Royals Rumblings - News for August 13, 2019

Royals Rumblings - News for August 13, 2019

Lynn Worthy writes that Ian Kennedy has entered a select group.

Kennedy, who moved to the bullpen this season after having spent his career as a starter, recorded his 20th save on July 28, becoming the sixth pitcher since 1969 (when saves became an official statistic) to compile a 20-win season and a 20-save season, according to Sportsradar.

He joined a group with John Smoltz, Mudcat Grant, Wilbur Wood, Dennis Eckersley and Derek Lowe.

“I think that guys like Kimbrel, there’s a special guy that throws the ninth inning,” Kennedy said between glances at the television. “We’ve seen it where some guys may not be able to handle it well. They throw great in the eighth inning, but they have to learn how to throw the ninth inning. And I don’t know. I just kinda got put into it.”

Jorge Soler is named American League Player of the Week.

Soler won American League Player of the Week honors after hitting .409/.552/1.273 in the Royals’ seven games. He went deep in all three of Kansas City’s wins during the week and had two multi-homer games.

Alec Lewis looks at what Royals minor leaguers could be protected from the Rule 5 draft.

Nick Heath, CF (25)

We’ll start with some easy ones, and Heath certainly fits the bill. Kansas City selected Heath in the 16th round in 2016. He played two seasons at Northwestern State, flashing the speed the Royals love in each of their prospects. He not only set a record with 43 career stolen bases in the Hamptons summer league, but he also has an impressive bloodline. His mother, Kimberly Milleson, ran track at Kansas State and competed at the 1988 Olympic Trials.

That speed has been evident in Heath’s four years in the Royals organization. In 84 games at Double-A Northwest Arkansas this season, Heath stole 50 bases.

Kris Bubic is mentioned in the Baseball America Hot Sheet this week for his 11-strikeout complete game last week.

Alex Duvall at Royals Farm Report profiles first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino.

Royals minor league pitcher Josh Mitchell was on the Turn a Pair Podcast.

Awful Announcing has the results of their local announcer survey rankings.

The Reds claim shortstop Freddy Galvis off waivers from the Blue Jays.

Evan Dreilich at The Athletic has an oral history of the 1994 strike.

A look at the fans who never came back after the strike.

Greg Holland signs with the Nationals.

Ranking the best rotations of all time.

The Angelos family may be selling the Orioles, but could the team end up in Nashville?

Alex Rodriguez has half a million dollars worth of loot stolen from his car.

Would the Yankees’ ban on facial hair stand up to legal scrutiny?

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott reportedly turns down a $30 million-per-year offer.

The viral “fish tube” video, explained.

Tumblr, once sold for $1.1 billion, is sold to Wordpress for $3 million.

The 25-most important fictional characters of the last 25 years.

Your song of the day is The Dead South with Gunslinger’s Glory.