Daily Clips
March 7, 2017
LOCAL
Karns, Herrera in top form for Royals
March 6, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/218171476/d-backs-robbie-ray-kcs-karns-shine-monday/
Moustakas makes 'hat-tipping' return to 3B
Hot-corner vet has been taking it slow this spring after knee surgery
March 6, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/218242646/royals-mike-moustakas-gets-first-action-at-3b/
Yost impressed with next wave of hitters
Royals manager hypes young crop, including prospect Dozier
March 6, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/218171120/ned-yost-intrigued-by-royals-young-hitters/
Eiland pleased with Royals' pitching depth
Royals pitching coach says it's 'deepest pitching camp we've had'
March 6, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/218171468/dave-eiland-happy-with-royals-pitching-depth/
Nathan Karns is sharp, but offense does little in Royals’ 4-1 loss to Arizona
March 6, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article136815103.html
Podcast: A conversation with legendary Royals scout Art Stewart
March 6, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/k-zone/article136833663.html
Vahe Gregorian: Royals’ Mike Moustakas makes third-base debut for infant daughter
March 6, 2017 By Vahe Gregorian/KC Star
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/vahe-gregorian/article136831218.html
Actor Rob Riggle and family bring ‘some mojo’ to Royals in Arizona
March 6, 2017 By Pete Grathoff/KC Star
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article136819718.html
Royals’ Soria takes ‘great pride’ in representing Mexico at World Baseball Classic
March 6, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article136794273.html
Royals’ Danny Duffy throws support behind ballot question for new animal shelter
March 6, 2017 By Pete Grathoff/KC Star
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article136702238.html
Why you shouldn’t take spring training numbers too seriously
March 6, 2017 By Lee Judge/KC Star
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/judging-the-royals/article136725073.html
MLB TRANSACTIONS
March 7, 2017 •.CBSSports.com
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions
LOCAL
Karns, Herrera in top form for Royals
March 6, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/218171476/d-backs-robbie-ray-kcs-karns-shine-monday/
Left-hander Robbie Ray, expected to again be part of the D-backs' rotation, threw three strong innings Monday, giving up three hits and no runs while striking out one in Arizona's 4-1 win over the Royals..
"I felt like today I was able to mix in and out a lot better than my first outing," Ray said. "That was good."
David Peralta had two hits and two RBIs for the Diamondbacks.
Right-hander Nathan Karns, vying for the Royals' No. 5 spot in the rotation, was solid again. In his first Cactus League start last week, he retired all six hitters he faced. On Monday, he retired the first eight hitters he faced before Jeff Mathis fisted an infield single.
Karns allowed two runners (both scored) in the fourth before exiting.
Royals closer Kelvin Herrera, being brought along slowly because of the long Spring Training, finally made his spring debut with a 1-2-3 fifth inning. He struck out one.
"It was pretty good," Herrera said. "No issues. I've been throwing a lot of bullpens. I'm just trusting the process."
Herrera said he didn't shake off catcher Salvador Perez once.
"I got Salvy back there," Herrera said, smiling. "He's hard to shake. He gets upset."
D-backs Up Next: Shelby Miller looks to continue his dominant spring Tuesday when he starts against the A's at 1:10 p.m. MST at Salt River Fields on MLB.TV. Miller struck out six and reached 99 mph on the radar gun last time out in a three-inning stint against the Cubs.
Royals Up Next: Left-hander Travis Wood and right-hander Chris Young, both battling for the No. 5 spot in the rotation, will be the first two pitchers to throw for the Royals when they travel to Goodyear Stadium on Tuesday for a 2:05 p.m. CT tilt against the Reds. Backup catcher Drew Butera, battling an oblique strain, is scheduled to see his first game action of spring.
Moustakas makes 'hat-tipping' return to 3B
Hot-corner vet has been taking it slow this spring after knee surgery
March 6, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/218242646/royals-mike-moustakas-gets-first-action-at-3b/
Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas, recovering from ACL surgery on his right knee last May, made his first Cactus League start in the field this spring.
And sure enough, the first hitter for the opposing Diamondbacks hit a ball to Moustakas' left. He scooped it and threw against his body in time for the out at first.
"Had to happen that way, right?" Moustakas said. "It was a good thing to get my feet wet. Nice to have to go to my left and make that play."
When Moustakas looked back toward the dugout, his teammates saluted him by tipping their caps.
