KC Royals - post Hillman

[SubGod22]

Rany's take on the Greinke trade

[RoyalShock]

Rany's take on the Greinke trade

I read that earlier today. Very good read.

[SubGod22]

Greinke's light always shone through
I enjoyed reading this piece by Dick Kaegel about Zack.

[SubGod22]

KC looking to see what prospects can do in '11

The first Draft choice made under Dayton's direction came in 2007, when third baseman Mike Moustakas was grabbed out of Chatsworth (Calif.) High. Now he's on the cusp of arriving in Kansas City, although Moore soft-pedals his chances of arriving on Opening Day. Maybe later in the year, he says. There's also a slew of pitchers, many of them left-handed, who are about to burst onto the big league scene. Kids like Danny Duffy, Everett Teaford and Aaron Crow might have a shot at the rotation. Other kids could break into the bullpen. And there are others in the system not that far way.

Royals invite top prospects to Spring Training

A total of 23 non-roster invitations to big league camp have been extended by the club, and six of those went to players ranked by Baseball America among the organization's Top 10 prospects.

Those six are first baseman Eric Hosmer, who was ranked as the Royals' No. 1 prospect by the publication, third baseman Mike Moustakas (No. 3), and left-handers John Lamb (No. 4), Mike Montgomery (No. 5), Danny Duffy (No. 7) and Chris Dwyer (No. 8). Right-hander Aaron Crow, who was ranked ninth, is on the 40-man roster, so he'll be in camp, as well.

[SubGod22]

New Royals prospects full of potential

It was, however, merely the first full-time go-round for Escobar, a Venezuelan native whose defensive skills and speed are his top attributes. Nichols, like the Royals, sees the possibility of bigger and better things for Escobar, because of the defense he provides.

"I've said all along that you won't find a much better shortstop than Escobar," Nichols said. "Watching him come up through the Minor Leagues, he'd make so many plays where you'd just say, 'Wow.' He's going to have to find himself at the plate and learn to be more selective, but I think he's making progress."

The work included a move from right to center, where the Brewers felt Cain's speed would apply. They were rewarded with above-average defense that is considered Major League ready. At the plate, he has shown the ability to get on base (.402 OBP at Double-A Huntsville and Triple-A Nashville last season) and then use his speed to advance (26 stolen bases in 29 tries, after a knee injury cost him much of 2009).

In his first taste of the big leagues last year, Cain held his own with a .306 average (45-for-147), and he hit his first homer on the season's final day. Cain hasn't shown much power for his size (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) but his athleticism is considered a big plus.

"We saw him as a top-of-the-lineup guy," Nichols said.

Odorizzi might be the most intriguing of all the Royals' additions, because some scouts feel he has the stuff to be a top-of-the-rotation guy, like Greinke.

Alas, it will be quite some time before anybody knows for sure, for Odorizzi is merely 20 years old and spent last year in Class A ball in the Midwest League. He went 7-3 with a 3.43 ERA and 135 strikeouts in 120 2/3 innings.

"He's solid-average across the board," Nichols said. "He's starting to understand and read hitters. His command is approaching solid-average. He's going to be a big league starter."

Royals added an eye-catching arm in Jeffress, and he could find himself in the 2011 bullpen at some point. Jeffress, 23, is eye-catching because of a fastball that can reach 100 mph. It helped him strike out 43 batters in 32 1/3 innings across the Class A and Double-A levels last year.

"In his first professional outing [after getting selected by the Brewers with the 16th overall pick in 2006], he threw four pitches at 103 mph," Nichols recalled. "He was consistently in the high-90s."

[BenWSU]

Even though its snowy outside & the windchill below zero, only 34 days until pitchers and catchers report.

[SubGod22]

And I can't wait until Spring Training begins.

[SubGod22]

Priority for Moore is bolstering Royals' rotation

In November, the Royals sent outfielder David DeJesus to the Oakland A's in a deal that brought back pitcher Vin Mazzaro. So it's Mazzaro with three other right-handers, Luke Hochevar, Kyle Davies and Sean O'Sullivan, who figure to be in the rotation.

Mazzaro and Hochevar I definitely understand. Davies I get. If one of the young guys can't knock of O'Sullivan I'll be disappointed.

[newshock1234]

im preparing for another 100 loss season

[wsushox1]

The future is bright!

[WstateU]

The future is bright!

You're just another "sunshine pumper". :D

[SubGod22]

Hochevar avoids arbitration with one-year deal

Luke Hochevar, who figures as the No. 1 pitcher in the Royals' rotation, signed a one-year contract for 2011 on Wednesday, avoiding salary arbitration.

Hochevar signed for $1.76 million, the same salary that he made last season.

The signing leaves the Royals with four players eligible for arbitration -- first baseman Billy Butler, outfielder Alex Gordon and pitchers Kyle Davies and Robinson Tejeda.

McClure tasked with retooling Royals' staff

"Last I counted, and there may be more by now, there are at least 11 that we're bringing in that have a chance to make the ballclub," McClure said. "If you come in and show us poise and maturity and accuracy, you've got as good a chance as anybody. You've got to be good, competitive and able to do what you're supposed to be doing to make this club. Very few guys now that you can say are sure things -- there are four or five of them and that's it. There are possibly six or seven openings."

There are 19 pitchers on the 40-man roster and 13 more invited to camp as non-roster players.

The Royals still are sifting through the market place for pitchers, preferably starters, but for now, the rotation presumably includes Luke Hochevar, Kyle Davies, Vin Mazzaro and Sean O'Sullivan.

When the first official workout is held on Feb. 15 in Surprise, Ariz., Hochevar would stand in the No. 1 spot although he was only 6-6 last season, making just 17 starts because of a lingering elbow ailment. He's had an odd career, with some big-inning blastings tempered by tantalizing games of sheer brilliance.

"I thought it was happening just before he got hurt," McClure said. "He was starting to dominate more consistently. ... He was getting to the point where 'Here it comes.'"

[BenWSU]

I failed to mention that tonight was the Royals hot stove league show on KCSP. It's from 6 to 7pm Thursdays. KCSP and Royals website will have the archive.

[SubGod22]

Royals, Francis agree, pending physical

The Royals and Jeff Francis have agreed to terms on a one-year contract, ESPN.com, citing a source, reported on Friday.

The Royals have not commented on or confirmed the signing.

Francis, whose deal is reportedly pending a physical, will help fill a huge rotation void left after the trade of ace Zack Greinke to Milwaukee last month. He joins Luke Hochevar, Kyle Davies, Vin Mazzaro and Sean O'Sullivan in the rotation.

Doesn't sound like a bad gamble for one year. I'm still hoping at least one of Monty, Duffy, Crow or Lamb can at least push O'Sullivan out of the rotation.

[Awesome Sauce Malone]

By O"Sullivan you really mean Davies right? because lets be honest

O'Sullivan = Davies.