I am a Kansas City Royals fan – always have been and always will be. They are off to a miserable start (16-30) and many are calling for big changes.
I just read an article suggesting moving Andrew Benintendi, Carlos Santana, Nicky Lopez and maybe Whit Merrifield.
I have two colleagues here at KVOE who want a house cleaning in KC starting with Dayton Moore and – well you get the picture.
Here are some of my reasons for not being ready to use a broom.
The Royals pitching has been awful, but Brady Singer and Daniel Lynch are showing real progress. Brad Keller will find himself, but additional reliable starters are a challenge.
The bullpen has some solid performers led by Barlow, Staumont and rookie Colin Snider. Long relievers Payamps and Balanos have been good with several others showing promise.
Signing Zack Greinke is beginning to look iffy.
Conclusion: Not a strength for sure.
Position players, especially outfielders have been hit hard with in -juries. Gold glover Michael A. Taylor and rookies Kyle Isbel and Edward Olivares who both were showing solid progress are on the Injury lists.
Both Royals regular catchers have been hurt, but minor league call up MJ Melendez has been really exciting and good.
Finally just a few games in Adalberto Mondesi was lost for the season. Guess that was somewhat to be expected given his past, but the Royals had to give him a try.
The good news: Gold Glover Benintendi hit the ground running! Hunter Dozier has returned to form and can play several positions. Merrifield and Lopez started slow at the plate, but have found themselves recently and their “D” has been flawless.
The most exciting news though is Bobby Witt, Jr! Injuries forced Merrifield to play the outfield so Junior has been playing mostly shortstop where he has been a human highlight reel. He’s now batting third and looks amazing for a 21 year old rookie.
The other good news is Salvy is back – he makes a difference.
Playoffs? Not likely, but learning to follow simple instructions like: don’t let Jose Ramirez beat you; i.e., Monday’s game and youngster Jonathon Heasley who did have a quality start and some well deserved better luck with injuries and WE might be surprised.
I respect my friend’s opinions that wholesale changes are needed, but I’m not ready to throw in the towel yet.
Here’s the reality of being a Kansas City Royals fan. Rebuilds or World Series come about every 30 years. History: World Series in 1980 and 85. Back again in exactly 30 years!
My young friends are very impatient. It’s okay to be that way and it makes for fun discussions on the air, but I learned a long time ago concerning my Royals, it’s a lot easier to be disappointed than getting mad. Thirty years is a long time!
One thing we agree on is that Carlos Santana was an awful acquisition and should have been gone a long time ago giving Pratto or Vinnie P. a shot.
Royals Fan forever! I’m Steve Sauder
