Zero to Hero - A Scotsman in MLB

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Major League Predictions





Opening Day Lineup



Opening Day Roster Transactions

Thursday, March 31st , 2039
Optioned C Juan Carrillo to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
3B David Estrada was designated for assignment and placed on waivers.
Optioned LF Jamie Edwards to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned CF Chase Standberry to Triple A Omaha.

Opening Day Pitching Battery



Opening Day Roster Transactions

Thursday, March 31st , 2039
Optioned RP Jamie Baggett to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Optioned RP Joe Davis to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned RP David Vela to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned RP Omari Hammie to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned RP Dan Carrig to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned RP Dan Acton to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned RP Jeremy Miller to Triple A Omaha.
RP Edgar Alba was designated for assignment and placed on waivers.

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KC Top Prospects



While the depth remains in the Royals system (21 players in the top 200, 9 in the top 100), the spread age wise is a little more even with a couple of top prospects at AA level to go with several MLB-ready players either on the roster or starting at AAA.

MLB Top Prospects



After the glut of MLB players on the list in 2038 it is perhaps not surprising to see fewer this year although with only two even at AAA level this may not be the year of rookie impact.

MLB Farm Systems

A combination of trades and development has moved the Royals up these rankings with five players in the top 50 prospects in baseball giving them the 2nd best farm in the league.

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MLB Standings



Kansas City Results



Kansas City Team Statistics





Transactions & Injuries

Monday, April 4th , 2039
1B Jeremy Rogerson was injured while running the bases. The Diagnosis: high ankle sprain. He's expected to miss about 6 weeks.
Purchased the contract of 3B Edgar Cavazos from Triple A Omaha.
Sunday, April 24th , 2039
Sent SS TJ Pompey to Triple A Omaha for injury rehab.

Minor League News

Andres Madrigal may be much younger than other hitters in the Carolina League, but he performed like a seasoned veteran in April to win the Batter of the Month award.

The 19-year-old Columbia left fielder hit .358 with 5 home runs, 15 RBIs and 15 runs scored.

Bailey Pinsmail of Northwest Arkansas had an outstanding April with a 4-0 mark and was chosen the Pitcher of the Month in the Texas League.

He topped off the month with a 1.07 ERA in 4 starts, tossed 25.1 innings, fanned 36 and held opposing teams to a .176 average.

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MLB Standings



Kansas City Results



Kansas City Team Statistics





Transactions & Injuries

Thursday, May 5th , 2039
Optioned SS Jon Basiliere to Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of SS TJ Pompey from Triple A Omaha.
Saturday, May 14th , 2039
SS TJ Pompey was injured while running the bases. The diagnosis is not yet known.
Sent 1B Jeremy Rogerson to Triple A Omaha for injury rehab.
Tuesday, May 17th , 2039
SS TJ Pompey diagnosed with a strained back muscle, will miss 4 weeks.
Purchased the contract of 1B Jeremy Rogerson from Triple A Omaha.
Tuesday, May 24th , 2039
Optioned CF Esteban Medina to Triple A Omaha.
Wednesday, May 25th , 2039
RP Eric Jones was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: back tightness. This is a day-to-day injury expected to last 2 weeks.
Purchased the contract of RP Jeremy Miller from Triple A Omaha.

Minor League News

Which International League hurler dominated in the month of May?
According to the voters who decide the International League Pitcher of the Month award, it was Dan Carrig of the Omaha Storm Chasers.

He put together a record of 5-0 with an ERA of 1.36 in 5 starting assignments. In addition, he struck out 48 in 33 innings.

To date this season, Carrig has a record of 8 wins and 1 loss and a 2.87 ERA. He has appeared in 11 games and struck out 90 in 69 innings.

When Ben Lane takes the mound, a Kansas City (ACL) victory is usually the result. At least that's the way it was in May.

He excelled with a 3-1 mark and a 2.84 ERA in 5 starts, tossed 25.1 innings, fanned 28 and held opposing batters to a .212 average.

That's why the Royals starter was honored today as the Pitcher of the Month by the Arizona Complex League.

