Zero to Hero - A Scotsman in MLB

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International Amateurs

We just completed our monthly private practice with many young international amateur free agents who we hope can aid our club in the coming years. It was great to meet the players in-person and get to know them better, and I was able to improve my scouting assessment on all invitees.

In fact some of the players impressed me, since they showcased a higher potential than I had previously expected from them:

Jorge Asebedo, 16 year-old CF out of Mexico
Lean and athletic, Jorge Asebedo hails from Río Bravo, Mexico. He is a dynamic talent with massive raw power potential. He has above average contact skills, a smooth swing with quick hands and good pitch recognition. He should have decent judgement of the strike zone. Asebedo has a high ceiling and projects well on the field and at the plate.

David Mancero, 16 year-old C out of Dominican Republic
Lean and athletic, David Mancero hails from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Once he fully develops he should have enough power to be a home run threat at the plate. He always provides his team with good, consistent defense. He should demonstrate good plate discipline. Mancero looks like a potential regular in a key role at the big league level.

It was a great practice and none of the invitees disappointed in showcasing their talent.

And other players that I was able to further assess were:
Daniel Guerra, 16 year-old 2B out of Dominican Republic
Luis Quintanilla, 16 year-old 3B out of Netherlands Antilles
Edgar Quintero, 17 year-old SS out of Dominican Republic
Nelson Covarrubias, 16 year-old SS out of Dominican Republic
Juan Landeros, 16 year-old RF out of Dominican Republic
Jorge Soriano, 16 year-old CF out of Panama
Aroghetto Badoglio, 17 year-old RF out of Italy
Juan Mendoza, 18 year-old 2B out of Dominican Republic

Development Lab

Mike Connelly has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at left field.

Gilberto Matos has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at second base.

Bob Crimi has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at center field.

Sam Hart has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at catcher.

• No noticeable changes.

Chris Slate has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his defense at left field.

• Outfield arm rating improves by <5
• Outfield range rating improves by <5
• Outfield error rating improves by <5

Edgar Mir has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his defense at second base.

• Infield arm rating improves by 5
• Infield range rating improves by <5
• Infield error rating improves by <5
• Turn doubleplay rating improves by <5

Chase Standberry has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his defense at center field.

• Outfield arm rating improves by 5
• Outfield range rating improves by 5
• Outfield error rating improves by <5

Jamie Edwards has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his defense at center field.

• Outfield arm rating improves by <5
• Outfield range rating improves by 5
• Outfield error rating improves by <5

Rule 5 Draft Trades & 42-man Changes

Friday, December 7th , 2040
Placed RP Tug Adams on the secondary (42-man) roster.
Placed RP Jimmy Cappello on the secondary (42-man) roster.
Placed C Steve Mazzanti on the secondary (42-man) roster.
Placed RP Mike McDaniel on the secondary (42-man) roster.
Placed 2B Andres Raygoza on the secondary (42-man) roster.

Traded 21-year old minor league RHP David Padilla to the St. Louis Cardinals, getting 23-year old minor league RHP Ernesto Soriano and $5,000,000 in cash in return.
Traded 27-year old minor league 3B Jon Basiliere to the New York Yankees, getting 25-year old minor league LHP Battista Caruso in return.

There were the usual moves to protect as many Rule 5 eligible players as possible with the inevitable logjam meaning trades.

SP David Padilla was acquired from Detroit in 2036 and had made his way up to AAA without there being a clear route for him to pitch in the big leagues. Acquiring some cash and a younger arm was an easy decision for the Royals. St Louis failed to protect him and Detroit selected him in the first round of the Rule 5 draft.

3B Jon Basiliere was a harder goodbye but he was out of options and better bats had overtaken the talented infielder. Caruso has the potential to offer a solid bullpen arm with two plus-plus pitches giving him plus-plus stuff to go with potential above average movement. His walk rate will determine his success as he will open in AA.

Monday, December 24th , 2040
Lost 3B Jesus Medina in the Rule 5 Draft to the Colorado Rockies.
Lost 2B Jorge Medrano in the Rule 5 Draft to the New York Yankees.
Lost CF Pat McGuinness in the Rule 5 Draft to the Boston Red Sox.
Lost C Jorge Mendiola in the Rule 5 Draft to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Lost SP Luis Medina in the Rule 5 Draft to the Detroit Tigers.

