Royals - Spring Training

[SubGod22]

Hot-hitting Cain belts homer in Royals' win

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Lorenzo Cain, who's been leading all Major League hitters in Spring Training, belted a home run and kept his average at .500, as the Kansas City Royals beat the Oakland Athletics, 8-3, on Wednesday at Surprise Stadium.
Cain hit his third home run over the left-field wall leading off the second inning against right-hander Graham Godfrey. Cain went 1-for-2 and is 17-for-34 with 10 extra-base hits.

Royals starter Luis Mendoza was struck by a shot off the bat of Brandon Allen to start the second inning and was taken out of the game with a bruised left hamstring. His availability was listed as day to day. His one-plus scoreless innings lowered his ERA to 0.77.

"It's just sore right now," Mendoza said. "It hit the back of the leg in the muscle. It's nothing serious."
Greg Holland fanned four A's, boosting his strikeout total to 12 in seven innings, but was taken out with two on and two out in the fifth. Both runners scored against Jose Mijares on a wild pitch, two walks and an infield single.

It's only spring training, but there are some positives going on here. Cain being able to hit is a big deal for KC. If Mendoza has somehow learned to pitch as effectively as he showed last season and this spring, that's a pleasant surprise.

[SubGod22]

Yost remains patient with second basemen

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Ned Yost isn't in a hurry to pick a second baseman among Johnny Giavotella, Chris Getz and Yuniesky Betancourt.

"I don't want to float any preconceived ideas," the Royals' manager said before Thursday's split-squad games. "The next 10 days are going to be really important. There's nothing to really talk about right now. Nobody's really played themselves out of it. And all of 'em are still getting' after it and doing relatively good. Getzy's doing real well, Yuni's doing fine and, yeah, Johnny's struggling a little bit offensively but we know Johnny can hit and he's just two or three days away from hitting .400 especially with [a low number] of at-bats."
Giavotella is hitting just .220 (9-for-41) although offense is considered his strong suit. Getz, a defensive standout, has a .333 (8-for-24) mark. Betancourt, signed as a backup infielder, is at .256 (10-for-39) with four doubles and a homer.

Cain earns vote of confidence from Yost

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Somewhere out of the media coverage on the Royals' most recent trade floated a notion that Jason Bourgeois would have a chance to knock Lorenzo Cain out of the center-field job.

Manager Ned Yost swatted that as flat as a troublesome fly.
"Nobody's knockin' Cain out of center field," he said.

[Awesome Sauce Malone]

I did some calculation using WAR (wins above replacment) and for the Royal to be contender they need ~40% increase in production. That is not as hard as it sounds. It really mean that Gordon has a simliar year, Moustakas and Hosmer emerge as all-star type production and have the pitching staff pick it up (and at least one starter emerge as all-star type performance). And the rest of the team provide solid performances at starter level.

The move for a catcher didn't help things - as he is pretty much 0 to negative WAR guy.

In simpler terms if the team produces offensively much like last year and the pitching exceeds expectations they will contend. The buggest head scratcher about the recent trade is they gave up a prospect for absolutely nothing. Both will be gone by the deadline for nothing more than roster filler on the A level. Quintero is supposed the best option defensively but horrible at the plate. Lets hope the Royals can exceed expectations offensively

[SubGod22]

Hottovy keeps spotless ERA intact

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Left-hander Tommy Hottovy, a Kansas City product trying to land a bullpen job with his hometown team, kept his spring ERA at 0.00 with 2 1/3 scoreless innings against the Brewers on Sunday.

A sidearmer, Hottovy gave up two hits, no walks and had three strikeouts. He gave up an RBI single immediately after entering the game, but the run was charged to starter Felipe Paulino.
Hottovy has worked 8 1/3 innings in seven games without being charged with a run.

Gio optioned, stuck with Getz

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Royals' second-base situation was clarified on Sunday when Johnny Giavotella was optioned to Triple-A Omaha.

Giavotella, who finished last season as the regular second baseman, came into camp expected to continue in the job, but he was nudged out by Chris Getz and Yuniesky Betancourt.

The Royals also optioned outfielder Jarrod Dyson and pitcher Vin Mazzaro to Omaha. Re-assigned to Minor League camp were pitcher Zach Miner, catcher Cody Clark and infielders Tony Abreu and Irving Falu. Outfielder Greg Golson was dealt to the Chicago White Sox for cash and assigned to their Triple-A club.

