Royals Rumblings - News for July 11, 2019

Royals Rumblings - News for July 11, 2019

Jeffrey Flanagan examines the Royals’ trade assets as the deadline approaches.

The Royals do have some pieces that could help contenders. Right-hander Homer Bailey’s numbers (7-6, 4.80 ERA) might not be eye-popping, but he has been more than serviceable, and he could be a solid lower-rotation addition for a contender. Bailey’s velo is hitting 94-95 mph and his splitter is still effective. And he knows how to pitch. The best part is that Bailey would essentially be free. The Dodgers are picking up his contract, and any trade partner would only have to pay less than half of his MLB minimum salary. He is a bargain.

Jon Tayler at Sports Illustrated looks at what each team should do at the trade deadline.

If Kansas City made Whit Merrifield available, the return would be solid. But assuming the Royals hang on to him, then Kennedy makes sense given his sudden and likely unsustainable emergence as a solid closer. Moving his salary will be tough, but with the Rays, Red Sox, Twins, Braves, Nationals, Phillies, Brewers, Dodgers and Diamondbacks all probably looking for relievers, it’s a seller’s market, especially if Kansas City eats some money. Other Royals who might find new homes are Homer Bailey, Jake Diekman and Billy Hamilton.

Eric Liu at Royals Farm Report profiles outfield prospect Brewer Hicklen.

To be quite frank, I’m not overly concerned with his power struggles. As mentioned prior, he has plus raw power, which will likely only increase as he becomes stronger and progresses in his professional career. Plus, we’ve already seen his raw power does translate to game power with the 18 long balls he belted in 2018. One stat from his 2019 season that really impresses me is his vast improvement in walk rate. In 2018 Hicklen walked at only a 6.9% clip while punching out at 28.2% in his extended time in Lexington. So far in 2019 with Wilmington, he has upped his walk rate to 14.6% while his K rate has relatively stayed the same at 28.7%. Obviously you’d like to see him cut down on the strikeout rate as he progresses, but his strong improvements in getting on base have overshadowed that to an extent.

Johnathan Houser at KC Kingdom looks back on the first half for the Royals.

Bobby Witt, Jr. is named national prep athlete of the year.

A look at every team’s trade deadline strategy.

Former Yankees pitcher and author of Ball Four, Jim Bouton, dies at age 80.

MLB players seem determined to go on strike over the current economic system.

The All-Star Game television ratings hit a record low.

The time a guy made the All-Star team simply because he happened to be in town.

Eno Sarris at The Athletic wonders if the new baseball is changing the way pitches move.

The Atlantic League implements robot umpires for a night and may try allowing players to “steal first base.”

What NFL team will be the next to relocate?

The World Cup will have a new qualifying format.

Why fund managers are scared of sudden withdrawals.

Scientists claim they have found the oldest human remains outside of Africa.

How Midsommar turned tradition and folklore into nightmare fuel.

Your song of the day is Smokey Robinson and The Miracles with Tears of a Clown