The logjam won in 2040 as the Royals lost five players in the draft. Luis Medina was a trade acquisition where cash was the more important part of the deal, Mendiola was 2034 International Amateur signing whose bat hasn’t developed to overcome the limited glove, Jorge Medrano was part of the 2036 International Amateur class who has a shot in the big leagues but had others ahead of him in Kansas City, Jesus Medina was another trade acquisition, while Pat McGuinness was a Minor Leage Free Agent.

Free Agents & Transactions

Sunday, December 9th , 2040
Signed free agent CL Dan Nichols to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,800,000.

Dan Nichols is signed on a one-year deal to see if he can replace Banmei Kanaoka’s innings in the bullpen at a fraction of the salary as a former Cy Young winner.







The dreaded Guru trip for Mike Connolly appears to have had a negative impact so the early months of the season will be critical to evaluate how much impact – from the options presented it seemed a suspension was the only appropriate course of action.

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Finance

As we get closer to the start of the season, I have reviewed the team's financial state as of this moment.
As a reminder, you have $238,000,000 available for the total team expenses for the season.

Development Lab

Jorge Calvo has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at third base.

Juan Parra has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at second base.

Mike Murphy has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at catcher.

Ken Troutman has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at center field.

Humberto Bustillos has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at shortstop.

Luis Aguilar has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at third base.

• No noticeable changes.

Andres Raygoza has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his defense at second base.
This program went quite smoothly for him.

• Infield arm rating improves by <5
• Infield range rating improves by <5
• Infield error rating improves by 5
• Turn doubleplay rating improves by <5

Zach Herr has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his defense at catcher.

• Catcher arm rating improves by 5
• Catcher ability rating improves by <5
• Catcher framing rating improves by <5

International Amateurs

We just completed our monthly private practice with many young international amateur free agents who we hope can aid our club in the coming years. It was great to meet the players in-person and get to know them better, and I was able to improve my scouting assessment on all invitees.

In fact some of the players impressed me, since they showcased a higher potential than I had previously expected from them:

Jorge Corujo, 16 year-old CF out of Dominican Republic
Lean and athletic, Jorge Corujo hails from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. This young man's swing is a thing of beauty and projects to be one of the best pure hitters of his generation. He is one of the fastest runners in the league. Corujo can be a second division starter at center fielder.

Edgar Quintero, 17 year-old SS out of Dominican Republic
Lean and athletic, Edgar Quintero hails from Nagua, Dominican Republic. He can put on a show in batting practice, and as he develops he has the power potential to impact the game. He may not compete for batting titles, but still projects to hit for a .290 batting average. He shows good pitch recognition at the plate. Quintero has the tools to develop into a star caliber shortstop.

However, a few invitees left me disappointed as they did not appear to match my previous assessment, although they may still end up being future stars:

Jorge Soriano, 16 year-old CF out of Panama
Jorge Soriano is a long, lean athletic center fielder who was born in Tocumen, Panama. He has a good swing. He won't likely set records, but could hit for a .290 batting average. He has shown raw power that should generate more home runs as his body matures. His speed grades out as above average. Soriano profiles as an above average player.

And other players that I was able to further assess were:
Nelson Nolasco, 16 year-old CF out of Venezuela
Juan Escobedo, 16 year-old CF out of Dominican Republic
Albert Regalado, 17 year-old RHP out of Venezuela
Rogelio Tafoya, 16 year-old SS out of Venezuela
Jorge Asebedo, 16 year-old CF out of Mexico
Aroghetto Badoglio, 17 year-old RF out of Italy
Nelson Covarrubias, 16 year-old SS out of Dominican Republic

The Royals settled on CF (not more likely corner outfielder) Jorge Asebedo as their primary target – above average contact with potential 80 power already sitting at 35 was too enticing and they duly signed him for $3.5m.



The Royals followed up with three further signings in January, with another CF, Jorge Corujo, someone with potential 80 contact to go with 80 speed and plus gap power who had impressed in camps and cost the Royals $2.5m. There would likely be further signings in February with the Royals looking to acquire additional International Money through trades.

Sunday, January 20th , 2041
Signed international amateur CL Albert Regalado out of Venezuela to a minor league contract with a $300,000 signing bonus.
Signed international amateur CF Juan Escobedo out of Dominican Republic to a minor league contract with a $800,000 signing bonus.
Monday, January 28th , 2041
Signed international amateur CF Jorge Corujo out of Dominican Republic to a minor league contract with a $2,500,000 signing bonus.

