Tag: Infield

A brief primer on three candidates for the Royals’ first-round pick in the 2020 draft

The MLB Rule 4 Draft (the official designation for the first-year player draft) is quickly approaching on June 10th, and as expected, many Royals experts and fans are giving their analysis in terms of what Dayton Moore will do with the fourth overall pick. Usually, the draft is lost or overlooked by most sports fans… Read More A brief primer on three candidates for the Royals’ first-round pick in the 2020 draft

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Can McConnell and Cancel add to the Royals’ middle-infield depth in the future?

When it comes to drafting middle infielders, the Royals have had mixed success under Dayton Moore. Christian Colon and Johnny Giavotella were highly ranked and drafted (Colon went in the first round of the 2010 draft; Giavotella went in the second round of the 2008 draft) middle infield prospects expected to provide “pop” and “defense”… Read More Can McConnell and Cancel add to the Royals’ middle-infield depth in the future?

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Is Nicky Lopez key to the Royals surprising in a shortened season?

The Royals made a big decision this off-season when they decided to move Whit Merrifield from second-base to center field full time in 2020. Essentially, the move showed that the Royals believe that the 25-year-old Nicky Lopez is the Royals’ second-baseman for the foreseeable future. To many Royals fans, that’s a huge deal, especially considering… Read More Is Nicky Lopez key to the Royals surprising in a shortened season?

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Analyzing the 2019 Royals Infield OAA metrics…And what does it mean for 2020?

For Saber-heads like myself, Baseball Savant’s new metric for analyzing infield defense (infield outs above average) is fascinating, especially when applied to Royals players who took the infield last season. Defense traditionally has always been a difficult part of the game to analyze concretely: what numbers and/or metrics truly rate an infielder or outfielder’s defense… Read More Analyzing the 2019 Royals Infield OAA metrics…And what does it mean for 2020?

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Cheap Utility: Three Royals who could help the bench in 2020

With the fifth-lowest payroll in the American League, the Royals aren’t exactly a “poor” team by any means, but they are not competing with the likes of the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox when it comes to out-spending for players. In a plain sense, the Royals are a classic, stable “small market” team:… Read More Cheap Utility: Three Royals who could help the bench in 2020

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What can Royals fans say about Adalberto Mondesi’s 2019?

Royals shortstop Adalberto Mondesi may be one of the club’s most fascinating pieces going forward. 2019 was his first full season where he began and finished with the big league club, as in previous seasons, he jumped back and forth between Omaha and Kansas City on a frequent basis. Part of that was due to… Read More What can Royals fans say about Adalberto Mondesi’s 2019?

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