[SubGod22]

And Down Goes Giavotella

So, anything happen this weekend?

I know, it was hard to keep track of everything, what with Nebraska hiring a new basketball coach and all…

In all seriousness, you have to give Ned Yost and Dayton Moore some credit for not being afraid to make a decision, and make it early. The due determined their position players – starters and bench – with ten spring training games left to play.

Second base? That will be Chris Getz and Yuniesky Betancourt in the Hillman-esque ‘mix and match’ scenario. Fifth outfielder? Well, we all are going to have to learn how to both say and spell Jason Bourgeois as Jarrod Dyson was sent down before Sunday’s game as well.

Now, on the Dyson front the reason was not so thinly veiled by Ned Yost: “He still hits too many fly balls.” To me, that is a pretty obvious indication that the Royals want Dyson to slap and run and Jarrod still wants to swing away. Some guys never get it, some guys turn into Willie Wilson (and it took Willie a good two years to figure that out as well). While Bourgeois does not bring that late inning, game changing ability that Dyson does in the role of pinch runner extraordinaire, he theoretically gives the Royals better bench flexibility (right handed hitter and some idea where to stand at second or third base).

I have to agree with him here. I understand, but at the same time, I don't fully understand...

[SubGod22]

What Are We Doing And Where Are We Going?

The Royals’ Johnny Giavotella was optioned to Triple-A Omaha Sunday, and it was announced that Chris Getz and Yuniesky Betancourt would split time at 2B position.

Let that sink in for a moment and marinate.

It’s a depressing, infuriating and absolutely perplexing decision by the Royals’ front office that appears to be more lost and confused about its own direction every day. Ned Yost stated it was so Giavotella can work on his defense, whatever that means. Giavotella hit .250 and made one error all spring, so it’s unclear what the problem was exactly. This isn’t an article about the move, why it was made, or analysis about the reasons it was made, though. There are more than enough great Royals blogs and sites that I’m sure will come up with some sort of positive and intelligent reason this move was made and how it’s going to make Giavotella a better player. That’s the amazing thing about the Royals blogs/fan community – they are intelligent, thoughtful, passionate and, most importantly, great at finding the positive in every move no matter the circumstance.

I was like that once – I really was. I was able to overlook the inferior product on the field by voicing my excitement and pleasure with the farm system Dayton Moore has built. Like many Royal fans, it got me through the long and dreary July and August months as the big league club tumbled into the annual last place abyss. While the depth of the starting pitching is clearly not what it once was thought to be, I am still very confident in the current front office’s ability to build a deep system. It was always done under the premise that someday the time would come for that talent to materialize at the big league level, and now I wonder if it’s ever really going to happen.

[SB Shock]

I don't understand? Giavotella is a guy who has hit 0.322/0.395/0.460 and 0338/0.390/0.376 the last 2 years in the minors (AA and AAA). But you are going to give Getz/Betancourt. If you want to win you are going to have to take some risks with your younger guys who have some upside. If you want to continue to be mediocre then go ahead start guys who are utility material instead of starters.

[newshock1234]

dam I really thought we were down with Chris Getz being a everyday starter

[SubGod22]

Mendoza keeps name in rotation talk

He's been working exceptionally well, giving up just one run in 16 2/3 innings for a 0.54 ERA. He's notched 16 strikeouts against three walks and has held opponents to a .180 average. His record in five starts is 4-0, but victory No. 5 escaped on Monday when the Giants rallied to deal the Royals a 4-2 loss.

Cain considered for Royals' No. 2 slot

PHOENIX -- Manager Ned Yost sounds as if he's leaning toward center fielder Lorenzo Cain as his No. 2 hitter in the Royals' batting order.

"I'm not ready to set it in stone, but I like the way Cain sets up in the two-hole right now," Yost said. "I'm still kind of mulling it. If you've got [Eric] Hosmer, [Jeff] Francoeur, [Billy] Butler behind you, Cain might see more fastballs. And he can freakin' lean on a fastball. So we'll see."

Cain has been one of the Majors' leading hitters this spring and is batting .431. He would provide a right-handed bat between Alex Gordon and Hosmer, both lefties.

Bettancourt dazzles again at second base

PHOENIX -- Yuniesky Betancourt demonstrated on Tuesday why he's captured such attention as a second baseman for the Royals in training camp.

In the fifth inning of a 9-7 victory over the Brewers, there was a runner at first base when Betancourt went behind the bag to backhand Yovani Gallardo's grounder and, heading toward center field, he threw the ball behind his back to shortstop Alcides Escobar.