Transactions

Tuesday, January 15th , 2041
Traded 25-year old minor league RF Esteban Medina, 23-year old minor league C Steve Mazzanti, 21-year old minor league 3B Mike Schwind, 34-year old minor league 2B Luis Zesati, and $30,000,000 in cash to the Chicago Cubs, getting $2,000,000 in international amateur bonus pool room in return.
Monday, January 21st , 2041
Traded 35-year old minor league LF B.J. Abel to the Milwaukee Brewers, getting 31-year old 1B Adan Hadley and $850,000 in international amateur bonus pool room in return.
Monday, January 28th , 2041
Released 1B Adan Hadley.



A couple of trades to acquire additional International Amateur Bonus Pool money were completed with a raft of division two prospects sent to the Cubs for $2m dollars and then AAA depth B.J. Abel sent to the Brewers for an aging Adan Hadley’s $16m contract plus an extra $850k. In a ‘haters gonna hate’ move, the Royals took the popularity boost from Hadley then released him, utilising the cash reserves built up over the offseason.

The month ended with Sam Hart hoping to give back to the community, in contrast to Mike Connolly. The Royals obliged with the decision to start a charity – with the respective boost to fan interest (+10), along with loyalty and work ethic boosts to Sam Hart for what they are worth.

Hall of Fame

There are no new inductees into the Hall of Fame in 2041 as no one earns more than 60% of the vote.

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Development Lab

Jadon Tezeno has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at shortstop.

David Amaya has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at center field.

Robby Moll has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at first base.

Luis Aceves has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at second base.

Chris Albright has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at center field.

Chris Kern has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at center field.

• No noticeable changes.

Chris Ambrose has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his defense at third base.

• Infield arm rating improves by <5
• Infield range rating improves by <5
• Infield error rating improves by <5
• Turn doubleplay rating improves by <5

Bobby Nickelberry has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his two-strike approach.

Bob Morrison has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his quality of contact.

• No noticeable changes.

Estanislau Covete has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his quality of contact.

• Current babip rating improves by <5

Ben Lane has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his secondary pitch.

• Potential splitter stuff improves by 5
• Current splitter stuff improves by 5

Preseason & Spring Training

The Royals start their first preseason without Bobby Witt Jr. in almost 20 years with several new faces in Surprise, Arizona.

Thursday, February 21st , 2041
Recalled CF Ken Troutman from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of SP Joe Davis from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of RP Alfredo Cadena from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of C Gearl Jernigan from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of 1B Jorge Calvo from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of 2B Andres Raygoza from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of RF Chris Slate from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of RP Alvaro Baladez from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of RP Jon Yuhas from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of RP Tug Adams from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of RP Jimmy Cappello from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of SP Jonathan DePalmer from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of RP Mike McDaniel from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of RP Dan Acton from Triple A Omaha.
Friday, February 22nd , 2041
Invited non-roster RF Bobby Nickelberry to Spring Training camp.
Invited non-roster SP Ben Lane to Spring Training camp.
Invited non-roster RP Juan Anaya to Spring Training camp.
Invited non-roster RP Joe Manley to Spring Training camp.

The real competition will be in bullpen as the hitting side of the 27-man roster is virtually set although invite Bobby Nickelberry may have designs on shaking things up; the five star prospect ready to step up when he gets the chance.

The Royals avoided major injuries over the first week, going 6-2.

Transactions & Injuries

Two more International Amateurs were signed to bring the class to seven, with a small amount left over for potentially one final addition.

Saturday, February 2nd , 2041
Signed international amateur SS Edgar Arriaga out of Dominican Republic to a minor league contract with a $150,000 signing bonus.
Tuesday, February 5th , 2041
Signed international amateur C Luis Alvarado out of Dominican Republic to a minor league contract with a $250,000 signing bonus.

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Development Lab

Billy Mumaugh has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his base-stealing technique.

Chase Standberry has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his base-stealing technique.

• No noticeable changes.

Edgar Mir has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his base-stealing technique.

David Amaya has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his base-stealing technique.

Andres Raygoza has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his base-stealing technique.

• Stealing improves by <5
• Stealing aggressiveness improves by <5

Tony Thompson has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his base-stealing technique.

Luis Aceves has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his base-stealing technique.

• Stealing improves by 5
• Stealing aggressiveness improves by <5

Gilberto Matos has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his baserunning fundamentals.

• Baserunning rating improves by 5

Estanisoau Covete has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at third base.

Bob Morrison has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at shortstop.

• No noticeable changes.

Bobby Nickelberry has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his defense at right field.

