Daily Clips
March 15, 2017
LOCAL
Bats come alive behind Kennedy's 5 K's
March 14, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Kennedy mixes it up in successful outing
March 14, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Royals continue auditions for 3 key jobs
Club seeking starting 2B, while final spot in bullpen, rotation up for grabs
March 14, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Perez back in camp, undergoes 2nd MRI
Yost in 'good mood' after seeing All-Star catcher, who injured knee in WBC '17 game
March 14, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Ian Kennedy pleased with third outing of spring as Royals beat Angels 8-4
March 14, 2017By Pete Grathoff/KC Star
Royals’ Rusty Kuntz says fan petition led to creation of his talking bobblehead
March 14, 2017By Pete Grathoff/KC Star
Royals owner David Glass talks about Eric Hosmer’s contract, and Scott Boras responds
March 14, 2017By Sam Mellinger/KC Star
NATIONAL
Pipeline report: Prospects in Royals' camp
March 14, 2017By Jonathan Mayo/MLB.com
MLB TRANSACTIONS
March 15, 2017 •.CBSSports.com
LOCAL
Bats come alive behind Kennedy's 5 K's
March 14, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Angels starter Matt Shoemaker retired 11 straight to start the game, but the Royals capitalized after he exited, rallying for an 8-4 victory Tuesday at Surprise Stadium.
Kansas City was fueled by Jorge Soler, who had two hits and scored two runs, and Alex Gordon and Brayan Pena, who each knocked in one, while Peter O'Brien hit his fifth home run of the spring. Soler, acquired from the Cubs for Wade Davis at the Winter Meetings, entered the game 3-for-31, but delivered his first extra-base hit of the spring, a double in the fifth.
"Good to see him get a couple of hits," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "Gordo with the RBI, Brayan Pena with an RBI, [Brandon] Moss with an RBI. Good day."
Royals right-hander Ian Kennedy threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings, giving up three hits while walking none and striking out five.Kennedy threw 64 pitches, 43 for strikes.
Shoemaker was perfect for 3 2/3 innings thanks in part to left fielder Ben Revere, who dove to rob Gordon of extra bases in a highlight-reel catch in the fourth inning, but two batters later, Lorenzo Cain got the Royals in the hit column with a double to left-center.
Shoemaker, coming back from a skull fracture and brain surgery from a line drive to the head that ended his 2016 season in early September, pitched four scoreless innings, giving up the one hit while striking out two and walking one.
"Definitely just working on my stuff, but usually if that's happening in the fourth or fifth inning, it kind of creeps in your head, but not in a negative way," Shoemaker said of the 11 consecutive outs to begin the game. "It's definitely a positive thing, but I was just focusing on being aggressive, working on the stuff."
Angels first baseman C.J. Cron found his stroke, hitting two doubles and a triple, while catcher Carlos Perez cracked his first homer of the spring.
In the top of the fifth, Royals reliever Peter Moylan was struck in the thigh area by a Jefry Marte line drive that caromed into right field for a single that scored the game's first run. After a brief visit from the team training staff, Moylan stayed in the game.
Angels Up Next: Left-hander Tyler Skaggs missed his last Cactus League start because of shoulder weakness, but after two successful bullpen sessions, Skaggs will return to the mound to start Wednesday's road game vs. the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium, with a first pitch slated for 1:05 p.m. PT live on MLB.TV. Skaggs is expected to go two innings and throw somewhere around 30 pitches.
Royals Up Next: Right-hander Jason Hammel, likely the Royals' No. 3 or No. 4 starter, gets the start Wednesday as the Royals travel to Camelback Ranch in Glendale for a 3:05 p.m. CT start live on MLB.TV against the division-rival White Sox. New closer Kelvin Herrera and left-hander Mike Minor also are expected to pitch.
Kennedy mixes it up in successful outing
March 14, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Royals right-hander Ian Kennedy made his second start of the spring Tuesday, and his first start in which he truly tried to mix up his pitches.
The results were impressive: Kennedy, who is likely the Royals' No. 2 starter, threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings. He gave up three hits, walked none and struck out five in the Royals' 8-4 win over the Angels.
"You just try to come out with a game plan each start down here, and today was just go out and pitch," Kennedy said. "The first couple of outings and bullpens you're working on fastball command, and maybe throw in a curve once in a while.
"By the third or fourth start you start to mix it up as much as you can, throw more breaking stuff. I was happy with today because I kept most pitches down, too."
Kennedy was right on target with his pitch count, too, throwing 64. He was slated to throw 60-65 pitches.
"I usually don't have a problem reaching my pitch count," Kennedy said. "Really, each outing, I just worry about getting the pitch count right, and getting my ups and downs.
"It's just another check mark today."
Royals continue auditions for 3 key jobs
Club seeking starting 2B, while final spot in bullpen, rotation up for grabs
March 14, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Since the last time we projected the Royals' Opening Day 25-man roster, there has been one significant change.
