Royals Rumblings - News for April 4, 2019

Royals Rumblings - News for April 4, 2019

Homer Bailey thought there was room for improvement after his first start of the season.

“There’s room for growth,” the veteran righty said.

Specifically, Bailey was disappointed with his pitch count rising so quickly.

“I could definitely have been more efficient with my pitches,” he said. “Could have worked harder to get first-pitch strikes. But we did get some soft contact, which is what you’re looking for.”

Rustin Dodd has ideas on how the Royals could improve their bullpen.

The team could also be tempted by another young arm at Triple-A Omaha, left-hander Richard Lovelady. In the last two seasons, Lovelady has struck out 148 batters in 139 2/3 innings in the minors. He has posted a 2.02 ERA in three minor-league seasons and logged a 2.08 ERA in spring training.

He will start the season at Omaha, and the Royals have other options who are actually on the 40-man roster in Jake Newberry, Conner Greene, Glenn Sparkman, Scott Blewett and Arnaldo Hernandez. (The latter two prospects are set to open the season as starters, and it appears the organization wants to continue their development in that manner.)

He also writes that the month of April could define the Royals’ season.

If the Royals are to start hot, they will also need to take advantage of a March and April schedule that includes nine games against the White Sox and Tigers — two teams that lost at least 98 games last season — and six more against the Twins and Angels, two clubs that also finished with losing records.

“It’s important to our players,” Yost said. “It’s important to our fans. It’s important to a lot of the organization.”

Sam Mellinger writes that Adalberto Mondesi is playing his way into a big contract.

But a deal for six years and $80 million or so with a club option or two might have positives for each side.

Mondesi would achieve generational wealth, lock in long-term security with an organization that’s supported him, and assuming health and production, he’d be in line for at least one more big contract.

The Royals would never be in line for a high-ceiling talent like Mondesi in free agency. This would lock down a homegrown star at a premium position, the kind of franchise-molding moment the Royals had in signing Zack Greinke and Perez.

Mark Simon at The Athletic looks at the best defensive players in baseball.

The best fit for the No. 10 spot might be Royals catcher Martin Maldonado. He’s been an above-average to excellent pitch-framer, he has a good history of blocking potential wild pitches and he is excellent at deterring stolen bases over the last three seasons (he threw out 15-of-33 would-be basestealers in 2018).

Lee Judge looks at who is really the fastest player on the Royals.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid and GM Brett Veach were at the K yesterday.

Alex Duvall at Royals Farm Report previews the Wilmington Blue Rocks.

Mike Moustakas is still struggling with the double play pivot, but is embracing his move to second base.

The Cubs sign a long-term deal with David Bote.

The Cuban Baseball Federation releases its list of players eligible to sign with MLB teams.

Triple-A teams will be using MLB baseballs this year.

Dale Murphy writes that baseball has regressed in the way it treats minor leaguers.

MLB has made it inexplicably difficult to find video highlights online.

Don’t get your hopes up with the Mariners.

Stephen A. Smith will become the highest paid personality on ESPN.

The Chiefs draft hats are something.

Is the idea of a “right side of history” flawed?

Financial firms are freaking out that Patagonia prioritizes orders for vests from “mission-driven” companies.

The new Joker trailer is the stuff of nightmares.

Your song of the day is Freedy Johnston with Bad Reputation.