• Outfield arm rating improves by <5
• Outfield range rating improves by <5
• Outfield error rating improves by <5

Spring Training

The Royals suffered minimal additional injuries over the rest of Spring Training as they put up an 18-9 record.

Wednesday, March 6th , 2041
1B Bob Crimi was injured while running the bases. The Diagnosis: strained oblique. This is a day-to-day injury expected to last 3 weeks.
Thursday, March 7th , 2041
CL Eric Jones was injured while pitching. The diagnosis is not yet known.
Friday, March 8th , 2041
CL Eric Jones diagnosed with back tightness, is day-to-day for 5 days.

Bob Crimi was expected to miss 3 weeks but his return is now unknown so he will start on the Injured list this season. Eric Jones was placed on the Injury list to prevent any risk but will be back for opening day.

Transactions

Thursday, March 28th , 2041
Received former Rule 5 draft pick 2B Jorge Medrano from the New York Yankees.

Only one transaction of note as Jorge Medrano failed to make it out of ST with the Yankees so returns to the Royals and he will start the season in Omaha.

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Major League Predictions

The computers think that there will be little change at the top of baseball as the Royals and Dodgers are both predicted to have 100-win seasons. The Royals are given a 109-53 record with both the top offense and top defense in the league. Billy Mumaugh is expected to have a bounceback season with 63 SBs while the only disappointment for the Royals is to see Mike Campney above him and expected to deliver a monster season. On the pitching side, Ethan Chafin is expected to lead the Royals although with a 3.31 ERA predicted there appear to be few weak links in the pitching staff.





Opening Day Lineup



It’s a new look for the Royal as they enter their first season since 2022 without Bobby Witt Jr. on the opening day roster.

With Bob Crimi starting the season on the injured list, only Edgar Mir returns from the playoff roster in the infield, while Natalino Villa wins the spot to replace Jimmy Goodman in the outfield, his offseason improvements seeing him take the starting CF position from Chase Standberry.

It is still very much a homegrown roster with nine of the thirteen signed by the Royals from the draft or as International Amateurs.

Opening Day Roster Transactions

Tuesday, March 26th , 2041
Optioned C Gearl Jernigan to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned 2B Andres Raygoza to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned CF Ken Troutman to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned RF Chris Slate to Triple A Omaha.
Assigned RF Bobby Nickelberry from Spring Training camp to Triple A Omaha.

Opening Day Pitching Battery



Dan Carrig replaces Min-ho Kim in the opening day rotation and, with Bailey Pinsmail back from injury, all five starters pitched in the rotation in 2040.

The bullpen is a mix of returners and new faces as a stuff-heavy collection has been put together. Every single reliever has plus stuff at minimum with some excitement as to how many Ks the Royals will record in 2041. Dan Nichols steps in the replace Banmei Kataoka in the Stopper role while Nate Avis beats out Eric Jones for the Closer role. Joe Manley and Jon Yuhas as the other two new faces to go with Nichols and the Royals will look to deliver a shut down bullpen in 2041. Manley was the surprise inclusion as the ST invite impressed to earn a spot and send some more experienced pitchers down to AAA.

Opening Day Roster Transactions

Tuesday, March 26th , 2041
Optioned RP Jimmy Cappello to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned RP Jonathan DePalmer to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned RP Alvaro Baladez to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned RP Tug Adams to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned RP Mike McDaniel to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned RP B.J. Heaton to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned RP Alfredo Cadena to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned RP Dan Acton to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned RP Joe Davis to Triple A Omaha.
Assigned RP Juan Anaya from Spring Training camp to Triple A Omaha.
Assigned RP Ben Lane from Spring Training camp to Triple A Omaha.
Placed RP Joe Manley on the secondary (42-man) roster. 

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KC Top Prospects

Five top-100 prospects start the season at the MLB level for the Royals with their top three prospects all at AAA level. With another four top-60 prospects at AAA this could prove to be a golden generation for the Royals and they will hope to see Bobby Nickelberry, Ben Lane, and Joe Davis all round out their development in Omaha and earn a spot in Kansas City at some point of the season.



MLB Top Prospects

There are only two of the top 20 prospects in baseball starting in MLB this eason but they are the numbers 1 and 3 players so excitement is understandably high. Behind them, there are five players at AAA, including the three Royals, who will all hope to make a big league impact during the season.



MLB Farm Systems

The Royals own the top farm in baseball which is no surprise with 14% of the top 100 prospects in baseball. This is one area the Royals are ahead of the Dodgers with their World Series rivals down in 27th. Stewart would trade most of the farm, though, for a first World Series!

