Royals Rumblings - News for August 26, 2021

Royals Rumblings - News for August 26, 2021

Lynn Worthy writes that confidence has allowed Nicky Lopez to steal more bases this year.

“I guess I was maybe a little bit hesitant to run, didn’t have the confidence in running,” Lopez said during a recent home stand. “I like the way the year is going so far, personally. Obviously, I’d like to win more ballgames, but, personally, my confidence is there.

“I’m very positive this year. I think the confidence in base running has picked up too. I’m just kind of getting on base and looking for that next base so that the guys can drive me in.”

David Lesky at Inside the Crown likes that Brady Singer threw more change ups, but didn’t like the location.

In all, he threw eight changeups in 104 pitches. He’d thrown at least eight changeups on four different occasions, so maybe this is just a blip and recency bias, but I don’t remember him throwing them in the same leverage spots as he did last night. And he definitely hadn’t had the success on it given that he hadn’t struck out a single batter with it before last night this season. And, I’ll say it again, I really didn’t like his spots with it.

Craig Brown also had mixed feelings on the outing.

I’m conflicted. On one hand, it was certainly nice to see Singer throw eight changeups on the night. But he waited too long, unleashing six of them when he was facing the Astros the third time through the order. It would’ve been nice to see him unleash one or two of those when the Astros were threatening in the first. Just to see what would happen. But maybe this could be a springboard to using the pitch with an increased frequency. But given Singer’s history, I’m not sure I would count on that.

Alec Lewis profiles former player to be named later Dylan Coleman, who is flourishing in the minors.

The pitcher was a fourth-round pick in the 2018 MLB Draft. He had started in college at Missouri State and registered up to 96 mph on radar guns. After the draft, specifically in 2019, his velocity dipped. At times, he hit 92. Mostly, he hovered around 90 mph.

Almost two years later, the scout was seeing 101 mph fastballs and 88 mph sliders consistently landing for strikes and asking himself: “How the hell?”

The Orioles snap their 19-game losing streak, which got Joe Posnanski to remember the Royals’ 19-game losing streak in 2005.

“I don’t know what to say,” Buddy Bell said.

This was how I started my column the next day:

“The Royals are not going to win another baseball game this season. That’s clear now. They are going to lose the last 50 games this year. They are going to lose all 162 games next year. After that, it’s hard to tell. Maybe they will win a game in May 2007.”

Pete Grathoff looks back at when the Royals finally snapped the streak.

Buddy Bell, who was the Royals’ manager at the time, summed up the Royals 2-1 win this way in an interview with The Star’s Bob Dutton.

“I’ll be the master of the obvious,” Bell said, “We needed that win.”

MLB Pipeline ranks the Royals as the #5 farm system in baseball.

Mike Matheny is a fan of Ervin Santana’s veteran presence, writes Anne Rogers.

“He’s been fantastic across the board,” manager Mike Matheny said. “Always teaching, obviously got a heart for some of the Latin pitchers. Erv is one of those guys that you trust what he’s saying is going in the right direction to help these guys progress. And [then] he shows up when we need him to go in and get outs for us. His stuff looks good, and we’ve been able to use him in a lot of different roles. And he’s been open to whatever role, and [he] shows up here each day, almost the epitome of what you’d say you’d like a veteran pitcher or player to be and do. He’s been such a bright spot for our club this year.”

She also writes about how Mike Matheny gives his players the chance to do the lineup exchange before the game.

Kevin O’Brien at Royals Reporter looks at signs the young pitchers have turned things around.

Mark Van Sickel at Inside the Royals writes the Royals are having fun again.

The Phillies shake up their front office.

MLB announces the 2021 post-season schedule.

Noah Syndergaard is set to make a rehab start.

MLB seeks input from players on a pre-tacked baseball to prevent foreign substances.

ESPN polls players about what they would change about the game.

Who will be the next player to reach 500 home runs?

How the Braves flipped the NL East race.

The Pac 12 Conference announces plans for a conference baseball tournament in Arizona.

The time baseball was played among the pyramids of Egypt.

The Broncos name Teddy Bridgewater their starting quarterback.

Manchester City open to Cristiano Ronaldo deal after Harry Kane stays at Tottenham.

Moving to Spotify has cost Joe Rogan some of his audience.

A history of game show scandals.

Kanye West wants to legally change his name to “Ye”.

Your song of the day is BTS with Permission to Dance.