***Official 2021 Royals Season Repository Thread***

[ChiefsCountry]

For all things Royals for the new year.

Free Agent Signings:
Carlos Santana
Mike Minor
Michael Taylor
Ervin Santana

Top 10 Prospects:
1 Bobby Witt Jr., SS
2 Asa Lacy, LHP
3 Daniel Lynch, LHP
4 Jackson Kowar, RHP
5 Erick Pena, OF
6 Nick Loftin, SS
7 Kyle Isbel, OF
8 Khali Lee, OF
9 Jonathan Bowlan, RHP
10 Carlos Hernedez, RHP

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

The Chiefs and Royals are identical franchises. Both have 2 titles. Chiefs barely have won more regular season games, but given the better resources that’s not saying much.


After SB 4, the NFL merged. So 51 seasons since, or identical to the Royals.


Chiefs record: 408-377-7 (52.0%)
Record under Patrick: 38-10 (78.2%)

*so without Patrick Chiefs are a perfectly avg franchise

Chiefs Playoff record: 15-20 (42.9%)
Record under Patrick: 5-2 (71.4%)

*so he already has 1/3 of our damn playoff wins


Chiefs scoring avg: 21.49-20.54 (+0.94 per game)
Scoring avg with Patrick: 31.02-22.73 (+8.29 per)



####conclusion: Blowfish has totally forgotten the Chiefs *actual* long term history since Patrick arrived and, basically, saved us from continuing to be the Chargers.

I don't think you are very old PB - but for those of us under 40 the Chiefs have had waaaaaaaay more success than the Royals. The Royals alienated the fans of this city for decades. Nobody ever gave two shits about the Royals prior to 2014. No casual fans even knew the players. Complete apathy. Thank god for the World Series runs to revive interest in baseball in this town. Things looked bleak for a while. I didn't remember ONE, not even ONE successful season for the Royals prior to the 2014 playoff run yet I still followed them through high school, college etc. My family would mock me because I knew things about the players - things any fan should know - and now those same family members are fans once again.

[theoldcoach]

Well......I am old. But it was the exact same thing in reverse between 1975 (post Hank Stram) and 1988 (pre Marty Schottenheimer)

The Chiefs were 81-154-1 during those 14 years. That is a 32.5% winning percentage. They were atrocious. During those 14 years they made the playoffs one time and that was as a Wild Card team. And they lost.

During those same 14 years the Royals were 1194-1014. That is a 54% winning percentage. They were among the winningest teams in baseball. During those 14 years they made the playoffs 6 times advancing to the American League Championship Series. Twice won the American League and went to the World Series twice and won it once.

The point being......both have had their extended up periods and their extended down periods. And both franchises have been essentially equally successful during their respective existences.

The goal of both organizations is to extend the peaks and shorten the valleys. But rest assured that over the next 40 years both the Chiefs and the Royals will experience both sides of that coin.

Even with the economics of baseball being so ****ed up compared to football!

[ChiTown]

Originally Posted by Chiefspants

Nobody in the league..

Game 4 was our chance. By the time Bum got Nori to line out in the fifth inning, it was over

It was a bit of a weird series. Only two games were close after the 7th inning - Game 3 and 7 - Game 5 was close, but Baumgartner only let 2 guys on base after the 2nd inning. He was absolutely masterful in that game throwing a CG SO.

The difference in the series, other than Baumgartner being insanely good, was the Royals inability to get on base. They had a .291 OBP vs SF's .340 - that's not good enough. Also, 11 walks for the R's vs 23 for the G's. Not only that, we had been running all over the diamond up to the WS (not as much against the O's, but we didn't need to). In the WS, we accumulated just one SB in 7 games. Shit just caught up to us....

[tk13]

This just goes to show how baseball has changed in the last few years and now even the big money teams hoard prospects.

Wrote about the difficult market for trading a rental player in-season. Hope you'll read and subscribe.https://t.co/yxOrFwyQ78 pic.twitter.com/2W2QWMDUJW

— Joe Sheehan (@joe_sheehan) June 11, 2021

[Prison Bitch]

AL World Series Appearances, since KC entered 1969:

1. Spankees 11.
2. A’s 6 (none since 1990)
3. O’s, Red Sox 5
5. ROYALS 4
6. Injuns, Tigers 3
8. Rays, Twinks, Blue Jays, Texas, Asstros 2
13. Angels, BrewCrew, White Sux 1

Mariners only team never to win the AL.

