Owner Goals
There are four new goals from owner Sherman; two for 2037 in reaching the playoffs and upgrading the Shortstop position, an increased fan interest for 2038 and a Championship team in 2041. This is in addition to the desire to acquire a hometown player, to rebuild the farm, and to win more close games.
Finances
Owner Sherman cuts $10m from the player payroll budget to $170m while retaining the budget at a high $234m. This is off the back of a return to 3m+ attendees at the stadium, with the stadium only 500 fans short of a sell out each day. The ticket price is in line with similarly performing teams and the hope will be that the Royals can have a 100% capacity season in the coming years.
Personnel
There were three departures from the Royals coaching staff following the completion of the season:
After one season at AA following a career in A ball, and with the AA Manager of the Year award in hand, Johnny Isom retires from baseball.
ACL R Pitching Coach Adam Wheaton leaves after his one season with the team. He was always seen as a stop gap by management.
DSL R Stewart Pitching Coach Jhoulys Chacin leaves the organisation after failing to agree a new deal. The Royals would have liked to keep him, but he was looking for a promotion that was simply not available within the system.
Minor Leagues
Awards
DSL Peter O'Brien Manager of the Year 2
AA Johnny Isom Manager of the Year 4
AAA Generoso Gonzalez Manager of the Year 2
DSL Juan Moralez 2029 Scouting Discovery Most Valuable Player Award
A+ Nick Patel 2028 Scouting Discovery Outstanding Pitcher Award
AAA Ethan Chafin 2033 Trade WAS Outstanding Pitcher Award
Notable Retirements
2030
3rd Round SS Ian Gordon – A 2033 Golden Glove SS at AAA, Gordon just didn’t have the bat to make an impression in the Big Leagues and retires as someone who didn’t reach his potential.
10th Round SS Bobby Goode – A Platinum Stick winner at SS in 2032 at A ball and 2034 in AA ball, Goode retires from AA ball
11th Round CF Andy Sczesny – A 2033 and 2034 Gold Glove winner in A ball, Sczesny completed the double by winning the Platinum Bat in 2033 as well but never made it out of A ball
15th Round RP Chris Butler - progressed to AAA without ever being considered for a shot in the Big Leagues
2031
17th Round CF Pete Austin - The 2032 Rookie Platinum Stick winner at CF moved to AA in 2033 and won a Gold Glove, Platinum Stick, and the league MVP. His career stalled at AAA.
2032
19th Round SP Andy Schmeltzer – progressed to AA before retirement
KC Top 500 Prospects Performance
Andy Alexander shows the best development over the year, his 8.6 WAR coming across two levels as his power sees him hit 50 HRs. He will start in AAA in 2037 with the only concern being how his 45 contact will transfer to the Big Leagues. Also impressive were SS Jon Basiliere (looking to earn the starting job in 2037) and Takara Takayama (177 wRC+) who may get a chance at 1B while Moreno recovers.
Pitching wise, Ethan Chafin (0.90 WHIP) is ready for the Big Leagues after winning the AAA Pitcher of the Year Award while both Chris Wolff (1.06 WHIP) and Jonathon Cote (0.99 WHIP) will hope to join him.
