It is a great approach, especially for a hitter with his size and power. I've especially enjoyed Kwan and Oscar Gonzales this season too, but I'm going to be partial to the Guardians...
With the addition this spring of Jackie Bradley, Jr. (Prince George class of 2008, South Carolina), the Royals went into spring with 4 Richmond-area players on their roster. Can you imagine if there were a game where 4 of the 10 guys in the lineup were from RVA?
Unfortunately, Daniel Lynch suffered an arm injury that has been reported as something he shouldn't be out with for too long. So, we're still awaiting his first start of 2023. Fingers crossed.
After a bit of a slow start, Vinnie Pasquantino is now up to .293, which I think leads the team. His K rate is a bit higher than usual but not bad. He still has as many walks as K's (8). Highlights include a 3-3 outing against Jacob DeGrom earlier this week (2 doubles included) and 2 HR's, including a shot at SF that just missed bouncing into the bay.
Nate Eaton seems to have fallen into a utility and pinch runner role. He's off to a slow start offensively. Those who remember him also as a strong pitcher should have enjoyed his stint as the position player, mop-up reliever Monday, when he gave up 2 hits but no runs in 1 inning, striking out 1 and pumping mid-90's. Which is amazing for a guy who hasn't pitched in years.
I'm a little worried for JBJ. He's off to a very slow start as a reserve/defensive OF. KC picked him up off waivers from Boston, which means KC has almost no money tied up on him itself. On the one hand, that makes him a bargain for KC. On the other hand, it's not a lot of sunk cost if they were to release him. He actually swung the bat very well in spring training, so maybe if they can get him a few steady AB's things will look up.
Bradley hasn’t hit since 2020. That was a short season. He got his hit streak in. The last time he hit .240 in a full season was 2017.
The last Management of the royals really did a bad job, especially with developing pitchers.
Vinnie is really good and if witt and melendez can improve it could be a solid offense, it least the top and middle of the lineup, but pitching really has been bad.
There is a bit of hope though, they are trying to modernize the system and reportedly have sent some pitchers to driveline this off-season.
Still overall the rebuild so far hasn't worked all that great.
JBJ was a youth travel ball opponent of my son's and our team's, going back to fall 1998, and he was always fun to watch. The first time I ever saw him play, he was the catcher for a youth team called PG Gold -- the only guy they had who could handle the position at that tender age! He progressed to SS by high school, but I think everyone realized his future lay in the OF. He and my son became teammates for a couple of years, 2005-06, and we got to see him all the time there for a while. Time flies; he's 33 now, so I suppose it's fair to say his career may be winding down. But his career earnings are over $50 million, so ... it's been a wonderful ride for him and his family!
I do think KC is a long way from being a contender. The silver lining is that it presents a great opportunity for some young bucks to get a lot of playing time. They aren't languishing in AAA wondering when they'll get their shot. Their future is in their own hands.
Witt hasn't nearly hit his ceiling yet. He has a rare combination of speed, athleticism and power, so I'm guessing he'll be the face of that franchise for as long as they can hold onto him. BTW his father, the former MLB pitcher, was born in VA, and I seem to recall the closer had a brother (current player's uncle) who did some MLB scouting in our area once upon a time. So maybe we'll claim Witt, too? Haha
Sad week ... Vinnie on the IL, JBJ designated for assignment.
On the up side, Lynch has been back for a while now, and Eaton has been back up of late.
Vinnie P....out for the seams with a torn labrum. So sad.
@Master P - Vinnie's hometown newspaper is reporting that it is a torn right labrum. Vinnie throws and bats left handed so I'm hoping that is slightly good news given the circumstances. I've been wondering what's wrong with him as his numbers were down quite a bit this year. This makes sense. I'm hoping for a speedy and successful recovery to get ready for Spring Training 2024..
He's been the only bright side here in KC, personality wise as well as his play on the field. Its rough here, and now the owner wanted a new stadium downtown.