Moustakas' next chance came two innings later on a weird, spinning blooper that Moustakas thought was over his head. Instead, as he retreated, the ball fell in front of him for an infield hit.
Moustakas' teammates again tipped their caps, this time to rib him.
"The boys don't let anything slide," Moustakas said, smiling. "Not my best. It was definitely a play that has to be made. It will come with time. But I made a good backhand play later and made a good throw. Very comfortable. Felt like I was back [to normal]. It was definitely fun today."
Moustakas also started a pretty 5-4-3 double play.
"It just felt great to be out there playing again," he said. "We've been taking a lot of practice. It's a little like riding a bike, but nothing compares to the adrenaline of a game."
Playing in the field also gave Moustakas an opportunity to perform what has become his routine in the first inning. He draws the initials of his mother, Connie, in the dirt by third base. She died in 2015 from cancer. Moustakas also draws his mother's initials outside the batter's box before his first at-bat.
Moustakas also will draw "ACE" by his mother's initials in both places this season to honor the late Yordano Ventura as well.
Yost impressed with next wave of hitters
Royals manager hypes young crop, including prospect Dozier
March 6, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/218171120/ned-yost-intrigued-by-royals-young-hitters/
One of the many bright spots for Royals manager Ned Yost this camp has been the development of the organization's next wave of prospects.
Yost and Royals officials have watched with a curious eye as top position prospects Hunter Dozier, Bubba Starling, Jorge Bonifacio and Raul Mondesi have made an impact here in the first half of Spring Training.
"They're getting better," Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. "You can see it."
And it's not just those four.
"And you got [infielders] Ramon Torres and Humberto Arteaga," Yost said. "Don't forget [outfielder Alfredo] Escalera on the back end of that. He's having a great camp."
Dozier, a first-round pick in the 2013 Draft, is hitting .500 (6-for-12) with a double, triple and homer. He has played third base, right field and first base so far.
"We just want him to have options," Yost said of Dozier. "Get him comfortable at third, first and the outfield."
Starling, a first-round pick in 2011, is hitting .364 (4-for-11) and has been solid in the outfield.
"Bubba is getting better at the plate," Yost said. "Bubba has always been able to play the outfield."
Bonifacio is hitting .462 (6-for-13) with some rather loud outs as well.
And perhaps the biggest eye-catcher of the group so far has been Mondesi, who has been vying for the starting second-base job.
Mondesi is hitting .529 (9-for-17) with a homer and double. And Mondesi has been terrific defensively.
"I've been pleased with our next-wavers," Yost said. "I feel good about them."
Eiland pleased with Royals' pitching depth
Royals pitching coach says it's 'deepest pitching camp we've had'
March 6, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/218171468/dave-eiland-happy-with-royals-pitching-depth/
It's March 6 and the Royals still have 29 pitchers in camp.
That's a lot to sort through for Royals pitching coach Dave Eiland, not that he minds.
"It's the deepest group we've had since I've been here," Eiland said. "We're going to have some tough decisions coming down to the end. It's a good problem to have.
"We're going to have to sit down and have some long conversations."
Here's the issue: The Royals have four starters set and six bullpen spots essentially taken already.
From that impressive herd of pitchers, the Royals have only one, maybe two bullpen jobs open. That's it.
And right now, the group of pitchers has been so good, there barely has been any separation.
"The only separation is maybe experience," Eiland said. "But we have some kids, some young men, who have bright futures. I also have to caution myself that it's March.
"But March or not, you can't turn a blind eye to the talent here."
The veterans still in camp battling for bullpen spots include Al Alburquerque, Jonathan Sanchez, Brandon League, Bobby Parnell and Chris Withrow. The group also includes Peter Moylan, who is away for the World Baseball Classic, and Seth Maness, who is being brought along slowly as he rehabs from elbow surgery.
Eiland also has been impressed with his crop of young pitchers.
"[Scott] Alexander and [Kevin] McCarthy are throwing the ball tremendously," Eiland said. "I hate to start listing names because you end up missing a few. But you got [Jake] Junis and [Eric] Stout, [Yender] Caramo, [Luke] Ferrell.
"I've been so impressed with all of our young guys. [Miguel] Almonte is coming on and showing better command. [Malcolm] Culver is a guy who can throw 93-94 to both sides of the plate. Good slider and changeup.
"We know about [Josh] Staumont. He's got power. It's all there. Long term he's a starter, but he is a guy who could come in the back of the 'pen for us. And you have another power guy in [Andrew] Edwards. It's just been really fun to watch."
