*****Official 2025 Royals Season Repository Thread*****

[RockChalk]

Maybe I missed this, but why was Estevez immediately given the closer role over Erceg? I thought Erceg handled it well in 2024. There is nothing comfortable about Estevez, almost every save opportunity is a roller coaster since he tries to nibble the zone so much.

[tk13]

Originally Posted by RockChalk

Maybe I missed this, but why was Estevez immediately given the closer role over Erceg? I thought Erceg handled it well in 2024. There is nothing comfortable about Estevez, almost every save opportunity is a roller coaster since he tries to nibble the zone so much.

They haven't said this, but it allows them to use Erceg wherever they want to put out fires and face the best guys on the other teams.

If Aaron Judge or Jose Ramirez is due up in the 7th inning they can use Erceg there instead of having to hold him back for the 9th inning to face the bottom of the order. Estevez probably isn't going to be as dominant as Erceg but he was a veteran closer. It gives them a ton of flexibility to play matchups in how they use Erceg and hopefully Harvey.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by RockChalk

Maybe I missed this, but why was Estevez immediately given the closer role over Erceg? I thought Erceg handled it well in 2024. There is nothing comfortable about Estevez, almost every save opportunity is a roller coaster since he tries to nibble the zone so much.

Because the math shows that your best bullpen grouping, if you have multiple above-average options, is:

1. Reserve your BEST guy for true fireman situations. He shows up in 6th or 7th or 8th or 9th to get the team out of a jam, or to face the top of the lineup.
2. Slot your second-best guy as your standard closer (but don't be afraid to use your relief ace instead of him in the 9th if he's on short rest or the matchup is better for your 1 reliever)
3. Have a handful of other above-average guys you use based on matchups
4. Have one dude that can go long and just eat innings so you can reserve 1-3 for games where they are actually valuable.

[Great Expectations]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Because the math shows that your best bullpen grouping, if you have multiple above-average options, is:

1. Reserve your BEST guy for true fireman situations. He shows up in 6th or 7th or 8th or 9th to get the team out of a jam, or to face the top of the lineup.
2. Slot your second-best guy as your standard closer (but don't be afraid to use your relief ace instead of him in the 9th if he's on short rest or the matchup is better for your 1 reliever)
3. Have a handful of other above-average guys you use based on matchups
4. Have one dude that can go long and just eat innings so you can reserve 1-3 for games where they are actually valuable.

We didn’t stick to rule #2 last night. Erceg pitched against 7, 8, 9 in the 8th.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Great Expectations

We didn’t stick to rule #2 last night. Erceg pitched against 7, 8, 9 in the 8th.

Yeah, I would have done that. I don't think the Royals are being as aggressive with that as the math suggests you should.

The Rockies' top of the lineup is also... not that special.

[RockChalk]

Appreciate the insight. And I understand the usage of Erceg as a fireman. But man, watching Estevez pitch is hard to watch.

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by RockChalk

Appreciate the insight. And I understand the usage of Erceg as a fireman. But man, watching Estevez pitch is hard to watch.

3 straight walks in the 9th with a lead is inexcusable to me.

[tk13]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

3 straight walks in the 9th with a lead is inexcusable to me.

It was horrible but he had a 0.90 ERA coming into last night and was a huge reason we won on Sunday. You don't ditch a reliever after one bad performance. It's how he bounces back that you worry about.

[GabyKeepsMeWarm]

Maybe, just maybe hearing the boo birds after the blown save in the 9th will spark something with the hitters?

I mentioned it in the game thread last night, but it’s been a weird year so far, not just with our lineup, but look around the league…. The run differentials are a little wacky, even if it is early…

If our offense was just around average, we’d be above .500. A little power would be nice too. Is it too much to ask?

[poolboy]

They had to have been booing Estevez...too many walks for a closer

[GabyKeepsMeWarm]

Originally Posted by poolboy

They had to have been booing Estevez...too many walks for a closer

Oh absolutely, but the whole team hears it, and they know the fans are getting restless. Might not be anything, but maybe...

[poolboy]

Jac Caglianone is likely to face Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw tonight. ��
Get some, Yung Jac

[TomBarndtsTwin]

Originally Posted by poolboy

Jac Caglianone is likely to face Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw tonight. ��
Get some, Yung Jac

He faced him last night.

Had 2 hits off him. Solid single and ripped a double that bounced off the wall.


He's gonna be up before the ASB if he keeps this up.

I would expect a move to AAA sometime in May.

[GabyKeepsMeWarm]

Originally Posted by TomBarndtsTwin

He faced him last night.

Had 2 hits off him. Solid single and ripped a double that bounced off the wall.


He's gonna be up before the ASB if he keeps this up.

I would expect a move to AAA sometime in May.

I'm excited about Jac too, but this isn't Kershaw from 15 years ago, or even five years ago. Jac hit that oppo double off a chest high 88 mph "fastball". Not trying to be the party pooper, but...

[KCUnited]

Originally Posted by GabyKeepsMeWarm

I'm excited about Jac too, but this isn't Kershaw from 15 years ago, or even five years ago. Jac hit that oppo double off a chest high 88 mph "fastball". Not trying to be the party pooper, but...

He'd throw a 3 hit (Bobby) complete game shutout against our current big league squad