Royals Rumblings - News for July 10, 2019

Royals Rumblings - News for July 10, 2019

Whit went hitless in two at-bats in the All-Star Game, but got some recognition.

“It’s sort of a sense that people know who I am now, which has been a big struggle for me -- to get people to say my name right,” Merrifield said. “The fact that I’m here now, it’s special for sure.”

“[It was] everything I hoped it would be,” Merrifield added after the game. “Bunch of adrenaline.”

In his Mellinger Minutes, Sam discusses the odds of a Whit Merrifield trade.

Let me be clear that this is just me talking: I believe the Royals’ preference would be to trade Merrifield for a package of prospects that would better line up with the next wave of talent.

The disclaimers are significant: he’s their best player right now, and under the type of club control that does line up with the next wave of talent. Additionally, he is the current face of the franchise, especially when Sal Perez is injured, and the Royals put a premium on that type of value both in the clubhouse and community.

But he is also 30 years old, and if the Royals could (baseball jargon coming) multiply him with two or more big leaguers that’s a deal I believe they’d like to make.

Now, let me be clear that this is not just me talking: that kind of deal just doesn’t exist.

Royals television ratings are slightly up this year, writes Blair Kerkhoff.

According to Nielsen Media Research, the Royals have averaged a 4.8 household rating, or approximately 44,000 viewers, on games broadcast by Fox Sports Kansas City. That’s a 4% increase over the same number of games as 2018.

Despite having baseball’s third-worst winning percentage (.330, 30-61), the Royals rank eighth in local market TV ratings.

Hunter Dozier is named an “unexpected All-Star” by Zach Kram of The Ringer.

Selected eighth overall in the 2013 draft, Dozier never quite fulfilled the promise implied by that slot. His best-ever prospect ranking was 95th by Baseball Prospectus (and he never reached the top 100 from Baseball America or MLB.com), and he didn’t hit much in the minors or his initial MLB stints. But Dozier has checked off just about every statistical box a breakout player looks for this year: He’s struck out less, walked more, hit the ball harder, and generated fewer grounders.

Cam Gallagher talks about being a backup and waiting for his opportunity.

“Obviously, everyone wants to play a little more,” said Gallagher, who broke into the majors with the Royals with 13 games in 2017. “It is just the way it is. My role is to come in and catch a good game. You don’t get your reps and timing down (as much). That is not an excuse. You have to be able to handle it.”

Leigh Oleszczak at KC Kingdom has her takeaways from the first half of the season.

The Red Sox have interest in Mets pitcher Zach Wheeler.

Why Bryce Harper and other 2018 All-Stars missed this year’s game.

How young stars are changing the game of baseball.

Commissioner Rob Manfred insists baseball is not juicing the ball.

And he denies MLB awarded Cleveland an All-Star Game in exchange for phasing out their old logo.

MLBPA chief Tony Clark voices opposition to the draft.

Yasmani Grandal talks about how he nearly signed with the Mets.

Is baseball evidence the big data revolution is over?

610 Sports releases new audio on Tyreek Hill.

What if the New England Patriots had moved to St. Louis?

Should you wear white or black on hot days?

Netflix is losing Friends and The Office.

The Game of Thrones prequel will have 100 kingdoms, some Starks, but no Lannisters.

Your song of the day is Billy Squier with Everybody Wants You.