[Why Not?]

Originally Posted by Chris Meck

KC lost that WS because nobody, and I mean NOBODY on the team could hit Bumgartner.

That's it. That's the whole reason.

100%.

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by Chris Meck

KC lost that WS because nobody, and I mean NOBODY on the team could hit Bumgartner.

That's it. That's the whole reason.

Or preventing it all together by bunting when he was looking a bit shaky.

[TLO]

Originally Posted by PHOG

THE LAST team to go Back to Back WS, and if it hadn't been for the ****ing ump, we would have Back to Back Championships. You do you.

Care to elaborate today or are we just moving on past this?

[TLO]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

Or preventing it all together by bunting when he was looking a bit shaky.

I blame the 3rd base coach for not sending Gordon!!!!!!

Spoiler!

this is sarcasm

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Pratto's biggest remaining hurdle is his K rate. It's still a touch high. He takes a lot of strikeouts looking, though, that probably go away with better umpiring at the major league level. The question is how much that can help. His rate right now is in the high 20s and that needs to drop a bit to really unlock his best potential outcome.

Quick Question: What happened to Kumar Rocker that his stock has dropped?

CBS Sports posted a Mock Draft this morning that has Rocker going to the Royals at #7 overall this year. I recall that you were really high on him, hoping he'd go to the Royals at #1 or 2 in the past draft or so.

Did his performance slip due to injury or did other prospects pass him in terms of ability and upside, or is it due to something else entirely?

I mean, #7 overall is nothing to sneeze at, especially if he becomes an ace, but it's a bit surprising.

[PHOG]

Originally Posted by TLO

Care to elaborate today or are we just moving on past this?

Yes, I forgot about Bumgartner... unreal what he did. Selective memory perhaps. Possibly a memory block.

[KChiefs1]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Quick Question: What happened to Kumar Rocker that his stock has dropped?

CBS Sports posted a Mock Draft this morning that has Rocker going to the Royals at #7 overall this year. I recall that you were really high on him, hoping he'd go to the Royals at #1 or 2 in the past draft or so.

Did his performance slip due to injury or did other prospects pass him in terms of ability and upside, or is it due to something else entirely?

I mean, #7 overall is nothing to sneeze at, especially if he becomes an ace, but it's a bit surprising.

FUBAR for KUMAR

[KChiefs1]

Had you asked people who would be the #1 pick in the 2021 draft following the 2019 CWS, most would have said Kumar Rocker.

After all, the 6’5’’, 250 pound freshman had just won the CWS Most Outstanding Player award and had tossed a 19 strikeout no-hitter in the regionals against Duke. He looked like the next coming of Stephen Strasburg as a starting pitcher and the no doubt #1 pick in the 2021 draft. The lost 2020 season for Rocker was like everyone else’s, an incomplete. The right-hander made just three starts, striking out 28 in 15 innings, but there were some control bumps early in the year, and he didn’t get a chance to right that ship and build on the season. It seems as though those memories of ‘20 stuck in more heads than a dominant late-season 2019 performance in a full college season.

The prospect fatigue has clicked in for Rocker, who has now been a top-ranked draft prospect for four years. Ranked as the 13th best draft prospect in 2018 by Baseball America during his high school senior year, Rocker passed on signing to build his stock at the premier college development factory in the country. He quickly made that move look like a wise one in ‘19, but the lost 2020, the up and down ‘21, and improvement by others have pushed him down the ranks.

That prospect fatigue he is dealing with doesn’t mean there are no warts in Rocker’s game, as there certainly are issues. This season he’s battled through some arm fatigue that saw his velocity dip down to 89-91 mph, a considerable drop from his usual 94-96 mph range. The fastball features plenty of life to it, leading to control issues, which Alabama and Arkansas took advantage of in games where he got roughed up. At the top of the zone, Rocker’s fastball can look unhittable, but he can have trouble repeating his long mechanics and flatten out in the middle. In 2019 he would have just leaned in with his slider and looked to dominate with his two-pitch mix. That’s something that he hasn’t done as much this year, perhaps to showcase that he has a full arsenal, and teams are starting to lay off more and wait on the fastball to do damage to it.

