**** The OFFICIAL 2008 KC Royals Spring Training Thread ****

[Coach]

http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/new...t=.jsp&c_id=kc

Hillman was at Surprise Stadium at the dark hour of 5:15 a.m. MT on Thursday. The sun hadn't even thought about casting its rays on the White Tank Mountains. About four hours later, though, about 20 pitchers, six catchers and a platoon of other position players were spread across the playing fields of the complex.

It wasn't a mandatory workout -- that doesn't happen until Valentine's Day -- but the volunteers poured into camp. The sun cut through the morning chill, dew covered the grass, Air Force jets thundered overhead and at 9:34 a.m., Hillman watched as a line of pitchers sprinted across the green.

Meche and Luke Hudson were the first pitchers to toe the rubber in the bullpen and fire baseballs into catchers' mitts.

"After I get a delivery in my mind, I'll watch these catchers as much as I do the pitchers to see early and later how much we're hitting the glove," Hillman said.

About half the pitchers threw off the mound on Thursday; the others will toss on Friday. The countdown to Opening Day on March 31 at Detroit was on for Meche and the Royals.

Maybe its my optimistic nature, not last but I really think we are witnessing the resurrection of the franchise.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

Typical royals, moving teahan around, what next olivo in left and hochaver to the bullpen to **** them up. I love the royals but the know how to screw things up...royaly. What what huber will do when the A's sign him

Usually, rookies tend to start off in the pen, to get experience, along with getting used to pitch in the MLB level.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by beavis

Anyone know anything about Chin-hui Tsao? I've read several places that he might be a surprise guy to make the roster. Apparently his numbers were off the charts, but he's been battling injuries the past couple of years.

His numbers were up and down. Seems like a inconsistent type of a player, but if he can perform like he IS capable of (see LA Dodgers numbers) as well as staying healthy, he'll have a good shot of making the team, or at least in Omaha.

[CHENZ A!]

I like Gathright over DeJesus, because he is just an average player who gets hurt too much, I think Joey has way more upside. Also, there has GOT to be somebody, anybody, that can take Buck's job from him. That guy sucks ass. I don't give a shit, put Teahen back there, and put DeJesus in LF with Joey in center. Do something to get Buck outta there though.

[Demonpenz]

Originally Posted by Coach

Usually, rookies tend to start off in the pen, to get experience, along with getting used to pitch in the MLB level.

Santana is the only one that comes to mind that it worked out. Affelt, mcdougal, gobble, also come to mind.

[Demonpenz]

I think the royals are going to lose 100 games this year. I also think that if you go out to the K you will see mostly major leaguers on both teams. No more Emil brown! Scott pose! Bill pecota!

[MIAdragon]

Originally Posted by Coach

Usually, rookies tend to start off in the pen, to get experience, along with getting used to pitch in the MLB level.

Not really its usually only the guys with questionable stuff that come out of the pen at first.

[alanm]

Originally Posted by tk13

I just read today that apparently they're planning to move the alleys in LF and RF at the K back to 390 feet.

For the life of me I can't fathom why they ever moved them in. It's not like the Royals have ever truly had a power hitter anyway. They used to have the dimensions as I seem to remember as 420' to center, 370 to the alleys and 340 down the lines. Because the Omaha Royals dimensions were the same. Or is my memory fucked up?

[KevB]

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

Santana is the only one that comes to mind that it worked out. Affelt, mcdougal, gobble, also come to mind.

Yanks are doing it with Joba Chamberlain.

[Demonpenz]

I have heard arguements about the fence either way. My feeling is they should be 375 410 and 330 I think the renovations will hurt the ball carrying

[KUCFChiefs]

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/roy...ry/500657.html

Posted on Fri, Feb. 22, 2008
Royals camp update: More lineup musings from Hillman
By BOB DUTTON
The Kansas City Star

SURPRISE, Ariz. | Royals manager Trey Hillman is thinking outside the box again as he ponders possible lineups, and those thoughts are sure to raise eyebrows. Again.

Hillman views Mark Teahen as the most likely No. 3 hitter but admits to giving serious thought to using Ross Gload in that role.

“I want backup options,” Hillman said, “and I like Ross Gload, although he doesn’t have a lot of experience (in that role). I like his swing.”

Let’s be clear up front: This is only a possibility. An idea. That bears repeating after the considerable static Hillman endured at raising the possibility of having third baseman Alex Gordon bat seventh.

“It’s nice to make an impression,” Gload said. “Hey, I just want to bat (somewhere).”

Gload has some experience in the three hole. He spent 17 games there last year, including 16 starts, although he only batted .226 when doing so. He batted .302 when placed elsewhere in the lineup.

