Royals *** Official 2015 Royals Repository *** - Page 11

duncan_idaho · 04-04-2015, 09:25 AM

In this thread: All things related to the AL Champions.

Duncan's Official Team Record prediction: 90 wins
Duncan's Official Team MVP prediction: Eric Hosmer

I can't wait for this season to start. The AL Central should be a very entertaining race. I'll give brief thoughts on each team the Royals must contend with to make it back to the postseason - strengths and weaknesses.

Detroit Tigers:
Strength: The offense is still full of powerful hitters, and Miguel Cabrera may be healthier.
Weakness: Rotation is questionable after Price and Sanchez, bullpen continues to be horrible.

Cleveland Indians:
Strength: Great manager and a deep, versatile lineup.
Weakness: The rotation is a question mark past Corey Kluber, and even he has a few questions about him.

Chicago White Sox:
Strength: 1-2-3 combo of Sale, Quintana and Samardzija is pretty formidable. Offense is anchored by Jose Abreu, too.
Weakness: Defense still has major questions, and this team has 20 games to improve by if it really wants to make the playoffs.

The Royals will be a division winner IF ...
1) Ventura and Duffy combine for 375+ innings of high-quality work
2) Eric Hosmer delivers on his potential with a FULL season of success rather than bursts
3) The deeper bullpen lessens the critical load on Herrera, Davis and Holland
4) Lorenzo Cain stays healthy
5) Either Alex Rios or Kendrys Morales bounces back to 2013 form

Let's get this started!

duncan_idaho · 04-07-2015, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fairplay

The MLB Commissioner wants to end defensive shifts in baseball so that would help out the offense.

With today's technology how come they can't have an invisible electronic strike zone set up for each player and still have an umpire to call the strikes or balls. But it could be referred to if a player challenges the call.

I don't think the defensive shift thing will actually happen. Hitters just need to learn and tool themselves to hit the other way. And I don't think eliminating it would help offenses all that much, anyway.

Offenses aren't struggling because plodding guys who only pull the ball aren't getting ground ball singles to their pull side.

**Saul Good** · 04-07-2015, 10:48 AM

The shift should help offenses. There is no excuse for a major league hitter to continually ground into them.

**BigMeatballDave** · 04-07-2015, 10:48 AM

Wow! A KC sports team is revolutionizing something other than losing?

**BigMeatballDave** · 04-07-2015, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saul Good

The shift should help offenses. There is no excuse for a major league hitter to continually ground into them.

There's no excuse for major league hitters swinging at eye-level fastballs, but it happens.

KChiefs1 · 04-07-2015, 11:11 AM

The Royals' Opening Day win was the highest-rated Royals season or home opener ever on FOX Sports Kansas City, and earned the fifth-best Royals rating all-time on the network.

White-Sox Royals generated an 11.7 household rating, up 89 percent over the previous high for a Royals opener on FOX Sports Kansas City -- a 6.2 for the 2014 home opener. Data is courtesy of Nielsen Media Research, for the Kansas City market.

The telecast ran from 2:30 to 6:15 p.m. and included the pregame ring ceremony and raising of the American League Champions banner. Monday's rating peaked at a 14.5 (134,000 homes) from 5:45 to 6 p.m.

FOX Sports Kansas City has televised an estimated 1,171 Royals games and is in its 14th season as the team's TV home.

Royals Opener on FOX Sports Kansas City
• Best rating ever for season or home opener on FOX Sports Kansas City
• Up 89 percent vs. previous high for Royals opener on FOX Sports Kansas City (6.2, 2014)
• Fifth-best rating ever for a Royals telecast on FOX Sports Kansas City

Halfcan · 04-07-2015, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hootie 2.0

...and we added veterans like Rios and Morales who are going to inevitable be huge upgrades to Aoki and Butler while having guys like Medlen and Chris Young as insurance to our rotation

Both of these signings kind of went under the radar-but I think they were very solid signings.

Rios was a former #1 pick. If he stays healthy he can put up 20 plus homers. If yesterday was any indication of what he will do - 3/4 with a homer- This was Huge for us.

Morales-is a former 34 homer guy. If a pitcher makes a mistake-he will make them pay. If healthy- he will more than make up for Butler in power and production.

Royals have "potentially" added 25 plus homers to their total this year with these guys.

**RockChalk** · 04-07-2015, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halfcan

Both of these signings kind of went under the radar-but I think they were very solid signings.

Rios was a former #1 pick. If he stays healthy he can put up 20 plus homers. If yesterday was any indication of what he will do - 3/4 with a homer- This was Huge for us.

Morales-is a former 34 homer guy. If a pitcher makes a mistake-he will make them pay. If healthy- he will more than make up for Butler in power and production.

Royals have "potentially" added 25 plus homers to their total this year with these guys.