Showing a larger arsenal this year than leaning on just his fastball and slider, Rocker flashes as a complete future pitcher. The slider is a major league-ready pitch and probably his best pitch even ahead of the fastball. At its best, it’s a 70-grade pitch, the type of pitch he can throw in any count and dominate with thanks to a feel for it that is even better than his fastball control. The grip he uses offers a tumble on the pitch that is similar to a curveball for many, offering more vertical tumble than a horizontal movement that many curveballs have. He describes the pitch with bullet gyro spin, which gives it the velocity and late tumble out of the zone, tunneling with the fastball. The velocity comes in the mid-80s with 2200 rpm of spin it gets deep into the zone before the tumble, which makes it a difficult pitch for hitters to recognize. Next to an upper 90s fastball, it can be so explosive that lesser hitters can’t see and must start their swing early to prepare for the fastball only to go flail over the top of the slider.

The fastball is an average pitch in the game today despite the velo, which can top out at 98 mph. That sounds crazy, but it lacks elite spin, tipping the scales in the 2000-2200 rpm rate, which doesn’t carry through the zone as much as it could at a higher spin rate. It’s a similar fastball to current Royals prospect Jackson Kowar. The velo is good, and the control is better than average but the command is just average, which can lead to some hard contact despite the higher velocity readings. Teammate Jack Leiter has more spin on the fastball, getting more carry through the zone, allowing it to play up even if the velocity on the pitch for both his and Rocker average 94 mph. When Rocker has the velocity and command working the fastball is a plus pitch in the 60 range, but that lack of spin and the difficulty to command it at times can make it hittable at the lower velo level. Old school scouting would see a 6’5 250 lbs body and say he will have the upper velocity for years, but we know that’s not always the case. A tick or two lost can make that fastball an average offering pretty quickly if he can’t maintain it in the starter role, leveling out his ceiling in the process.

This season Rocker has featured the cutter and changeup more than in years past. For a pitch that hasn’t been used much, the change has given some decent looks. It flashes as a better-than-average pitch. It still lacks consistency, but the low spin rate is impressive, with a 1530 average rpm. That low spin helps give it a little larger vertical break and should play up to at least average with more usage. This and the cutter are the pitches he will have to use more often in the pro ball to get opposite-side hitters. The fact that it can profile as average is a good start. The added cutter features some late horizontal break with a bit more velocity in the upper 80s; differentiating it from the slider though the grips aren’t all that different, could help induce some weaker contact.

When we look at the draft, it appears Jordan Lawler or Marcelo Mayer have raised their stock to the top two picks. The Orioles are likely looking to play for a bargain hitter at five in a similar way to what they did with Heston Kjerstad last year, Rocker isn’t the likely pick for that reason. If Rocker gets past the Red Sox at four, then falling to the Royals at seven seems somewhat realistic. In that case, it will come down to what the Diamondbacks choose one pick ahead of the Royals. Should Arizona pass, then Rocker could shockingly be there for the plucking, which seemed inconceivable just two years ago. Then again, Rocker has the skill to throw another no-hitter in the regionals or win MOP again, which could slap scouting directors in the face again. The past projections of a future stud #1 or 2 level pitcher are still there, and if six teams pass, they could be overthinking this one.

[KChiefs1]

”How the heck did 5 teams pass on THAT guy?!?”

10-years from now the player with the best shot to be the answer to this incredulously asked question by fans is undoubtedly Vanderbilt righthander Kumar Rocker.

When Rocker took the bull by the horns in 2019 and was the primary juggernaut driving the Commodores to a College World Series he was easily the most highly anticipated player for his eventual draft year in 2021. The man pitched a legendary 19 strikeout no-hitter in an NCAA Super Regional over the Duke Blue Devils during that historic ride.

If Rocker had been eligible for the 2020 MLB Draft it might have been a far bigger debate for Detroit over drafting Spencer Torkelson first overall.

In this case, however, the time hasn’t exactly been kind to Rocker’s draft fortunes. While it’s much too strong to say “familiarity breeds contempt”, it’s likely safe to say “familiarity gets you picked apart more than you would have been”.

