals possessing the No. 2 overall pick this summer, it seems feasible that the club could boast five or six players in various top-100 prospect lists next season. With a little luck, it could be even more. In a perfect season, the Royals’ system jumps toward the top of baseball next winter.
Fans show Danny Duffy love after he quits Twitter.
The Athletic hires writer Alec Lewis to cover the Royals.
The Orioles release former Royals infielder Alcides Escobar.
Former Royals first baseman Lucas Duda also become a free agent, opting out of his deal with the Twins.
Ichiro receives a hero’s welcome in Japan.
Sports Illustrated picks the top turnaround teams this year.
Mookie Betts won’t be signing a long-term deal with the Red Sox.
Gio Gonzalez says he only got one offer all off-season.
Chief Baseball Officer Joe Torre says MLB is concerned about the rising rate of strikeouts.
Jared Cross at Fangraphs discusses new pitch framing metrics that have changed how WAR is calculated.
Marc Carig profiles legendary groundskeeper and Royals Hall of Famer George Toma.
Does Zion Williamson’s legacy at Duke need a championship?
Check out the Russian “Male Slapping” championship.
Amazon Prime launches a MLB TV channel.
Inside Airbnb’s “guerrilla war” against local governments.
Disney will revive Lucasfilm Games.
Read what a planned Forrest Gump sequel was going to feature until 9/11 stopped the project.
Your song of the day is Phantogram with When I’m Small.