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MLB Standings



Kansas City Results



Kansas City Team Statistics





Transactions & Injuries

Wednesday, June 1st , 2039
Traded 34-year old SS TJ Pompey (retaining 55%) and 23-year old minor league 1B Tilmão Antnia to the Colorado Rockies, getting 31-year old 2B Jeff Dost and $20,000,000 in cash in return.
Optioned SS Nate Williams to Triple A Omaha.
Placed 2B Jeff Dost on the active roster.

A big move for the Royals on the first day of the month as TJ Pompey, injured twice already for the season and hitting free agency at the end of the year, is packaged with organisational piece Tilmão Antnia to bring in a new defensive centrefielder in Jeff Dost plus cash. Dost can play across the infield or at CF and will be tasked with replacing Drew Burress who has regressed and put up -8.5 ZR for the season.

Minor League News

June's Batter of the Month has been announced by the Midwest League. This month's trophy was presented to the Quad Cities second baseman, Gilberto Matos.

He starred by hitting .371 with a .462 on-base percentage, totaled 33 hits in 89 at-bats, 7 home runs, 20 RBIs and scored 21 runs.

So far in 2039 Matos is batting .289 with 13 home runs, 45 RBIs and 43 runs scored. He has 74 hits in 256 at-bats and a .381 OBP.

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The Royals have five players selected as All Stars, three first timers in starting pitcher Eddie Baquerizo, reliever Banmei Kataoka, and 1B Bob Crimi. Sam Hart receives his third selection with Edgar Mir his fifth.

SP Eddie Baquerizo (KC) - 4-3, 2.36 ERA, 114.1 IP, 1.00 WHIP, 10.1 K/9, 3.7 WAR
RP Banmei Kataoka (KC) - 2-2, 0.65 ERA, 55.0 IP, 0.84 WHIP, 9.0 K/9, 2.1 WAR
C Sam Hart (KC) - .230/.317/.395, 261 AB, 8 HR, 88 wRC+, 1.5 WAR
1B Bob Crimi (KC) - .296/.361/.524, 334 AB, 19 HR, 9 SB, 132 wRC+, 2.1 WAR
2B Edgar Mir (KC)* - .280/.393/.472, 322 AB, 12 HR, 14 SB, 134 wRC+, 3.9 WAR

Only one former Royal was selected with Juan Soreni earning his 5th selection.

CF Juan Soreni (CLE)* - .239/.349/.542, 238 AB, 21 HR, 137 wRC+, 2.8 WAR

Baquerizo and Kataoka both pitched a one-hit inning, while Edgar Mir struck out in both his at-bats and Sam Hart went 1-3. Crimi didn’t get onto the field in his first All-Star appearance.





The Royals All-Star selections reflect the performance of their bats in the first half of the season and, while snubbed in All-Star selections, both Billy Mumaugh and Jimmy Goodman have put up solid 2 WAR+ seasons so far.

The left side of the infield has been the challenge with Marquis Foggier relying on his stellar defense to keep him in positive WAR despite a 67 wRC+.



The Royals rotation is in good shape with only Ethan Chafin having a FIP- that is not below league average and Curt Bogans probably unlucky not to earn an All Star selection.

The bullpen has been up and down with Brad Demarest and Pat Burch in danger of replacement if the right opportunity presents itself in trades or promotions while three pitchers have contributed over 1 WAR already.

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Owner Goals

Team Record:
Winning sure feels good and you have been doing a lot of it during the first half of the year. Don't stop now! Get the guys to keep it up, so we can hit our preseason goal of making the playoffs.

Upgrade a position:
Bob Crimi has definitely improved -- so much so that he's solidified the team at First Base. Is he in the top-6 at the position? Maybe not, but he's raised his level of play, nonetheless.

Improve your team record:
I was hoping for better results in road games. Please keep working on it.

During our time working together, I have been good with your progress towards the goals I have set out for you. Considering your current and past successes, I am happy with your overall performance. It's important to have success on-field and in the boardroom, and you seem to be on that path.

The final evaluation towards these goals will come at the end of the season. Good luck in the second half!

Prospect Performance



2039 Draft

The Royals picked 30th in the 2039 draft and went for the best College player left to them as they picked up Catcher Zach Herr. Herr is an elite defensive catcher with a potential to combine an above average eye with plus power.