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MLB Standings



Kansas City Results



Kansas City Statistics




This week's Player of the Week was Natalino Villa of the Kansas City Royals.

His big bat beat up on American League pitching for 13 hits in 30 at-bats, no home runs and 2 RBIs while hitting .433 and scoring 6 runs.

At the moment, Villa is hitting .325 with 1 home run and 10 RBIs. He has played in 26 games and scored 25 times.



Transactions & Injuries

Thursday, April 4th , 2041
Sent 1B Bob Crimi to Triple A Omaha for injury rehab.
Friday, April 12th , 2041
1B Bob Crimi diagnosed with a sprained thumb, will miss 4-5 weeks.
Saturday, April 27th , 2041
2B Edgar Mir was injured in a collision at a base. The Diagnosis: sprained wrist. This is a day-to-day injury expected to last 2 weeks.
Purchased the contract of 2B Andres Raygoza from Triple A Omaha.

Bob Crimi lasted a week into a rehab stint before damaging his thumb and he will miss another month recovering.

Minor League News

April is a month Albert Arellano will no doubt remember for quite some time to come.

The 29-year-old Columbia first baseman came through all month long for his club and has won honors as the Carolina League Batter of the Month.

His standout month saw him put up a .241 batting average, with 12 home runs, 21 RBIs, 14 runs scored and a .436 on-base percentage.

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MLB Standings



Kansas City Results



Kansas City Statistics





Transactions & Injuries

Wednesday, May 8th , 2041
Signed SP Dan Carrig to a 10-year contract extension worth a total of $97,000,000.
Thursday, May 9th , 2041
Optioned 2B Andres Raygoza to Triple A Omaha.
Activated 2B Edgar Mir from the injured list.
Saturday, May 11th , 2041
RP Eric Jones was injured while pitching. The diagnosis is not yet known.
Monday, May 13th , 2041
Sent 1B Bob Crimi to Triple A Omaha for injury rehab.
Tuesday, May 14th , 2041
RP Eric Jones diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament, will miss 12 months.
Placed RP Flossy Giordano on the secondary (42-man) roster.
Purchased the contract of RP Flossy Giordano from Triple A Omaha.
Saturday, May 18th , 2041
CF Natalino Villa was injured on a defensive play. The diagnosis is not yet known.
Sunday, May 19th , 2041
CF Natalino Villa diagnosed with an oblique strain, will miss 8 weeks.
Purchased the contract of 1B Bob Crimi from Triple A Omaha.
RP Jon Hall was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: forearm tendinitis. He's expected to miss about one week.

The month opened with exciting news for Royals fan as Dan Carrig signed a 10-year contract to lock him up until after his 34th birthday although the final two years are Team Options.

The news wasn’t so positive for the rest of the month as the Royals lost RP Eric Jones for the year and then CF Natalino Villa for two months.

Bob Crimi will cover 1B and 5th OF for the month but Bobby Nickelberry is ready for promotion so pressure is one Jamie Edwards and Jorge Calvo with one likely facing demotion.

Minor League News

Omaha Storm Chasers hurler Joe Davis was rewarded today with the International League Pitcher of the Month honors. Davis, 24, realizes that pitching isn't all about how hard you can throw, it's about accuracy and about picking yourself up even when you've had a run of bad luck.

"I'd like to say I don't give them anything to hit," said the Omaha starter, "but that's not true. Every pitcher gives up a long ball now and then. Usually there's at least one mistake in each at-bat, but you've got to battle through your mistakes and build some positive momentum. The rest will fall into place."

Things did fall into place for Davis. In May he took the ball for 42 innings while notching 53 strikeouts, a 1.71 ERA and a 4-0 record.

His record for the year is 5-0 in 11 starts and Davis has a 2.03 ERA.

A hot-hitting Ismael Leyva punished TL pitchers in May, hitting .356 in 25 games while racking up 10 home runs, 31 RBIs and 20 runs scored.

With those numbers it came as no surprise that Northwest Arkansas's 22-year-old second baseman earned Texas League Batter of the Month honors.

For the season, Leyva is batting .388 with 45 hits and 13 home runs. He has scored 25 times and batted in 40.

Jesus Soto is the latest Texas League Pitcher of the Month award winner. The Northwest Arkansas starter stood out on the hill time and again last month and finished May with a sparkling 4-0 record.

In 5 starts last month, he fanned 42, walked 9 in 34.1 innings and posted a 2.36 ERA. Soto held opposing teams to a .210 batting average when he was on the mound.