The Royals added left-hander Travis Wood, who is competing for the No. 5 spot in the rotation. At worse, Wood will be a valuable part of the bullpen.
Decisions still await on who wins the second base job, the No. 5 spot, and the final spot in the bullpen.
With that in mind, here's a revised look at the projected 25.
Catchers: Salvador Perez, Drew Butera
This, of course, hasn't changed, though the Royals got a big scare when Perez suffered a knee injury when Butera, of all people, collided with Perez in a World Baseball Classic game. Perez, who had a second MRI on Tuesday, appears to be OK (and Butera is fine, too) and is back in Royals camp.
First base: Eric Hosmer
Hosmer is playing well for the United States in the Classic. Last year's MVP at the All-Star Game faded in the second half but still posted career highs in home runs (25) and RBIs (104).
Second base: Whit Merrifield
Sticking with the original projection here, but not nearly as certain. Yes, Merrifield's versatility seemingly assures him a roster spot. But Raul Mondesi has forced his way into the competition with a terrific spring. The Royals are intrigued by Mondesi's athleticism, and he has outplayed his competitors. Here's the problem: For Mondesi to grab the job, Merrifield (who has options) would have to be sent out, or Cheslor Cuthbert or Christian Colon would have to be traded. Cuthbert and Colon are out of options. Can't keep all four. Tough call.
Shortstop: Alcides Escobar
This could be Escobar's last season in a Royals uniform. Even if Mondesi wins the second-base job this spring, he would be Escobar's replacement in 2018.
Third base: Mike Moustakas
An ACL injury in May robbed Moustakas of a potentially big year (he had seven homers before the injury). He already has proven he has recovered from the injury defensively. And his bat is heating up.
Starting outfield: Alex Gordon, Lorenzo Cain, Jorge Soler
What's interesting this spring is that manager Ned Yost has Gordon playing everywhere -- left field, right field, even center field. Soler, off to a slow start offensively, has played several games in left. Yost is keeping his options open in terms of where Gordon and Soler will be positioned Opening Day.
Designated hitter: Brandon Moss
The Royals have said Moss won't be a permanent DH, and he has played some outfield and first base in camp. We'll see how that plays out.
Bench: Colon, Cuthbert, Paulo Orlando
Yost has moved Colon all over -- second base, third base, shortstop, even left field. Cuthbert has looked better at second base than many expected as he makes the transition from third base. Cuthbert also has looked good at first base, increasing his versatility. Originally, the thinking was that the Royals might carry an extra position player -- a late-inning weapon such as Billy Burns. Not likely anymore with Wood taking up an extra spot on the pitching staff.
Rotation: Danny Duffy, Ian Kennedy, Jason Hammel, Jason Vargas, Nathan Karns
Nothing has changed here from our original forecast, though the battle for the No. 5 spot among Karns, Wood and Chris Young rages on. Still too early to call the winner, but the Royals remain fascinated with Karns' potential, especially now that he's added a changeup. Young has pitched very well lately. The addition of Wood will give the Royals either three lefties in the rotation or possibly four in the bullpen.
Bullpen: Kelvin Herrera, Joakim Soria, Matt Strahm, Young, Mike Minor, Wood, Scott Alexander.
The Royals most likely go with a seven-man bullpen with the final spot probably going to Alexander, veteran Peter Moylan or perhaps even camp surprise Yender Caramo. Neither Moylan nor Caramo is on the 40-man roster, which complicates matters slightly. Alexander has wowed coaches this spring.
Perez back in camp, undergoes 2nd MRI
Yost in 'good mood' after seeing All-Star catcher, who injured knee in WBC '17 game
March 14, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
All-Star catcher Salvador Perez, who suffered an injury to his left knee Saturday in the World Baseball Classic, was back in Royals camp Tuesday morning, and was walking without any visible limp.
Perez was expected to have a second MRI conducted here in the morning. Perez's first MRI was in Mexico, and showed no structural damage, only inflammation to the knee.
The Royals, though, wanted to perform their own examination, and wanted to review the second MRI to verify Perez's injury wasn't serious.
Perez suffered the injury in a home-plate collision with his Royals teammate, Drew Butera, during the Venezuela-Italy game. Perez will not return to play in the Classic.
Royals manager Ned Yost said he spoke briefly with Perez after Perez arrived in camp.
"I'm in a good mood today," Yost said. "I think it's because I saw Salvy. Lots of hugs."
Ian Kennedy pleased with third outing of spring as Royals beat Angels 8-4
March 14, 2017By Pete Grathoff/KC Star
Right-hander Ian Kennedy didn’t have a specific game plan in the Royals’ 8-4 win over the Angels on Tuesday, and he was fine with that.
Kennedy allowed three hits, no walks and struck out five in 3 1/3 scoreless innings in his third spring start.
“It was one of those check-off-the-box things … Dave (Eiland, the pitching coach) and I were trying to figure out what the game plan would be. It was just try and pitch. The first couple of outings, you just try and locate the fastball, locate the fastball and maybe mix in a couple of breaking balls here and there.
