Royals Rumblings - News for May 2, 2019

Royals Rumblings - News for May 2, 2019

Glenn Sparkman took his impressive performance against the Rays in stride.

“My focus today was just stay relaxed,” said Sparkman, who arrived in town around 1 a.m. after being called up from Triple-A. “I just needed to go out there, stay calm and don’t let the game get too big.”

Rustin Dodd at The Athletic looks at the progress of Adalberto Mondesi.

The numbers offer a shorthand for his physical tools, a speed and power mix possessed by just a few men on the planet. The Royals believe he is just getting started.

“You see him incrementally getting a little better and getting a little better and getting a little better,” Yost said. “And that’s what it’s going to be.

“You’re not going to see major advancements and major improvements in him. He’s just going to get a little better and a little better … until he’s as good or better than anybody else offensively in this league.”

Rustin also talks to J.J. Picollo about the state of the farm system.

Yefri del Rosario battling biceps issue: del Rosario, 19, signed with the Atlanta Braves as an amateur, became a free agent after the team was punished for circumventing international signing rules, then he joined the Royals’ system before last season. He posted a 3.19 ERA in 79 innings for Low-A Lexington as an 18-year-old right-hander, but a nerve issue in his biceps has sidelined him for the last month.

“(He has) some numbness in his bicep, which is kind of an unusual spot,” Picollo said. “There’s not a lot of history on it. But the history that is there is a good result. It’s just rest. So there’s really no timetable on him. It’s when this thing resolves itself.”

Jeffrey Flanagan provides an update on Bubba Starling, who left Tuesday’s game after being struck on the hand.

ESPN hands out grades to each team, and gives the Royals a “D”.

Best storyline: What’s weird is the Royals actually have several good storylines despite the awful start. Adalberto Mondesi is one of the most exciting players in the league, Hunter Dozier leads the AL in OPS, Terrance Gore is hitting .438! But Alex Gordon’s turn-back-the-clock start is a nice reminder that he was one of the best all-around players in the league from 2011 to 2014, when he averaged 6.1 WAR per season.

Mulligan: I’m not exactly sure why Chris Owings continues to get so much playing time.

Paul York at Royals Farm Report apologizes to Chris Owings.

In 2014 and 2016, you proved to be very effective versus left-handed pitching. So, when your signing came about, I think most believed you’d fill that scrappy utility role with a slight lean on at-bats versus left-handed pitching. That is until we remembered that scrappy utility-types are kryptonite to our GM and manager.

Hunter Dozier and Ian Kennedy are named Royals Player and Pitcher of the Month for April.

At 610 Sports, Cody Tapp talks to Dozier about his hot start.

Sean Thornton looks at the crazy month of April for the Royals.

Indians pitcher Corey Kluber has a fractured forearm from a line drive.

Astros outfielder George Springer receives unspecified punishment for using a homophobic slur.

April is showing some attendance problems for baseball.

How hitters are fighting back against rising strikeouts.

What the careers of top prospects can tell us about Vladimir Guerrero, Jr.

Tim Anderson says he feels like Jackie Robinson in breaking the “have-fun” barrier.

Jeopardy champ James Holzhauer is a Baseball Prospectus reader and dreamt of running a baseball team.

The Kentucky Derby favorite has been scratched from the race.

Why Kansas junior college programs are capping scholarships for out-of-state players.

How the census changed America.

The woman who scammed her way into New York’s elite, claiming to be an heiress, will now face 15 years in prison.

Should everyone calm down about spoilers?

Your song of the day is Chance the Rapper with No Problem.