Hillman prefers to trust his eyes.

“Now that I’ve seen his swing for a couple of days,” he said, “just throw the stats out. I’ve seen his swing. It’s short. It’s compact. He doesn’t have the pop of an Alex Gordon, nor the pop of a (Jose) Guillen, nor the pop of a (Mark) Teahen.

“But I like the swing, and I like the slug that comes with it -- the doubles. I’m not announcing him as our No. 3 hitter. But it’s in the mix.”

As for Gordon, there appears to be a good chance that he will, indeed, bat seventh on at least some occasions.

Olivo in left Catcher Miguel Olivo seems open to attempting one of Hillman’s earlier non-traditional ideas: Playing left field.

“If I can help the team that way,” Olivo said, “I’ll do it. He wants my bat (in the lineup).”

Olivo has never played the outfield. In fact, except for nine innings at first base in 2006 for Florida, he has never played anywhere but catcher in 556 career big-league games.

Hillman believes Olivo has sufficient speed to play the outfield on a limited basis and sees it as a way to add an extra right-handed bat to the lineup.

“It doesn’t mean we’re going to put him out there,” Hillman cautioned, “but we’re going to go through the process. That process will be individual work. Then we’ll go to fungo, where it’s more of a game situation.

“Then we’ll do it in intrasquad before we do it in a game. If we have the option of doing it in an intrasquad game, we’ll do it as game-like as possible.” At last, Callaspo Infielder Alberto Callaspo made his much-delayed arrival in time for Friday’s workout. He checked in Thursday night from Venezuela after finally obtaining his visa Wednesday from the U.S. Consulate in Caracas.

The Royals obtained Callaspo from Arizona in a Dec. 14 trade for right-hander Billy Buckner. Callaspo, 24, batted just .215 last season for the Diamondbacks but has a .317 average in six minor-league seasons.

Callaspo projects as a near-lock to make the club since he is out of options.


To reach Bob Dutton, Royals reporter for The Star, call (816) 234-4352 or send e-mail to bdutton@kcstar.com.

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by alanm

For the life of me I can't fathom why they ever moved them in. It's not like the Royals have ever truly had a power hitter anyway. They used to have the dimensions as I seem to remember as 420' to center, 370 to the alleys and 340 down the lines. Because the Omaha Royals dimensions were the same. Or is my memory fucked up?

Didnt they originally move them in during the early to mid 90's when they attempted to add guys with a little more pop?

I remember guys like Dean Palmer had big years in KC.

[Coach]

Well, as on cue, they got whipped by the Rangers.

Hochover looked good though. 2 scoreless innings.

[big nasty kcnut]

Go royals.

[POND_OF_RED]

I would really like to see Hochevar be our #4 or 5 starter this year. I think Meche, Bannister, Greinke, and Hochevar is a solid rotation compared to what we are used to seeing. Also is Moustakas in Arizona? I know he's obviously not ready for the majors yet, but I was just interested in seeing him get a couple big league swings.

[Coach]

And the Royals got their first win in spring training.

ROYALS 13, PADRES 9
at Peoria, Ariz.
Friday, Feb. 29

Padres at the plate: Jim Edmonds narrowly missed a home run in the first inning, as his long drive to right field drifted foul late. Edmonds came back to get an RBI double in the third inning. Callix Crabbe had a double and reached base twice. Matt Antonelli hit his first home run of the spring, a solo shot to start the fifth inning. Will Venable finished with three RBIs on two hits, including a two-run home run.

Royals at the plate: Leadoff hitter David DeJesus had two hits and a walk in his three plate appearances. Justin Huber had a two-run double to center field and also had a walk. Ross Gload had a two-run home run in the first inning as part of a six-run uprising. Alberto Callaspo, Huber and Gload each finished with two hits. The Royals finished with 17 hits, nine going for extra-bases.

Padres on the mound: Starting pitcher Shawn Estes struggled with his command, lasting only two-thirds of an inning. Estes allowed six earned runs on four hits to go with two walks, though the Padres botched two potential double-play balls though could have helped him. Arturo Lopez and Wilton Lopez combined for 2 1/3 scoreless innings, though it was mostly a rough day for San Diego pitchers, who walked a combined eight batters.

Royals on the mound: Starting pitcher Gil Meche tossed two scoreless innings, allowing two hits with one strikeout and no walks. Hideo Nomo then followed with two innings of work, allowing an unearned run on three hits with two strikeouts a one walk. Reliever Joel Peralta tossed a scoreless inning as did Brandon Duckworth.