Weekend Rumblings - News for January 7, 2023

MLB Pipeline lists one potential breakout prospect for each team.

Royals: Carter Jensen, C (No. 13)

Pitchers Frank Mozzicato and Ben Kudrna were bigger names as Royals prep picks in the 2021 Draft, but don’t sleep on third-rounder Jensen heading into his second full season. Kansas City officials rave about the 19-year-old’s chances of becoming a well-rounded backstop, especially when it comes to his power and arm tools. Jensen hit 11 homers at Single-A Columbia in 2022, but if he could tap more into his pop and double that in year two while continuing to develop defensively, his path to being a Royals catcher of the future becomes all the clearer.

David Lesky at Inside the Crown looks forward to Royals prospects that could make their debut this year.

Tyler Gentry - He’s one of my favorite bats in the system and he hit .326/.422/.542 between High-A and AA. I’d guess he starts the year back at AA, though maybe he gets the AAA assignment. I think he’ll hit and he can play a solid right field, but I wonder if there’ll be enough power there. I say that, but even if he’s Mark Canha, that plays well enough to be a contributor. The question is if he can hit second or third or if he’ll need to hit in the sixth or seventh spot to provide value. Either way, I think he’s a big leaguer and probably by mid-season.

Bradford Doolittle at ESPN Insider writes about the one position that haunts each team.

2. Kansas City Royals

Position: RF (hole score: 48, added two in 2022)

Last green: Jermaine Dye era in 2000 (2% overall)

2022 review: The beat goes on. The only two green seasons the Royals have ever had in right field were when Dye was mashing for them in 1999 and 2000. That’s it — 54 seasons, comprising just two greens and 52 reds. The Royals got just 0.4 bWAR from right fielders in 2022. It was a hodge-podge of performers behind that number, with the since-traded Whit Merrifield garnering the most plate appearances at the spot.

The Beyond Baseball podcast talks to Vinnie Pasquantino.

The Yankees turn their attention to acquiring Bryan Reynolds from the Pirates.

Free agent signings have proceeded at a record pace.

Fernando Tatis Jr. is cleared to resume baseball activities.

What right-handed bats could help the Seattle Mariners?

An early ranking of next year’s free agent class.

Four developers make their pitch for redeveloping the home of the Tampa Bay Rays.

The internet has fun with Alex Rodriguez’s social media post of him shoveling snow.

Warriors owner Joe Lacob has interest in buying the Angels.

Bleacher Report ranks each MLB front office.

Former Padres All-Star Nate Colbert dies at age 76.

NFL owners approve a change to the AFC playoffs due to the canceled Bills/Bengals game.

USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter goes public about a domestic violence incident after allegedly being blackmailed over it.

Beauty retailer Morphe, once valued at $2 billion, has closed all its U.S. stores.

Scientists may have finally figured out why humans walk so weird.

New movies to look forward to in 2023.

Your song of the day is John Fogerty with The Old Man Down the Road.