Royals

[Back2Lawrence]

WAR +.4!!!

Exactly. And 2-3 win players are great players. That’s what Sal’s been, on average. But the Royals need a couple who routinely put up 4+.

m
Then theoretically, the royals might be on pace to win 60 games!!!

[Sparko]

I can't believe how bad the team has played after looking lively in Spring Training. Again.

[Back2Lawrence]

I can't believe how bad the team has played after looking lively in Spring Training. Again.

They looked lovely for 2 1/2 weeks. Then looked about like this.

I just looked at box score. Unbelievable that 5 starters tonight batting under .200, with two more at .205 and .204, respectively. Eeek

[pdub]

Team average was .218 last I checked.

[Sparko]

Pitching clock is not being fairly administered. Key at bat and Sonny Gray misses the time and the plate but gets a called third strike. Even when the Royals do the right thing, they are being hosed. Always rears it head. I also think the Twins are using some type of juiced bats. Buxton hit a good fastball 453 ft in dense cold air against the wind.

[pdub]

It's a race for worst!
Royals vs A's.

[NewtonHawk11]

White Sox aren't far behind!

[Sparko]

It is how the Royals are losing too. Just not playing smart baseball. Not bunting at all, and always over-swinging. They are rock-bottom and surely someone has to have noticed how badly coached they are.

[jhawks99]

Royals on espn + tonight. Good timing, they're kicking oriole butt.

[Sparko]

Someone reading our board. Pratto out there playing defense. Stretching hits. Let's keep it up

[NewtonHawk11]

Royals finally DFA Dozier. About damn time.

[Sparko]

Got into an argument with a guy telling me that Dozier has elite speed. Might be Dozier or one of his buddies. He couldn't beat out a deep fielding error the other night. He got the guaranteed money and just tanked. Almost -4 WAR. Hitting a solid 186. He has been among the worst Royals ever to get 1000 at bats. We all saw this years ago. Walking 6-4-3.

Moore should have been fired for that contract alone. Still owe him more than $10M.

[pdub]

Meanwhile:

The jury remains out:

Bobby Witt

Peak ESPN prospect ranking: No. 2 (2022)
Background: The son of longtime major league pitcher Bobby Witt, the Royals drafted Witt Jr. second overall in 2019 and he shot up prospect lists after a monster 2021 minor league season in which he hit .290 with 33 home runs and 29 steals between Double-A and Triple-A (after skipping over High-A completely). His 2022 rookie season was a mixed bag with an exciting power (20 home runs) and speed (30 steals) combo, but a .294 OBP and poor defensive metrics.

2023: .226/.267/.410, 7 HR, 19 RBI, 0.4 WAR
This is a tough one. The 30-30 potential remains there, as he has 13 stolen bases and has clocked the second-fastest sprint speed in the majors to go with those seven home runs. Importantly, he appeared to turn the corner on defense now that he's at shortstop full time...The problem is that a .267 OBP won't cut it. Or let's put it this way: Even with power, speed and defense, a .272 OBP limits your value...Witt is still very young -- he doesn't turn 23 until June 14 -- and his tools are remarkable, but the pitch recognition and approach have to get better.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/ ... rman-marsh

[NewtonHawk11]

Put him at 3rd now that Dozier is gone. Let him rest those legs for when he's at the plate and call it good. He's got the arm to play 3rd. Put Lopez over there at SS and let him do his thing there.

[Sparko]

Put him at 3rd now that Dozier is gone. Let him rest those legs for when he's at the plate and call it good. He's got the arm to play 3rd. Put Lopez over there at SS and let him do his thing there.

Exactly Newton. Another common argument I get is Witt is a great SS. Not so much. Erratic arm and tends to break late. Third is where you keep your franchise.

[Sparko]

It is how the Royals are losing too. Just not playing smart baseball. Not bunting at all, and always over-swinging. They are rock-bottom and surely someone has to have noticed how badly coached they are.

Witt got his first ever bunt single. Stole a base and scored. Crazy it has taken this long to play smart baseball. Then Witt made an astonishing error the next inning on an easy doubleplay grounder. Massey bailed him out with a diving save on the next batter. 4-1 Royals. 15 wins. Small steps.

Third base, Witt. Please.

[Sparko]

Was in an argument with a Royals fan over Q. When do you fire someone who is grossly ineffective? Seems like this would be a good time before we end the season with 30 wins.

[Sparko]

Man Q is a terrible manager.

[jfish26]

Not sure what he's supposed to do with this roster. The Royals are, seemingly as always, two years away from being two years away.

[NewtonHawk11]

Not sure what he's supposed to do with this roster. The Royals are, seemingly as always, two years away from being two years away.

What Fish said.