You are right, I predict huge things for Rios if yesterday indicates he will bat .750 with 162 HR's and 486 RBI's. I think he'd take the Triple Crown as well as blow out several records.

**Saul Good** · 04-07-2015, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockChalk

You are right, I predict huge things for Rios if yesterday indicates he will bat .750 with 162 HR's and 486 RBI's. I think he'd take the Triple Crown as well as blow out several records.

Ricky Henderson could lose his single season stolen base record, too.

CoMoChief · 04-07-2015, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saul Good

Ricky Henderson could lose his single season stolen base record, too.

everytime I hear or see the name Rickey Henderson, I think about the list of quotes and things Ricky did throughout his career...****in hilarious.

In the early 1980s, the Oakland A’s accounting department was freaking out. The books were off $1 million. After an investigation, it was determined Rickey was the reason why. The GM asked him about a $1 million bonus he had received and Rickey said instead of cashing it, he framed it and hung it on a wall at his house.

Prison Bitch · 04-07-2015, 12:29 PM

There's a lot of gross misunderstanding on what analytics (hence, ultimately Vegas) thinks about the Royals and why. There's no evidence whatsoever older teams "fade" late in the season. The SF Giants were not a young team and they hardly faded.

Duncan, we've been thru the projection systems. They're very accurate because they're back checked vs the results of thousands of MLB datapoints. They also take into account such minute things as velocity on FB. Saying we operate outside this established model requires proof.

Finally, the Royals win last year for 3 reasons, all of which do NOT stay constant historically:

1) "situational" hitting. 3rd in MLB with risp
2) healthy roster. Fewest missed games in MLB
3) lights out bullpen

We aren't changing the game. We're executing. Huge difference. And data shows these things are not remotely sustainable.

Great Expectations · 04-07-2015, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

There's a lot of gross misunderstanding on what analytics (hence, ultimately Vegas) thinks about the Royals and why. There's no evidence whatsoever older teams "fade" late in the season. The SF Giants were not a young team and they hardly faded.

Duncan, we've been thru the projection systems. They're very accurate because they're back checked vs the results of thousands of MLB datapoints. They also take into account such minute things as velocity on FB. Saying we operate outside this established model requires proof.

Finally, the Royals win last year for 3 reasons, all of which do NOT stay constant historically:

1) "situational" hitting. 3rd in MLB with risp
2) healthy roster. Fewest missed games in MLB
3) lights out bullpen

We aren't changing the game. We're executing. Huge difference. And data shows these things are not remotely sustainable.

The Royals batting average for the whole season was 4th in MLB. Why do you think finishing 3rd with risp is such an outlier?

The Royals trainers did a great job. Several players were hurt and probably should have been rested more (Infante immediately comes to mind).

The bullpen was lights out because the players are great. That is sustainable if you keep the great pitchers.

Great Expectations · 04-07-2015, 12:52 PM

BTW, the Royals lead the majors in OPS so far this year.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/stats/team/_/...OPS/order/true

Halfcan · 04-07-2015, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockChalk

You are right, I predict huge things for Rios if yesterday indicates he will bat .750 with 162 HR's and 486 RBI's. I think he'd take the Triple Crown as well as blow out several records.

I would be happy with him batting .290 to .305 with 24 homers and 90 RBI's - this would mean he was healthy all year.

I think Ned is going to be a kid in the candy store with the lineup this year-lots of possibilities with these guys.

**Saul Good** · 04-07-2015, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

There's a lot of gross misunderstanding on what analytics (hence, ultimately Vegas) thinks about the Royals and why. There's no evidence whatsoever older teams "fade" late in the season. The SF Giants were not a young team and they hardly faded.

Duncan, we've been thru the projection systems. They're very accurate because they're back checked vs the results of thousands of MLB datapoints. They also take into account such minute things as velocity on FB. Saying we operate outside this established model requires proof.

Finally, the Royals win last year for 3 reasons, all of which do NOT stay constant historically:

1) "situational" hitting. 3rd in MLB with risp
2) healthy roster. Fewest missed games in MLB
3) lights out bullpen

We aren't changing the game. We're executing. Huge difference. And data shows these things are not remotely sustainable.

For someone who loves statistics the way you do, I'm continually amazed by your utter lack of understanding of them.

1. We were near the top of MLB in team batting average. That we would be 3rd best with RISP is hardly an aberration.

2. When you're one of the youngest teams in baseball, you're likely going to be among the least injured.

3. Our bullpen has been near the top for years. It's clearly a very high priority for GMDM.

Our pitching staff being unusually healthy is the closest thing on your list to being an outlier, but we were still without Hochevar all year, and we've had our share of TJ surgeries throughout the organization.

Hootie · 04-07-2015, 01:17 PM

I'm concerned about Ventura. Hopefully it's not this year, but he's going to have to get Tommy John eventually. It's just going to happen.

