Royals Rumblings - News for July 12, 2024

All-Star Seth Lugo talks pitching.

Jim Bowden at The Athletic reports on what each team is up to for the trade deadline.

GM J.J. Picollo has been working the phones trying to improve their bullpen and corner outfield production. But a weak farm system combined with this sellers’ market will make it difficult for the Royals to accomplish their trade goals. That said, I’ll be shocked if they don’t add another reliever or two this month.

Pitcher’s List talks to Seth Lugo about his repertoire.

RD: Clearly this rotation, in talking to Cole Ragans and Michael Wacha, you all have developed a sort of laboratory-workshop approach as a starting rotation. How does that work? What do you take from that?

SL: In my opinion, I mean, that’s the way the game of baseball is. It’s game of chess. It should be a thought-out plan: What hitters are trying to do, how they’re swinging, how you’re pitching, go pitch to pitch, make adjustments.

I don’t know. It sounds complicated, but playing this game so long, that’s just the way my mind thinks. I’m trying to show other guys, try to think like this: Let’s go pitch-to-pitch. Let’s see how hitters react, and let’s see how your pitches are moving, and make adjustments from each pitch.

Fangraphs evaluates the top prospects in the Royals farm system.

The Royals system has taken a small step forward from last year, mainly thanks to the team’s selection of Blake Mitchell eighth overall in the 2023 draft....

There’s more upside in the lower minors this year than there has been recently, with players like Asbel Gonzalez, Ramon Ramirez, and Hyungchan Um catching the attention of pro scouts in their first stateside action and posting encouraging performance data as well. The Royals continue to struggle to develop homegrown pitching, and this system is still light overall in the arm department. Even though they don’t have frontline (or even mid-rotation) potential, prospects like Mason Barnett and Felix Arronde offer high-probability starter profiles, while guys like Kudrna and Blake Wolters offer more upside (and also risk).

They also have a mock draft out.

6. Kansas City Royals

Pick: Hagen Smith, LHP, Arkansas

Perhaps the most consistent rumor I’ve heard is that Kansas City likes Smith and high school shortstop Bryce Rainer.

Ben Kudrna is thrilled to be in the Futures Game, managed by Adrian Beltré.

“When you’re a little kid, you just like sports, any and everything,” Kudrna said. “I was 7 or 8 years old, watching Beltré play, and now he’s going to be my manager for the day.

“It’s an honor to represent myself and the organization and our players. Just to be able to go out and have fun, compete. It’s a pretty special opportunity not many people get, so it means a lot. And it’s important. But it’s all about having fun there and going out there to get the experience.”

Missouri Governor Mike Parson still doesn’t know what the sports teams want.

Asked if that affects negotiations, Parson said the state has tools at its disposal even now while the Missouri General Assembly is not in session “if we knew what the plan was.”

“The conversation needs to be had with the Royals — where are you going to put a stadium?” Parson said. “How much money do you need? What’s it going to cost for this? How are we going to pay for this? What incentives does the city have?”

Missouri House Majority Leader Jonathan Patterson — who will likely become the next speaker of the House — told the Kansas City Star Monday that he expects Jackson County residents will wind up voting again over the stadium sales tax. He also told The Star following conversations with both the Chiefs and Royals that it was clear both teams wanted to stay in Missouri.

Jaylon Thompson writes about potential draft picks for the Royals.

David Lesky recaps the sweep of the Cardinals as did Craig Brown.

Kevin O’Brien at Royals Reporter wonders what Hunter Renfroe’s future is with the Royals.

The Royals trade pitcher Colin Selby to the Orioles for cash considerations.

Pitcher Austin Cox has opted out of his minor league deal with the Royals and is a free agent.

How former Royals second baseman Frank White blocked a stadium deal for the team.

Twins infielder Willi Castro replaces Jose Altuve in the All-Star Game.

Cody Bellinger lands on the Injured List with a broken finger.

The Blue Jays place outfielder Kevin Kiermaier on waivers.

Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes tosses a no-hitter for seven innings to lower his ERA to 1.90.

The top 50 trade candidates this summer.

Are the Phillies the team to beat in the National League?

The MLBPA isn’t wild about playing games in Sacramento next year.

The minor league Oakland Ballers are offering shares of the team to the public.

Former big leaguer Sean Burroughs died of a fentanyl overdose, according to an autopsy.

Why NBA’s controversial ‘second apron’ will lead to a better league with more parity.

United States soccer has reached out to former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, but he is unlikely to lead the USMNT.

Chinese customs catches a man with 104 snakes in his pants.

What The Bear gets right and wrong about toxic kitchens.

People like the band Creed again.

Your song of the day is Young the Giant with Something to Believe In.