Royals Rumblings

Royals Rumblings - News for October 23, 2023

Can Collin Snider be an impact reliever?

By Max Rieper@maxrieper Oct 23, 2023, 8:00am EDT

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Beat writer Jaylon Thompson has a mailbag column and considers who the Royals might pursue this winter.

Picollo found success in the trade market with the additions of Cole Ragans, Nelson Velázquez and James McArthur. He could potentially swing another deal to acquire more talent.

Here is one thing to note: Picollo said the Royals have around $30 million coming off the books this offseason. That money presents an opportunity to chase a few solid free agents. The Royals need to add pitching.

I’ve mentioned this before, but I would like to see the Royals go after veteran pitcher Lucas Giolito and closer Will Smith.

Preston Farr at Farm to Fountains writes about sleeper prospects in the system.

Oscar Rayo is just 21 years old and made his second appearance in Low-A this season. He had a short stint there in 2022 but pitched just 23.0 innings. He tossed just over 70 innings this season and was outstanding. His 18.7% K-BB% this season was better than Chandler Champlain and Paul Splittorff Award Winner, Mason Barnett. His 13.8% swinging strike rate was better than Noah Cameron and Eric Cerantola.

Rayo finished his season 5-2 with a 3.15 ERA. He allowed just one home run all season and walked a paltry 1.51 batters per nine innings. He misses bats, he limits hard contact, and he doesn’t give free passes. Much like Emmanuel Reyes, Rayo looks to be very mature on the mound for such a young age and I could see him taking an even larger leap forward next season as a full-time starter.

Kevin O’Brien at Royals Reporter thinks Collin Snider can make an impact next year.

Honestly, in terms of stuff, I think Snider may be one of the Royals’ more high-upside relievers. The sweeper and cutter are both legitimate in terms of pitch quality, and Snider’s five-pitch mix makes him a tough reliever to scout.

The big challenge going forward will be how Snider limits the walks this spring and in 2024. While the stuff certainly is enticing, Snider cannot succeed with a walk rate that was 2.1% higher than his K rate, as it was last season.

A key to minimizing that walk rate will be for Snider to increase the chases next year.

Jacob Milham at Kings of Kauffman looks at the thin depth at first base in the organization.

Astros reliever Bryan Abreu receives a two-game suspension for plunking Adolis Garcia.

Tyler Glasnow really, really wants to stay with the Rays.

Why can’t the Red Sox find a GM?

The Giants receive permission to interview Padres manager Bob Melvin.

San Francisco will also interview Red Sox coach Jason Varitek for the managerial opening.

Former Royals reliever Gabe Speier talks about his success with the Mariners.

The A’s aren’t the analytical team they used to be.

The Marlins part ways with their director of scouting.

Which draft picks would each team forfeit by signing a qualified free agent?

Baseball has a long history of people complaining games take too long.

The Hanshin Tigers will face the Orix Buffaloes in the Japan Series.