The Royals played safe with their second-round pick then took chances of high school players with the rest of their bonus picks.

Round 2, Pick 31 - SP Chris Kern, age 21 out of college (Sacramento State; Sacramento, CA)
Round 3, Pick 25 - 2B Eddy Cordero, age 17 out of high school
Round 4, Pick 27 - SS Kelington Raw, age 18 out of high school
Round 5, Pick 28 - C Zach Riendeau, age 18 out of high school

Three pitchers, the 13th, 14th, and 20th round picks, will start in A ball while the rest of the class will start in Rookie ball. All 20 drafted players signed with the Royals in 2039.

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MLB Standings



Kansas City Results



Kansas City Team Statistics





Transactions & Injuries

Friday, July 1st , 2039
Optioned RP Jeremy Miller to Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of RP Eric Jones from Triple A Omaha.
Saturday, July 2nd , 2039
SS Jeremy Rogerson was injured while running the bases. The diagnosis is not yet known.
Monday, July 4th , 2039
SS Jeremy Rogerson diagnosed with a fractured knee, will miss 5-6 months.
Traded 23-year old minor league RHP Kevin Blueitt, 19-year old minor league C Luis Abril, 25-year old minor league SS Nate Williams, and 19-year old minor league RF Juan Rosales to the San Francisco Giants, getting 35-year old SS Sincere Latin (retaining 25%) in return.
Optioned 3B Edgar Cavazos to Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of CF Chase Standberry from Triple A Omaha.
Wednesday, July 6th , 2039
RP Luis Dillard was designated for assignment and placed on waivers.
Saturday, July 16th , 2039
SS Sincere Latin was injured while running the bases. The Diagnosis: recurring back spasms. He's expected to miss about 4-5 weeks.
Traded 24-year old minor league LF Josh Hatfield and 22-year old minor league LF Alejandro Huron to the Chicago Cubs, getting 31-year old SS Bruce Zglinicki (retaining 50%) in return.
Saturday, July 30th , 2039
Sent LF Enny Mijhail Van Dyke to Triple A Omaha for injury rehab.
Optioned RP Brad Demarest to Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of RP Dan Acton from Triple A Omaha.
Traded 24-year old RHP Pat Burch to the Cincinnati Reds, getting 23-year old RHP Phil Peeples and 20-year old minor league LHP C.J. Frazee in return.
Placed SP Phil Peeples on the active roster.

Injuries led to several knee jerk trades by the Royals in trade deadline month. Losing Jeremy Rogerson for the remainder of the season was a huge blow and may signal the end of Rogerson’s time the Royals.

Kansas City moved quickly to bring in elite SS Sincere Latin from the Giants, the cost of which was SS Nate Williams, along with several young prospects. This solidification of the infield defensively allowed the Royals to call up Chase Standberry for the first time, with the young outfielder likely to be starting in CF before the end of the season.

As is always a risk with a veteran the Royals then lost Latin for a month and feeling the pressure from the Guardians in the race decided to go back to the SS market, bringing in All-Star Bruce Zglincki, although only paying half his salary. The cost was trade acquisition Josh Hatfield and former International Amateur signing Alejandro Huron.

Finally, approaching trade deadline the Royals moved on from flyball pitcher Pat Burch, which may be a long term mistake but the Royals are confident of getting 2039 value from Phil Peeples with C.J. Frazee a nice bonus in the trade.

Minor League News

The International League announced the winner of the Pitcher of the Month Award for July.

It went to Jonathan DePalmer of Omaha for his outstanding 4-0 record and 1.55 ERA.

DePalmer also chalked up 4 starts, 29 innings and 29 strikeouts.

This season, DePalmer shows a 8-6 record in 20 games, 124.1 innings, 111 strikeouts, and a 3.62 ERA.

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MLB Standings



Kansas City Results



Kansas City Team Statistics





In an impressive mound performance, Eddie Baquerizo of the Kansas City Royals checked the Detroit Tigers on a 2-hitter and held them scoreless.

"He was getting ahead of us and keeping the ball off the plate," said Detroit manager Danny Hernandez. "Baquerizo kept us confused the whole game."

The Kansas City hurler rang up 8 strikeouts and issued 1 walk in his 5-0 shutout victory.