Escobar grabbed the ball, stepped on the base and relayed to first baseman Eric Hosmer for a double play.

Chen tabbed as Opening Day starter

PHOENIX -- Left-hander Bruce Chen pitched his way out of the Spring Training doldrums and into his first start as an Opening Day pitcher.

Royals manager Ned Yost announced after Tuesday's game that Chen would start the April 6 opener against the Los Angeles Angels at Anaheim. Right-hander Luke Hochevar will start the second game and left-hander Jonathan Sanchez the third game of the opening series.

"I think Bruce can keep us in ballgames against No. 1 starters, and then we've got Hoch and Sanchy coming up behind him that'll keep us in ballgames against No. 2 and No. 3 starters," Yost said. "So we like the way it sets up. It keeps our balance between left-right and Bruce deserves it, he earned it."

[SubGod22]

Some thoughts on some things

Spring Training. Is it over yet? We really need some actual games. Here are a variety of things on my mind in these closing hours of fake games in what seems to be the fake Arizona sun.

• Getz and Yuni at 2nd base? Really? Ugh. The Royals have been steadily eating away at their run scoring potential during this off-season. The only player who had a lower walk rate than Yuni with more than 270 plate appearances in 2011 was Humberto Quintaro. Both will feature prominently in the lineup.

• I keep hearing about how Chris Getz has a new offensive approach. No, just no. Players don’t just change their offensive ability in an off-season. Getz will be Getz. He’ll be an average defender with a well below average bat. He’ll also get a ton of plate appearances along with Yuni, who also can’t hit.

• How about something not completely depressing…check out this video of Cheslor Cuthbert. He’s one of my favorite Royals prospects and the video is a good example. He’s a solid defender with a sweet swing. This is the guy to keep your eye on this season.

Chen Music Will Play The Opener

The whole Opening Day starter thing is waaaaay overblown. Who really cares? I mean, other than the starter?

There is one thing that kind of bugs me about Chen getting the ball for Opening Day. One would assume it’s a reward handed to the best pitcher on your staff. In the Royals case, there isn’t exactly a stand out starter in the rotation. Fine. All winter the Royals have said there were three locks for the rotation: Hochevar, Chen and Sanchez. Understandable. Those three represent the three pillars of roster building: The high draft pick. The big money free agent.* And the big trade.

Given the pedigrees and the financial commitments, it’s no wonder these three guys were “locks.”
*Please bear with me here. When I say “big money” free agent, it’s relative. Although Chen did represent Dayton Moore’s most aggressive foray into the free agent market since 2008 when he splashed the cash on Kyle Farnsworth. So yes, Chen was a big free agent signing. And yes, that’s sad.

So what bothers me about Chen as the Opening Day starter is the fact he’s been horrible this spring. (At least before his start on Tuesday when he pitched six strong innings before faltering in the seventh.) It’s part of baseball’s caste system I suppose, where a guy like Johnny Giavotella has to battle Chris Getz and Yuniesky Betancourt for a roster spot – and is ultimately demoted for a sub-par spring. Meanwhile, Chen owns an 11.25 ERA in 18 innings where batters are hitting .405 against him and he gets the Opening Day carrot. Ahh… the luxury of being the veteran.

[RoyalShock]

I don't understand? Giavotella is a guy who has hit 0.322/0.395/0.460 and 0338/0.390/0.376 the last 2 years in the minors (AA and AAA). But you are going to give Getz/Betancourt. If you want to win you are going to have to take some risks with your younger guys who have some upside. If you want to continue to be mediocre then go ahead start guys who are utility material instead of starters.

Right or wrong, I believe the decision has little to do with offense and everything to do with defense. IIRC, Moore has said he greatly values defense up the middle and that is the knock on Giavotella.

IMO, this is the year you let a guy like Johnny play through his mistakes in the bigs.

[SubGod22]

Exactly. Especially when 3 of the 4 up the middle have little stick

[Awesome Sauce Malone]

Alex Gordon's deal: 4 years/$37.5 mil. 12: $6 mil, 13: $9 mil, 14: $10 mil, 15: $12.5 mil. Player option in 2016 is for $12.5 mil #Royals

Per Robert Ford twitter acct

[BostonWu]

I'm currently in Vegas. The over/under for Hosmer season hr total is 21.5. Doesn't that seem low?

[SubGod22]

I'd think he'd surpass that total.