“Usually around the third and fourth times you’re mixing as much as you can. I was happy with today.”
In his last start, Kennedy gave up two runs (one earned) in two innings against a star-studded lineup for Team Venezuela. He also tossed a pair of scoreless innings against the Dodgers his first time out.
Kennedy allowed a leadoff double to C.J. Cron in the third inning and Jefry Marte reached on an error by third baseman Mike Moustakas. After striking out Martin Maldonado, Kennedy was pulled by manager Ned Yost.
Lefty Jonathan Sanchez entered and issued a four-pitch walk that loaded the bases, but he rebounded with a strikeout and a ground-out to keep the Angels off the board.
Kennedy threw 64 pitches, and 43 were strikes.
“All I worried about was getting my pitch count up and getting the up-downs,” Kennedy said. “It was important for me, at least, to … get up for the fourth inning and building my way up to 90 to 100-plus pitches.
The Angels led 1-0 in the fifth when the Royals scored twice. Left fielder Jorge Soler just missed a leadoff homer to straightaway center, but had to settle for a double. Soler took third on an out and scored on a single by Brayan Peña.
Raul Mondesi followed with a double that would have been a triple, but Pena was thrown out at the plate. Mondesi, who ended up on third on the play, scored on a single by Alex Gordon.
After the Angels tied it in the top of the sixth, the Royals struck right back. Lorenzo Cain, Brandon Moss, Jorge Bonifacio, Soler and Ramon Torres had consecutive singles and the Royals ended up scoring four runs.
“Soler looked good today, a double and a single, Mossy got an RBI single, Gordy with an RBI single, Peña with an RBI single, Mondy with a smoked triple,” manager Ned Yost said. “It was good. (Peter) O’Brien with his fifth home run. I mean, 14 hits, eight runs, not bad.”
The arms
Left-hander Scott Alexander allowed a solo homer to Carlos Perez in the sixth inning — the first earned run against Alexander in seven spring games.
Eric Stout, another lefty, pitched a scoreless eighth inning and allowed only one run this spring in six outings, and that was to Team Venezuela.
Right-hander Chris Withrow struck out the side to close out the game.
The regulars
Cain laced a double down the left-field line in the fourth inning for the Royals’ first hit of the game.
Soler just missed his first spring home run in the fifth inning, hitting a ball to the wall in center that ended up being a double.
Gordon, who started in right, had an RBI single in the fifth. An inning earlier he was robbed of a hit on a diving catch by Angels left fielder Ben Revere.
The young guys
Mondesi made a great leaping catch at shortstop and stole a hit from Eric Young Jr., and he also hit a double in the fifth inning that would have been a triple had Pena not been thrown out at the plate trying to score from first.
O’Brien hit his fifth home run of the spring, a two-run shot to center in the eighth inning.
Royals’ Rusty Kuntz says fan petition led to creation of his talking bobblehead
March 14, 2017By Pete Grathoff/KC Star
One recent morning at Royals spring-training camp, first-base/outfield coach Rusty Kuntz was left shaking his head.
“Why? I don’t know,” Kuntz said.
It wasn’t because of a play that was being run on a practice field or even during a game. No, Kuntz was talking about the Royals’ plan to give away a bobblehead in his image on April 28 when the Minnesota Twins come to Kauffman Stadium.
It requires purchasing a theme ticket, because this is not your run-of-the mill bobblehead.
“Apparently, they tell me it’s going to do everything but walk,” Kuntz said. “It’s going to talk and you’re going to be able to comb its hair.”
That may sound like Kuntz is making a joke, but the Royals tweeted that it indeed will have those attributes. (click link for tweet)
Kuntz said the team gave him a list of quotes that he recorded including, “Oh, player!” and “Now that’s what I’m talking about!”
“Some of the things that I wanted to say that I’ve said in the past,” Kuntz said with a smile, “they said, no, no, you can’t say that.”
One of the phrases on the naughty list was what Kuntz told Christian Colon after his single gave the Royals the lead for good in Game 5 of the 2015 World Series.
You can hear it in this clip, and while it’s not terrible language, you can understand why it wasn’t used: (click link for clip)
More than anything, Kuntz was surprised to hear that the Royals would be giving away the bobblehead.
“I had asked somebody upstairs (in Royals offices): ‘How did this ever happen?’ He said, ‘well it started with a guy’s thought and we threw a number out there for a petition.’ (The fan) had to get thousands of signatures and he did it. And voila.”
That fan is Jeremy Scheuch, who tweeted about it last year.
The actual bobblehead will be even better the one envisioned. But the bottom line remains that Kuntz is a fan favorite.
“It’s kind of cool, I guess,” Kuntz said. “I have no idea why they would want my head on a bobblehead. It is nice that they considered it, I guess. It’s always been a Little League dream of mine to have a bobblehead, even back in the 50s.”