In fact, entering Monday, the Royals led the Cactus League in team ERA at 3.52 --and that included an eight-run inning allowed against the Reds on Saturday.
"Like I said, we'll have some tough decisions at the end," Eiland said.
Nathan Karns is sharp, but offense does little in Royals’ 4-1 loss to Arizona
March 6, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article136815103.html
Despite receiving a warm round of applause as he left the field during Monday’s spring-training game, Royals pitcher Nathan Karns gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head.
Karns was not happy with himself after giving up two base runners to the Diamondbacks, prompting manager Ned Yost to call on a reliever in the Royals’ 4-1 loss. The thing is: The plan was for Karns to throw 45 pitches, but he cruised through three innings in just 34 pitches.
Pitching coach Dave Eiland suggested a little more work in the bullpen, Karns said, but he wanted to stay in the game.
“It kind of backfired for me,” Karns said. “I threw four straight balls and the fifth pitch got hit for a single. Not as much work as I would have liked to have done going back out, but I was just pleased to have the opportunity to go out there for four.”
Karns was sharp through the first three innings, allowing just an infield single to Domingo Leyba, who was later caught stealing. Monday’s good outing came after Karns threw two perfect innings in his first spring start.
It’s just what Karns had hoped for as he competes for a spot in the rotation.
“For early right now, I’m able to get the action on the pitches that I’m trying to execute,” Karns said. The velo (velocity) is going to come. I’ve just got to be patient with that, try not to rush it. I’m just trying to keep my body progressing. … Right now, executing my change-up is the biggest thing for me.”
Arizona tacked on a pair of runs in the sixth inning, and the Royals, 7-4, scored their lone run in the eighth when Alex Gordon’s single brought in Alfredo Escalera.
“Really not a whole lot of offense today,” Yost said. “(Lorenzo) Cain and Gordy were good last at-bats. I was pleased with that. They wanted the extra at-bats, so they stayed in there longer than normal.”
The arms
Kelvin Herrera’s spring debut should make Royals fans happy. He cruised through a scoreless fifth inning and struck out one. Herrera said he wasn’t ready to pitch, but wasn’t anxious.
“I’ve been throwing a lot of bullpens,” Herrera said. “Obviously, I want to get in the game, but I’m trusting the process.”
Al Alburquerque gave up two runs on three hits and a walk in the sixth, Luke Farrell struck out two after allowing two one-out base runners and Yender Caramo tossed his fourth scoreless inning of the spring.
The regular guys
In addition to his RBI, Gordon beat the shift in the third inning with a sharp single to left field as part of a two-hit game.
Third baseman Mike Moustakas was 0 for 2, Cain hit a double in the seventh inning and Jorge Soler had a hit in three at-bats.
Catcher Salvador Perez made a perfect throw as he caught Leyba trying to swipe second.
The young guys
Jorge Bonifacio continued his strong spring with a hard-hit single through shortstop in the third inning. He is hitting .467.
First-base prospect Ryan O’Hearn was 0 for 2.
Podcast: A conversation with legendary Royals scout Art Stewart
March 6, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/k-zone/article136833663.html
Just weeks after celebrating his 90th birthday, legendary Royals scout Art Stewart began his 65th year in professional baseball here at spring training.
On Monday, he joined Kansas City Star columnist Vahe Gregorian and myself for a conversation about his first 64 years in baseball, his days cleaning the bleachers at Wrigley Field as a child in Chicago, and his role in helping the Royals sign Bo Jackson.
There is also a bonus story about a baseball scout, a top prospect in Wisconsin and a wooden leg.
“Being in baseball,” Stewart said, “I tell [Royals general manager] Dayton [Moore]: As long as I can still contribute, and as long as I still have that same desire that I still have … I still go out and see some of the top players. I still enjoy that as much as I ever did. Because that’s the lifeline of baseball. Everybody thinking that you may come into the ballpark and find another Bo Jackson.’”
Stewart, who is a member of the Royals Hall of Fame, began his career in professional baseball in 1953 as a territorial scout for the New York Yankees and was the Midwest Scouting Supervisor from 1958-69. He then joined the expansion Royals franchise and spent 16 years as a scout in the Midwest before joining the front office. For the last 15 years, he has been special adviser to the general manager. Stewart has drafted over 70 players who have reached the major leagues, including Bo Jackson, Kevin Appier, Brian McRae, Mike Sweeney, Johnny Damon, and Carlos Beltran.