:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67080279/1225701716.jpg.0.jpg)
Royals Rumblings - News for July 20, 2020
Brad Keller is back and wants to contribute, writes Lynn Worthy.
He expressed optimism he’d be able to build up quickly with a week before the season starts next Friday night.
“I think I can get up to 50-60 pitches, maybe even more,” Keller said. “I have faith in myself.”
Keller said he thought he could be ready for the second series of the season against the Detroit Tigers , but added “that’s out of my control.”
Jeffrey Flanagan looks at who might make the Opening Day roster.
Matheny has mentioned often in Summer Camp that he and his staff will have to get creative, possibly using some form of openers with Sparkman or López. Griffin is being stretched out, though if he makes the rotation early on, they’ll have to separate him from Montgomery in the order — their stuff and look on the mound is too similar to pitch on back-to-back days. And don’t rule out Singer making his big league debut in the rotation.
Also, lefty Mike Montgomery will start Monday's exhibition against Houston. That would appear to line him up for Saturday in Cleveland as well, though nothing announced. If that's the case, he also would get a start in Detroit, where he dominated in a game last August.
— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) July 19, 2020
Glenn Sparkman will start on Tuesday, Jesse Hahn on Wednesday. Have been advised not to read anything into that.
— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) July 19, 2020
He also writes that Bubba Starling is impressing in camp.
“The bat path looks really good,” Matheny said. “The top hand is strong, but not so strong that he is just rolling over. He’s kind of finding that sweet middle ground.
“He’s been working hard on situational hitting, too, and trying to put the ball in play with runners in scoring position. And to find a way to utilize his speed, like laying down a bunt for a hit.”
And that Brady Singer may be close to making this roster.
“I’ve been working on this for a long time,” he said. “I feel extremely good. I feel like this is the best I’m going to be right now. I feel like I’ve worked on everything as much as I can. I feel 100 percent ready to go.”
Lynn Worthy has more about Singer from Mike Matheny.
“Obviously, making it through that third time of the order you’ve got to start talking about guys with deeper repertoire, not necessarily a two-trick pony,” Matheny said. “That changeup is a valuable piece. It should be. I’m a huge changeup fan. I think it’s an equalizer from both sides of the plate. It is a good pitch for him. He got some good swings and misses from it (Friday).”
Alec Lewis writes that the Royals got a look at Ronald Bolaños early when Paul Gibson happened to catch one of his games.
Royals general manager Dayton Moore trusted the scouting opinions already provided by Jim Fregosi Jr., Cody Clark, Nate Adcock and Dave Oliver. Moore loved the idea of adding Bolaños to the Royals’ stable of pitching prospects. But then he received a text from Gibson.
“He didn’t have an official written report on him,” Moore said, “but he sent me a text and said he’d talked to (a Royals executive) about him. He knew the date he had seen Ronald, and where it was all from immediate recall. That gave us a lot of confidence.”
Infielder Matt Reynolds returns to camp after an absence.
Royals IF Matt Reynolds is here at the K today. First time since summer camp began. Tough situation, given he's not on the 40. But the Royals are going to work to give him as much work as possible.
— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) July 19, 2020
The Royals add reliever Jake Brentz to their 60-man club pool.
Former Royals pitcher Edinson Volquez considered retiring, but now he’ll be on the Rangers Opening Day roster.
Former Royals reliever Justin Grimm has made the Brewers roster.
The Blue Jays are denied approval to play home games in Toronto amid COVID-19 concerns.
The Twins release pitcher Jhoulys Chacin.
Yankees pitcher Domingo German clarifies that he is not retiring after a cryptic Instagram post.
Freddie Freeman recalls his scary bout with COVID-19.
Streaks and records that will be cut short by a 60-game season.
Which NL teams will benefit most from having a DH?
JJ Cooper writes that MLB is interested in consolidating MLB with minor league baseball.
Paul Sporer ranks starting pitchers for fantasy baseball, with Danny Duffy the highest-ranked Royals pitcher at #103.
NFL players voice concern over safety protocols.
Which college football coaches have taken pay cuts during the pandemic and which have not?
Taco Bell is removing its potato items, and vegetarians are mad.
A teenage prank may have been behind the massive Twitter hack that targeted Elon Musk and Barack Obama.
Palm Springs is the perfect comedy for when nothing matters anymore.
Your song of the day is Fine Young Cannibals with Don’t Look Back.