Author: Kevin O'Brien

Educator and baseball writer based out of Kansas City.

“Reporter Jottings”: Royals “Playing Pepper” on Cards Conclave; Was World Baseball Classic Worth It for Witt and Singer?

In this quick edition of the Jottings, I share a slew of season preview questions I answered for Cards Conclave, a St. Louis Cardinals-centered blog, and look at Bobby Witt, Jr, and Brady Singer and their participation with Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, which wraps up with the championship this evening. Let’s get… Read More “Reporter Jottings”: Royals “Playing Pepper” on Cards Conclave; Was World Baseball Classic Worth It for Witt and Singer?

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Three Pitchers Royals Fans Should Be Concerned About This Season

If you are a Royals fan, and you haven’t subscribed to David Lesky’s “Inside the Crown” substack, that needs to change pronto. Because today, Lesky wrote a great piece about the starting pitching being a real concern of this squad for the upcoming 2023 season, even with the positive moves being implemented by the new… Read More Three Pitchers Royals Fans Should Be Concerned About This Season

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What Can Royals Fans Expect from Witt, Jr. in 2023? A Few Rolling Charts Could Tell the Tale

Bobby Witt, Jr. has been the story of the Royals’ offseason, especially coming off a season in which he hit 20 home runs and stole 30 bases in 150 games and 632 plate appearances. While the triple slash (.254/.294/.428) and wRC+ (99), left a little to be desired, it was still an impressive rookie campaign… Read More What Can Royals Fans Expect from Witt, Jr. in 2023? A Few Rolling Charts Could Tell the Tale

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Three Takeaways From the Royals’ Latest String of Roster Moves

We are starting to see a bit of regression from the Royals as Opening Day nears. The Royals have lost three straight games after starting 14-2 in Cactus League play, which includes back-to-back walk-off losses against the Reds and Rangers, respectively. Furthermore, Royals fans are starting to see the final Opening Day roster shape up,… Read More Three Takeaways From the Royals’ Latest String of Roster Moves

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Examining the Tier Five Prospects (Royals 2023 “Top 50 Prospects to Watch” Rankings)

I have gotten behind on these posts with the start of Spring Training, as I haven’t written a “Top 50” Tier post since early February. Thus, I am going to abbreviate these posts a little bit in order to ensure that they get done before the start of the Minor League season in April. Here’s… Read More Examining the Tier Five Prospects (Royals 2023 “Top 50 Prospects to Watch” Rankings)

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Matt Beaty Has Been a Cactus League Success (But Will He Find a Spot on the Royals’ Roster?)

The Royals have been a tremendous success story this Spring as they sit at 14-2, which puts them clearly at the top of the Cactus League standings, as of Monday, March 13th. Granted, Royals fans can debate how relevant their W-L record will be in regard to it transitioning to regular season success. This is… Read More Matt Beaty Has Been a Cactus League Success (But Will He Find a Spot on the Royals’ Roster?)

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“Reporter Jottings”: Lopez Thriving With Italy; MJ in Three-Hole for Puerto Rico; Could Korean Catcher Thrive in Royals System?

This edition of the “Reporter Jottings” is going to have some international flair, which makes sense with the World Baseball Classic starting this week. I am going to take a look at some Royals players in the WBC (specifically Nicky Lopez for team Italy and MJ Melendez for team Puerto Rico), and quickly examine a… Read More “Reporter Jottings”: Lopez Thriving With Italy; MJ in Three-Hole for Puerto Rico; Could Korean Catcher Thrive in Royals System?

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Brad Keller is Making His Case for the Royals This Spring (But Will It Stick?)

If there’s one pitcher on the Royals roster this Spring who has seemingly benefited from the new Royals coaching staff this Spring, it may be Brad Keller, who is entering his last season of team control with the Royals. In three appearances this season, Keller has been stellar, as he has produced a 3.52 ERA… Read More Brad Keller is Making His Case for the Royals This Spring (But Will It Stick?)

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