Royals Rumblings - News for August 17, 2021

Royals Rumblings - News for August 17, 2021

Lynn Worthy writes about Salvador Perez’s elite season.

Getting to 42 home runs would also give Perez the third-highest total by anyone who played at least 75% of his games as a catcher. In that group, Johnny Bench (45 homers in 1970) and Javy López (43 homers in 2003) have hit the most.

“If I’m healthy, I’m going to play,” Perez said. “I’m going to play every day. I think the opportunities come when you play, when you have that chance. Hopefully, I can hit more. Still one month and a half.”

At Inside the Crown, David Lesky writes about Dayton Moore’s job security.

What I had heard a few weeks ago wasn’t so much that Moore was in jeopardy of losing his job but rather that the new ownership group was still evaluating him. And that’s perfectly fair. Their first season with the team was the pandemic-shortened season, so how much could they really learn with that small of a schedule and that weird of a setting? And now they’re in their first full season. I pegged them for 76 wins. PECOTA, I believe, had them around 71 or 72 wins. They’re on pace for 68. That’s really not that far off from projections. If they win seven of 10, hardly a scorching hot streak, they’d be back on pace for 72....

But I think about weekends like this past one where the Royals were both wholly uncompetitive on the field and the stands were, at best, 50/50 with the opponent’s fans, and I wonder a little if an ownership group doesn’t see that combination is incredibly damning for a front office that has taken this franchise to the pinnacle but also has presided over what will be an 11th losing season in 15 full years of running the franchise.

Mike Matheny had more details on Adalberto Mondesi’s setback.

Royals manager Mike Matheny said the latest issue Mondesi has dealt with was the result of scar tissue from the right oblique strain he suffered at the end of spring training. That injury kept him on the IL from the start of the season until May 24.

Mondesi did work out Monday afternoon on the field at Kauffman Stadium. Matheny said for the time being, Mondesi will continue to do fielding, throwing and running work.

Craig Brown at Into the Fountains reacts to Mondesi’s injuries.

The tendency is to just throw up your hands and shut him down for the year. What’s the point? Well, I’m thinking the point is, as long as there are games to be played and as long as the injury recovery time is measured in weeks rather than months (although with Mondesi that is probably wishful thinking), the player needs to be working himself back to full strength and to the team. Just give us something. The good news is (and I’m really stretching here) is that the minor league season stretches all the way to October this year, so there is plenty of opportunity for Mondesi to complete a full rehab assignment in Triple-A, pending the health of the oblique.

John Sorce at Royals Farm Report profiles draft pick Shane Panzini.

Alcides Escobar had a nice message to Whit Merrifield for breaking his Royals consecutive games played mark.

Kevin O’Brien at Royals Reporter writes that Michael Taylor has been a nice surprise.

The Padres sign pitcher Jake Arrieta, who was let go by the Cubs last week.

Fresh off an Olympic medal, reliever David Robertson signs with the Rays.

Are the White Sox ready for post-season baseball?

Which contenders have the best and worst schedules down the stretch.

A look at each team’s top impending free agent.

A few interesting facts about sinkers.

The Cubs will open a team Hall of Fame.

Trevor Bauer’s hearing on a restraining order begins with testimony from his accuser.

A rare Honus Wagner card sells for $6.6 million.

Mike Schur will develop a Field of Dreams television series for Peacock.

How shot-tracking is changing the way basketball players fix their game.

What would a Field of Dreams game look like in each sport?

The drought-choked Colorado River faces an unprecedented water shortage.

Saturn may have a “fuzzy” core, according to new research.

Your song of the day is Guess Who with These Eyes.