KC Royals - April

[SPEShockAlum]

Has Alex Gordon finally figured it out or is he just on a hot streak?

Possibly. Who would've thought that his BA would be higher than Billy's (although you could say it's about equal)? He is still striking out about 20% of the time, has 10 fewer walks than Billy, but yet still has the same production numbers. I'd say that if he can get on base via the free pass and cut down on strikeouts that have plagued him for years, then "yes", he will have figured it out and the team's overall production will improve.

[SubGod22]

Has Alex Gordon finally figured it out or is he just on a hot streak?

Possibly. Who would've thought that his BA would be higher than Billy's (although you could say it's about equal)? He is still striking out about 20% of the time, has 10 fewer walks than Billy, but yet still has the same production numbers. I'd say that if he can get on base via the free pass and cut down on strikeouts that have plagued him for years, then "yes", he will have figured it out and the team's overall production will improve.

Kevin Seitzer is the man!

[Shocker85]

Went to the game Thursday night vs. Mariners.

Offensively, the Royals have a nice looking team. They were squaring the ball up well and really driving it. If the middle of the order can continue to blister the ball and with the speed on the roster, they will score runs.

They look pretty solid on defense as well. Melkey Cabrera made 2 really nice catches in CF and Escobar had one great play on a grounder and a really nice play on an over-the-shoulder catch in CF - he ran a mile. One error was sort of a tough play for Betimit on a bunt, but Kila had an inexcusable muff on a catch - nothing more than a brain cramp.

The starting pitching might be the fatal downfall this season. Last night, Chen was spotting well and killing the Mariners with off-spead stuff. I'm not sure he threw a fastball the first time through the order. We'll see how this rag-tag bunch holds up through the grind.

The youngsters in the 'pen have been pretty good. Soria is Soria - mostly good with a blow-up every now and then. I think the pen could be much more reliable than in recent seasons.

I though the Royals might not win 60 games because of the starting pitching. So far they're just outscoring the opponents, and if that keeps up, they could finish with 70-75 wins.

I gotta say, I'm still amazed how the Royals turned that rather bland stadium into a very, very nice ballpark. It is a visual treat to experience and attending games is fun again.

--'85.

[SubGod22]

These aren't the starting pitchers we'll see in the next year or two. Chen is doing a wonderful job and doing what he has to. Francis seems to be a nice veteran pickup whose pitched well. Hochevar could still be a back of the rotation guy. I can't wait until the younger guys start getting chances.

Crow has looked very good in the pen and I'm pretty sure he'll get a shot at some point. Then you figure between Monty, Lamb, Dwyer and Duffy that at least one of them will work out. Then there's Will Smith and Tim Melville a few more years away and a couple of other names that escape me at the moment. We really need two or three of the kids to make it in the next year or so and I think that'll happen. There are some other productive arms in the minors to fill out the pen and maybe back of the rotation.

The K is a BEAUTIFUL site with all that they've done. I'm pretty excited that it gets to be showcased next summer for the All Star game.

[RoyalShock]

Jake Odirizzi and Noel Arguellas are probably the other names you were trying to think of, Sub.

I have yet to attend the "new" K, but plan to in August. I never thought it was bland, but I'm also not one to care as much about the "box" as others do. I go to watch the game, not marvel at amenities. Don't get me wrong, amenities are nice, just not important to me.

As for Gordon, he should see a slight improvement in K/BB just based on the fact he is more confident in his swing now and making better contact. Of course, his walks are going to go down, too, I suspect, keeping his ratio about the same. But I'll take the improved AVG and SLG. As pitchers start respecting him more, we could see his K/BB ratio improve.

[Shocker85]

I have yet to attend the "new" K, but plan to in August. I never thought it was bland, but I'm also not one to care as much about the "box" as others do. I go to watch the game, not marvel at amenities. Don't get me wrong, amenities are nice, just not important to me.

I'm somewhat of a baseball purist as well, and I would have said the same thing a couple summers ago, but the difference in the stadium is striking. It really helps the entire family enjoy the game more, IMO. Having the All-Star game there will be nice. I have no doubt there will be glowing commentary from national media. I expect it to be a tough ticket to get as well.

But, we're getting ahead of ourselves ... at some point Royals ownership will have to step up and pay to keep players. Not all will develop into ML ballplayers at the same pace and ownership will have to bridge some gaps to try to win the division. If they don't, the Royals become essentially a AAAA club and all that potential keeps moving on.

At any rate, it is a fun team to watch, right now.

--'85.

[RoyalShock]

I have every reason to believe that under Moore's leadership Glass will open his pocketbook when the time - or more accurately, results - arrive.

The purse-strings were tight under Baird, and for good reason. I wouldn't have trusted him, either. Since Moore arrived Glass was willing to overspend for Meche and Guillen, as well as get Greinke, Soria and Butler signed to contract extensions..

[SubGod22]

There will be tough decisions made at times about who to sign and who to part ways with. We will never have New York or Boston type of money with the way things are, but it appears everything is headed in the right direction and the youth will generate more money through ticket sales and merchandise and advertising and the wins will come.

[newshock1234]

wow Escobar just made one of the best defensive plays i have ever seen by a royals shortstop

[XManCometh]

wow Escobar just made one of the best defensive plays i have ever seen by a royals shortstop

That's not saying much. ;)


Amazing play though!

[RoyalShock]

10-4 good buddy!

[ShockerFever]

Eerily quiet in here for such a hot start. Either everyone's out in KC trying to enjoy every minute they can or they're keeping quiet because they fear the inevitable.

[newshock1234]

Eerily quiet in here for such a hot start. Either everyone's out in KC trying to enjoy every minute they can or they're keeping quiet because they fear the inevitable.

Im enjoying the start, but im waiting til june or so before i get hyped, ive been burned way to many times with this organization. I really dont think their starting pitching is good enough to play at this level for the whole season, but hey i hope they prove me wrong. 8)

[SubGod22]

A chance to take over first place in the Indians series and we start off with Davies :banghead: I hope he can be effective enough to give us a shot. At least get it to the pen in decent shape.

[SubGod22]

Everything is upside-down in AL Central