Royals Rumblings

Royals Rumblings - News for August 12, 2019

Mike Moustakas’ home run record is on notice.

By Max Rieper@maxrieper Aug 12, 2019, 8:00am EDT

Royals Rumblings - News for August 12, 2019

Lynn Worthy writes that Hunter Dozier is taking well to right field, but his future position is still uncertain.

As far as what position the club feels as though Dozier’s should focus on moving forward, Dozier said those conversations haven’t taken place.

“I’m sure we’ll talk at the end of the season,” Dozier said. “They really haven’t said much to me. Whatever they need me to do, I’m totally on board with. Like I’ve always said, I just want to be in the lineup and wherever I need to play, I’ll play.

Dozier and Jorge Soler have been mashing this month.

Asked whether Dozier provides extra motivation or if the two feed off one another, Soler responded with quality control/catching coach Pedro Grifol translating, “Of course, he hits right before me, and if he hits one, I want to hit one, too. Before the first at-bat, I told Dozier, ‘Let’s see if we can go back-to-back in this inning.’ We didn’t do it that inning, but we did it in a later at-bat.”

Jeffrey Flanagan talks to Soler more about his chase of the club single-season home run record.

“The only thing I have thought about was I was traded for a big-time pitcher and I wanted to live up to those expectations,” Soler said. “I didn’t do it at the beginning. But I want to thank the organization for believing in me, for trading for me with and giving up that caliber of a player [in Davis]. There’s a weight off my shoulders now because I’ve finally lived up to those expectations.”

Ned Yost talked about Mike Montgomery’s big 12-strikeout performance over the weekend.

“You could tell (Montgomery) was right from the onset, he was on top of his game. Twelve punch outs, no walks, commanding his pitches. I take it back, I think he went 3-0 on the first hitter, I thought, ‘Oh man.’ He ended up striking him out, striking out the second hitter, striking out the third hitter. He looked great.”

Doc Riddle at Royals Farm Report continues his chat with Chase Vallot.

The Red Sox called up Chris Owings to hit lead off and it didn’t go well.

The Orioles defeat the Astros in one of the biggest gambling upsets in 15 years.

Tim Tebow’s season is over due to a hand injury.

The Cubs are slowly pulling away.

Mike Trout’s one rule for hitting.

Bo Bichette’s hot start makes the Blue Jays a team to watch for in the future.

The Astros aren’t worried they don’t have any left-handed relievers.

Some players that went undrafted have reached the big leagues this year.

The biggest statistical oddity in the minors is Gareth Morgan.

Simone Biles makes history with a triple-double in competition on the floor.

Kids aren’t playing enough sports because of cost.