In 28 starts this year, Baquerizo has fashioned a 5-5 record and a 2.94 ERA.

Transactions & Injuries

Thursday, August 4th , 2039
SP B.J. Heaton was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: forearm tendinitis. He's expected to miss about one week.
Purchased the contract of SP Bailey Pinsmail from Triple A Omaha.
Saturday, August 6th , 2039
LF Billy Mumaugh was injured while running the bases. The diagnosis is not yet known.
Monday, August 8th , 2039
Signed SP Bailey Pinsmail to a 13-year contract extension worth a total of $87,000,000.
Wednesday, August 10th , 2039
LF Billy Mumaugh diagnosed with a strained hamstring, will miss 4-5 weeks.
Purchased the contract of LF Enny Mijhail Van Dyke from Triple A Omaha.
CF Jeff Dost was designated for assignment and placed on waivers.
Purchased the contract of LF Jamie Edwards from Triple A Omaha.
Saturday, August 13th , 2039
2B Jeff Dost was claimed off waivers by Chicago.
Monday, August 15th , 2039
Sent SS Sincere Latin to Triple A Omaha for injury rehab.
Saturday, August 20th , 2039
Optioned RP Dan Acton to Triple A Omaha.
Placed SP B.J. Heaton on the active roster.
Activated SP B.J. Heaton from the injured list.

Bailey Pinsmail is called up for the first time when B.J. Heaton suffers an injury. Pimsail, a 2034 scouting discovery, immediately signs a 13-year contract worth $87m as his first start sees him pitch 8.0 innings and give up one hit against the Yankees.

Minor League News

Andres Ramos of the Quad Cities River Bandits is in the spotlight today. The bullpen ace was named the #1 pitcher in the Midwest League for August.

He compiled a 4-0 record and an ERA of 1.08 in 16.2 innings with 33 strikeouts. Ramos nailed down no saves in no save opportunities.

For the year, Ramos has collected no saves in 3 relief appearances. He has also notched 131 strikeouts and 52 walks in 93 innings while registering a 3.97 ERA and a 9-5 won-lost record.

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MLB Standings



Kansas City Results

The Kansas City Royals now traditional pennant clinching series against the Giants took place from 23-25 September with the Royals winning the pennant for the third year in a row against SF on the 24th.



Kansas City Team Statistics




Anyone wearing a glove and sitting in the bleachers for today's Royals-Twins game had a good chance at snagging a home run ball.

Kansas City first baseman Bob Crimi thrice sent eager fans scurrying to catch a souvenir, helping lead the Kansas City to a win, 15-2, over Minnesota.

5 hits in a game is a rare thing, but Kansas City's Bob Crimi made it happen against the Twins. Everything came together at the plate for the 25-year-old first baseman as he collected 5 hits in 5 at-bats -- and helped the Royals triumph, 15-2, at Kauffman Stadium.

"Hey, the three homers were great, but I'm just trying to help my ballclub," Crimi said later. "I'm not going out there thinking I need another home run."

Crimi, who is tied for 9th in the AL in total bases with 262, was 5-for-5 on the day with 5 RBI.

Bob Crimi hit a solo-shot off Chris Ragain in the 1st, hit a three-run home run off Chris Ragain in the 2nd, singled in the 5th, singled in the 6th and hit a solo-shot off Mitch Cahill in the 8th.

This year, Crimi is batting .299 with 148 hits and 29 home runs. He has scored 86 times and has batted in 92 runs.



Ethan Chafin of the Kansas City Royals outdistanced his peers on the mound this month. He fashioned a fine 4-2 won-lost mark and 2.51 ERA in 6 starts to get the American League Pitcher of the Month honors.

Chafin had a very impressive September, finishing with 53 strikeouts in 43 innings and holding opposing hitters to a .141 average.

So far this year, Chafin has made 33 starts, tossed 216.2 innings, struck out 248 batters and walked 74. His record is 20-4 with a 3.28 ERA and he has limited opposing teams to a .211 batting average.