But we have amazing bullpen depth, great rotation depth with Young and Medlen, and great Lorenzo Cain depth.

The Royals are stacked. But thanks for your 82 win prediction, PB.

04-04-2015, 09:25 AM
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1400308	* Official 2015 Royals Repository * In this thread: All things related to the AL Champions. Duncan's Official Team Record prediction: 90 wins Duncan's Official Team MVP prediction: Eric Hosmer I can't wait for this season to start. The AL Central should be a very entertaining race. I'll give brief thoughts on each team the Royals must contend with to make it back to the postseason - strengths and weaknesses. Detroit Tigers: Strength: The offense is still full of powerful hitters, and Miguel Cabrera may be healthier. Weakness: Rotation is questionable after Price and Sanchez, bullpen continues to be horrible. Cleveland Indians: Strength: Great manager and a deep, versatile lineup. Weakness: The rotation is a question mark past Corey Kluber, and even he has a few questions about him. Chicago White Sox: Strength: 1-2-3 combo of Sale, Quintana and Samardzija is pretty formidable. Offense is anchored by Jose Abreu, too. Weakness: Defense still has major questions, and this team has 20 games to improve by if it really wants to make the playoffs. The Royals will be a division winner IF ... 1) Ventura and Duffy combine for 375+ innings of high-quality work 2) Eric Hosmer delivers on his potential with a FULL season of success rather than bursts 3) The deeper bullpen lessens the critical load on Herrera, Davis and Holland 4) Lorenzo Cain stays healthy 5) Either Alex Rios or Kendrys Morales bounces back to 2013 form Let's get this started!
Posts: 21,166

04-07-2015, 10:48 AM	#152
Saul Good Quit your bullshit Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bored of winning Casino cash: $10052799	The shift should help offenses. There is no excuse for a major league hitter to continually ground into them. __________________ Today is not a good day to be a pussy.
Posts: 41,870

04-07-2015, 10:48 AM	#153
BigMeatballDave GBM 8-12-15 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Dayton, Oh. Casino cash: $10052154	Wow! A KC sports team is revolutionizing something other than losing?
Posts: 59,997

04-07-2015, 11:11 AM	#155
KChiefs1 I’m a Mahomo! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mid-Missouri Casino cash: $6771021	The Royals' Opening Day win was the highest-rated Royals season or home opener ever on FOX Sports Kansas City, and earned the fifth-best Royals rating all-time on the network. White-Sox Royals generated an 11.7 household rating, up 89 percent over the previous high for a Royals opener on FOX Sports Kansas City -- a 6.2 for the 2014 home opener. Data is courtesy of Nielsen Media Research, for the Kansas City market. The telecast ran from 2:30 to 6:15 p.m. and included the pregame ring ceremony and raising of the American League Champions banner. Monday's rating peaked at a 14.5 (134,000 homes) from 5:45 to 6 p.m. FOX Sports Kansas City has televised an estimated 1,171 Royals games and is in its 14th season as the team's TV home. Royals Opener on FOX Sports Kansas City • Best rating ever for season or home opener on FOX Sports Kansas City • Up 89 percent vs. previous high for Royals opener on FOX Sports Kansas City (6.2, 2014) • Fifth-best rating ever for a Royals telecast on FOX Sports Kansas City __________________
Posts: 54,038

04-07-2015, 12:29 PM	#160
Prison Bitch Rabbi Goldmann Join Date: Nov 2012 Casino cash: $5450159	There's a lot of gross misunderstanding on what analytics (hence, ultimately Vegas) thinks about the Royals and why. There's no evidence whatsoever older teams "fade" late in the season. The SF Giants were not a young team and they hardly faded. Duncan, we've been thru the projection systems. They're very accurate because they're back checked vs the results of thousands of MLB datapoints. They also take into account such minute things as velocity on FB. Saying we operate outside this established model requires proof. Finally, the Royals win last year for 3 reasons, all of which do NOT stay constant historically: 1) "situational" hitting. 3rd in MLB with risp 2) healthy roster. Fewest missed games in MLB 3) lights out bullpen We aren't changing the game. We're executing. Huge difference. And data shows these things are not remotely sustainable.
Posts: 87,025

04-07-2015, 12:52 PM	#162
Great Expectations MVP Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Joplin, MO Casino cash: $13362338	BTW, the Royals lead the majors in OPS so far this year. http://espn.go.com/mlb/stats/team/_/...OPS/order/true __________________
Posts: 7,229

04-07-2015, 01:17 PM	#165
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	I'm concerned about Ventura. Hopefully it's not this year, but he's going to have to get Tommy John eventually. It's just going to happen. But we have amazing bullpen depth, great rotation depth with Young and Medlen, and great Lorenzo Cain depth. The Royals are stacked. But thanks for your 82 win prediction, PB.
Posts: 56,356