This year, Soto has a 7-2 record and a 2.85 ERA.

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Owner Update

John Sherman, having turned 86 during April, had started to sense his own mortality and, despite the overflowing AL pennants now flying at Kaufmann Stadium, informed Stewart that he was changing his team focus from neutral to building a dynasty!


MLB Standings



Kansas City Results



Kansas City Statistics





Dan Carrig really put his best foot forward in June with 4 wins and 1 loss and walked off with the Pitcher of the Month honors in the American League. When he got the start for the Kansas City Royals, it was good news for his club, but bad news for the opposition.

In 36.2 innings of work, Carrig limited opposing batters to 22 base hits and a .163 batting average. He notched 55 strikeouts, issued 12 walks and had a 2.21 ERA.

To date this year, in 18 starts, Carrig has crafted a 9-5 mark with a 3.50 ERA.

Transactions & Injuries

Friday, June 21st , 2041
RF Billy Mumaugh was injured being hit by a pitch. The diagnosis is not yet known.
Saturday, June 22nd , 2041
Placed RF Bobby Nickelberry on the International League 7-day injured list, retroactive to 06/20/2041.
SP Bailey Pinsmail was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: sore shoulder. He's expected to miss about 5 weeks.
Purchased the contract of SP Joe Davis from Triple A Omaha.
Tuesday, June 25th , 2041
RF Billy Mumaugh diagnosed with a fractured foot, will miss 2 weeks.
Purchased the contract of RF Chris Slate from Triple A Omaha.

Bobby Nickelberry timed an injury at the worst possible time as he hit the injured list the day after Billy Mumaugh was hit by a pitch and will miss a couple of weeks. Chris Slate was the next man up to stake a long term claim for a role in the Big Leagues, although his first 6 starts didn’t go to his plan, with a 36 wRC+.

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The Royals were pitcher heavy in their All Star selections with starters Eddie Baquerizo (2) and Ethan Chafin selected alongside relievers Tsuguo Abe (2) and Dan Nichols (7). For Nichols it is a first AS selection since 2035, and first in a reliever role. It had been even longer for RF Billy Mumaugh, who earns his 4th AS selection and first since 2034, justifying the Royals decision to pick up his TO for this year.

SP Eddie Baquerizo (KC) - 12-2, 2.44 ERA, 107.0 IP, 0.97 WHIP, 8.6 K/9, 3.5 WAR
SP Ethan Chafin (KC) - 8-2, 2.78 ERA, 119.2 IP, 0.98 WHIP, 10.1 K/9, 3.4 WAR
RP Tsuguo Abe (KC) - 4-5, 11 SV, 2.65 ERA, 68.0 IP, 0.94 WHIP, 10.7 K/9, 1.2 WAR
RP Dan Nichols (KC)* - 6-3, 1.28 ERA, 77.1 IP, 1.00 WHIP, 9.8 K/9, 1.7 WAR
RF Billy Mumaugh (KC) - .273/.409/.446, 271 AB, 7 HR, 25 SB, 135 wRC+, 3.2 WAR

No former Royals earned an All-Star selection this year.



It was a touch All Star Game for Royals selections as Billy Mumaugh went 0-2 with a walk, Ethan Chafin gave up 3 H and 2 R in 1 IP, Dan Nichols pitched 0.2 innings, giving up 2 H and 2 R and Eddie Baquerizo didn’t enter the game. Tsuguo Abe faired better, striking out 3 and giving up 1 walk in his one inning of work.



The Royals bats were generally above league average without being exceptional across the first half of the season. The exceptions were Bob Crimi (143 wRC+) and Billy Mumaugh (134 wRC+) while Sam Hart (74 wRC+) and Edgar Mir (92 wRC+) were disappointing by their high standards. There is crunch coming in the outfield with Natalino Villa coming back to fitness and Bobby Nickelberry a couple of weeks behind that.

The new infield has impressed with Gilberto Matos (110 wRC+), Estanislau Covete (116 wRC+), and Bob Morrison (105 wRC+) all hitting above average, while the Royals still have the 3rd best defensive efficiency in the AL.



The starting rotation has been exceptions again with only Joe Davis (97 FIP-) with a FIP- above 80 amongst starters. In the bullpen, only Beralldino Caneas has a FIP- above 100, but he retains enough credit from last year to be given another month at least.

Unless there is something too big to turn down, the Royals are unlikely to acquire any new major league players ahead of the deadline.