Transactions & Injuries

Thursday, September 1st , 2039
RP Phil Peeples was injured while pitching. The diagnosis is not yet known.
Purchased the contract of RP Dan Acton from Triple A Omaha.
Recalled SS Sincere Latin from Triple A Omaha.
Sunday, September 4th , 2039
RP Phil Peeples diagnosed with a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament, will miss 6-7 months.
Purchased the contract of RP Nate Avis from Triple A Omaha.
Friday, September 9th , 2039
Sent LF Billy Mumaugh to Triple A Omaha for injury rehab.
Saturday, September 10th , 2039
SP Min-ho Kim was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: sore shoulder. This is a day-to-day injury expected to last 1-2 weeks.
Purchased the contract of SP Brad Demarest from Triple A Omaha.
Friday, September 16th , 2039
Purchased the contract of LF Billy Mumaugh from Triple A Omaha.
Sunday, September 18th , 2039
SS Sincere Latin was injured while running the bases. The diagnosis is not yet known.
Monday, September 19th , 2039
SS Sincere Latin diagnosed with chronic back soreness, will miss 3 weeks.
Monday, September 26th , 2039
Activated SP Min-ho Kim from the injured list.

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The Royals drop the last game of the season to miss out on a third 100-win season in a row, finishing 99-63.






For the second year in a row the Royals end the season with the same record as the Dodgers, and the second best record in the American League. Royals fans will be hoping this year sees the team go one better than 2038’s World Series loss.



Underperforming their expected record by seven games is probably a result of that poor start to the season although their performance in close games is more of a concern, with losing records in both extra inning and one-run games.

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The Royals will take on the winner of the Astros-Angels Wild Card Series. That would be a 4th match up against the Astros, having the lost the Championship Series back in 2035 while it would only be a second post season series between the Royals and the Angels, and the first since the Royals swept the Angels in the Division Series on the way to the World Series (which they lost to the Giants) in 2014.

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The Royals will take on the Angels for a place in the AL Championship, after the Angels blew out the Astros 13-4 in a deciding game three of their Wild Card Series.

The Angels (96-66) won the AL West while scoring the second most runs (behind the Royals) and giving up the fourth most (Royals – 2nd).

Their batting line up is led by RF Steve Metzger, who hit .292 with 24 HRs and 109 RBIs. Callum McLean is their second corner OF and he hit .300 while stealing 54 bases. They will be missing 2B Ethan Holliday for the series.

Their pitching is led by their bullpen, the best in the AL. They had three RP with an ERA under 3.00, including former Royal Blade Tidwell, while their closer Jon Gray recorded 42 saves in the season.

Game 1 in Kansas City: Min-ho Kim vs. Naquan Darrisaw (2035 8th Round)
• Kansas wins 3-0
• Kim (W): 8.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R
• Darrisaw (L): 7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R
• Jon Hall (SV): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R
• 1-0 Kansas City

Game 2 in Kansas City: Eddie Baquerizo vs. Chris Weathers (Waivers TB 2035)
• Kansas wins 4-2
• Baquerizo: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R
• Weathers (L): 5.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R
• Art Putney (W): 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R
• Hall (SV): 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R
• Kansas HRs: Bob Crimi (1st Inning, 2-R)
• 2-0 Kansas City

Game 3 in Los Angeles: Curt Bogans vs. Jorge Santa Cruz (2039 MiL FA)
• Los Angeles win 5-3
• Santa Cruz: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R
• Bogans (L): 6 IP, 8 H, 5 R
• Blade Tidwell (W): 5.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R
• Jon Gray (SV): 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R
• Los Angeles HRs: Steven Metzger (5th Inning, 2R)
• Kansas City HRs: Edgar Mir 8th Inning, 2R)
• 2-1 Kansas City

Game 4 in Los Angeles: Ethan Chafin vs. Brad Crumley (2038 Trade DET)
• Kansas wins 8-6
• Chafin (W): 6 IP, 7 H, 4 R
• Crumley (L): 5.0 IP, 5 H, 6 R
• Banmei Kataoka (SV): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R
• Kansas City HRs: Jimmy Goodman (2nd Inning, 2R), Enny Van Dyke (3rd Inning), Mir (6th Inning, 3R; 8th Inning, 2R)
• POTG: Edgar Mir 2-4, 2 HR, 5 RBI
• 3-1 KANSAS CITY WINS

Series MVP: Edgar Mir (KC) .533 AVG, 3 HRs, 9 RBI