Royals Rumblings - News for February 16, 2021
TC Zenka at MLB Trade Rumors writes about how the Andrew Benintendi trade went down.
Despite the Royals’ belief in Franchy Cordero’s power potential – Picollo invoked the name of David Ortiz in comparison as a late-blooming power bat – Benintendi better fits the needs of their ball club. To replace the legendary Alex Gordon in left, the Royals had explored a pact with Jurickson Profar, notes Worthy. But the Padres’ three-year commitment to Profar ultimately proved a pricier acquisition than Benintendi by quite a bit in terms of pure dollars, especially since Boston is chipping in cash to help with his $6.6MM salary this season.
The Royals plan to utilize Benintendi near the top of the order, probably in the two-hole.
David Adler at MLB.com lists the Royals as one team that could surprise people in 2021.
On the pitching staff, Brady Singer could be a breakout starter in 2021 (3.98 expected ERA as a rookie based on his quality of contact allowed), Josh Staumont is the hardest-throwing reliever in baseball right now (only pitcher with a 102 mph strikeout in 2020), Brad Keller is a ground-ball machine (2.47 ERA in 2020 thanks to a 53% ground-ball rate), and if the return of Mike Minor pans out like the return of Greg Holland did last year, this staff has potential.
Alex Duvall at Royals Farm Report looks at the top shortstop prospects in the system with Bobby Witt, Jr. topping the list.
The idea of Witt having question marks surrounding his hit tool is overblown. His ability to control the barrel of the bat through the zone is impressive and he drives the ball with authority, even if we haven’t seen him unlock his mammoth raw power just yet. Between his potential to be a 25 HR/25 SB stalwart in the middle of a big league lineup, and his ability to play Gold Glove-caliber defense at SS, Bobby Witt Jr. is the future for the Kansas City Royals.
Anne Rogers writes about the best draft picks in Royals history.
4) Willie Wilson, OF
Drafted 18th overall in the 1974 MLB Draft
The Royals took Wilson out of Summit High School in New Jersey in 1974, and he debuted two years later. But his first full season wasn’t until 1978, and he started to really take off in ‘79. The outfielder led the AL in triples five times. Wilson finished with a franchise-record 612 stolen bases and ranks third in club history with 1,060 runs scored. He also holds the all-time Royals record with 13 career inside-the-park home runs.
The exhibition game between the Royals and Northwest Arkansas Naturals in March has been postponed.
The Twins sign pitcher Matt Shoemaker to a one-year deal.
Former Royals pitcher Mike Montgomery signs a minor league deal with the Mets.
Matt Harvey agrees to a minor league deal with the Orioles.
Jason Kipnis signs a minor league deal with the Braves.
The Yankees sign lefty reliever Justin Wilson.
Kevin Pillar signs with the Mets.
USA Today gives their win projections for each team, with 72 for the Royals.
Kevin Goldstein at Fangraphs looks at the obstacles for scouts this year.
The winners and losers of baseball’s off-season.
A look at this year’s top 50 draft prospects.
Baseball America looked at how each team does developing prospects long-term.
Former NFL wideout Vincent Jackson is found dead at age 38.
University of Central Florida hires Gus Malzahn.
Scientists may solve Amelia Earhart’s mystery disappearance with a nuclear reactor.
There is an amazing amount of life hundreds of feet below the Antarctic ice sheet, but how?
Who really created the Marvel Universe?
Your song of the day is Buster Poindexter with Hot Hot Hot.