A three-start run of below normal velocity, a higher walk-rate in season, and a general sense of being less dominant all conspired to see Rocker’s draft stock hit a few bad notes.

Rocker is still likely to be a Top 6 or higher pick. He has an excellent track record of good health to show pro organizations and a big athletic frame to project strength and stability. If Rocker is able to find a string of dominance in this college post-season similar to the one he found in 2019 he can possibly surge back to the rarified air of a Top 3 pick.

Rocker started off in fine form in the Regionals with a 7 shutout inning performance against Presbyterian with 9 K’s versus 2 hits and 2 walks.



Kumar Rocker’s Background

Rocker came out of Bogart, Georgia like a heat-seeking missile after a rousing high school career punctuated by appearances in every summer showcase all-star game and eventually Team USA. Rocker was a hot commodity and a surefire first-round draft pick in the 2018 draft.

Rocker, son of college football Hall of Famer and former NFL player Tracy Rocker, did put out word his signing demands to entice him out of honoring his commitment to Vanderbilt were considerable. Evidently, he was convincing enough that only a token 38th round pick by the Colorado Rockies came Rocker’s way. Professional baseball would have to wait. Vanderbilt coaches likely toasted this event.

While the COVID-19 crisis shortened Rocker’s second season at Vandy, his first season will always be the stuff of legend culminating in a CWS title. His current season is actually better in some statistical categories. However the less dominant starts early in the year, the allure of new kids on the block from the high school ranks, and the emergence of his teammate Jack Leiter have served to soften the hype around Rocker heading into the ‘21 draft.



Kumar Rocker Scouting Report

At 6’4” and 255-lbs Rocker comes with the force of a heater usually sitting 92-96 that has reached 99 on occasion. He backs that up with a premier plus-plus slider in the upper-80’s that’s proven to be overwhelming for college hitters. Rocker has a decent curveball and the rudimentary use of a change-up.

Rocker did see his walk rate go up this year at Vandy with 33 walks in 98 innings versus the 21 allowed in 99 innings in ‘19. But he also raised his strikeout rate from ‘19 with 144 and only allowed 56 hits in those 98 frames. His season was no real disappointment no matter what some draftniks might think. Rocker still possesses a dominant arsenal to present to his pro franchise after the draft.




Will the Detroit Tigers draft Kumar Rocker?

As noted, 12 to 18 months ago this would have been a laughable question. Of course, they would have…and Detroit still might. MCB has Rocker going 7th to the Kansas City Royals in the 1.0 mock.

Rocker checks off a lot of Tigers GM Al Avila’s boxes. SEC player. Vanderbilt in particular. Big hard-throwing righty. Dominant college track record.

If the Commodores can go on a run in this post-season and Rocker reprises his College World Series “Most Outstanding Player” role of merciless intimidator on the mound to lead the way, it’s wholly conceivable the Tigers could survey the landscape and decide the high school players aren’t the sure thing they may believe Rocker to be.

Most observers feel the Tigers are looking to cash in on the bumper crop of prep shortstops in this draft. Marcelo Mayer, Jordan Lawlar, Brady House, and Kahlil Watson are looking like top 10 choices in July. Certainly, bonus demands will play a role in who goes where…but Rocker does have the grand stage of the NCAA post-season remaining to re-insert himself into the top of his draft class.

[Chiefspants]

Originally Posted by ChiTown

It was a bit of a weird series. Only two games were close after the 7th inning - Game 3 and 7 - Game 5 was close, but Baumgartner only let 2 guys on base after the 2nd inning. He was absolutely masterful in that game throwing a CG SO.

The difference in the series, other than Baumgartner being insanely good, was the Royals inability to get on base. They had a .291 OBP vs SF's .340 - that's not good enough. Also, 11 walks for the R's vs 23 for the G's. Not only that, we had been running all over the diamond up to the WS (not as much against the O's, but we didn't need to). In the WS, we accumulated just one SB in 7 games. Shit just caught up to us....

Reminds me reading about how the Cards lineup faired against us in 85. There was no margin for error for them in Game 6. We had the same margin of error against the Giants. We needed Ned to treat Game 4 like it was Game 7 (get Kelvin in there in the 4th and ride HDH to a Game 4 win).

Luckily he was every bit that aggressive in Game 4 the following year.