Daily Clips
June 4, 2018
LOCAL
Royals aim to restock farm system in '18 Draft
Kansas City can boost rebuild efforts with five picks in top 58
June 3, 2018By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Junis' career-high 9-K gem spoiled by A's rally
June 3, 2018By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Kids vie for DC trip at Royals' Pitch, Hit & Run
June 3, 2018By Jordan Wolf/MLB.com
Royals' Whit Merrifield stole third base without a pitch being thrown
June 4, 2018By Pete Grathoff/KC Star
Royals waste good start by Jakob Junis against Athletics
June 3, 2018By Blair Kerkhoff/KC Star
How a 1942 Kansas City Monarchs cap became a piece of movie history in ‘The Sandlot’
June 4, 2018By Rustin Dodd/The Athletic
On Whit Merrifield’s scoreboard secret, another bullpen blowup, and a Royals loss to the A’s
June 3, 2018By Rustin Dodd/The Athletic
MINORS
Chasers Outlast Dodgers in Extras, 8-5
Omaha win road trip finale, begin new homestand on Tuesday
June 3, 2018By Omaha Storm Chasers
Midland takes the series with 5-2 win in finale
June 3, 2018By NW Arkansas Naturals
Wilmington Swipes Series from Salem
Viloria's Big Day at the Plate Leads Blue Rocks in Close Win
June 3, 2018By Wilmington Blue Rocks
Legends Secure Series Win Over Greenjackets with 6-5 Victory In Game Four
June 3, 2018By Lexington Legends
NATIONAL
Why a baseball agent is leaving the industry over $33,000: 'Tired of swimming in a sewer'
June 3, 2018By Bob Nightengale/USA Today Sports
MLB TRANSACTIONS
June 4, 2018 •.CBSSports.com
LOCAL
Royals aim to restock farm system in '18 Draft
Kansas City can boost rebuild efforts with five picks in top 58
June 3, 2018By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
The Royals' primary objectives this season were to shave payroll, which they have done, and to restock the farm system. This year's Draft, in which the Royals have five picks in the top 58, should help turbo charge that rebuilding process.
The 2018 Draft will take place Monday through Wednesday, beginning with the Draft preview show on MLB Network and MLB.com at 5 p.m. CT on Monday. MLB Network will broadcast the first 43 picks (Round 1 and Competitive Balance Round A), while MLB.com will stream all 78 picks on Day 1. MLB.com will also provide live pick-by-pick coverage of Rounds 3-10 on Day 2, with a preview show beginning at 11:30 a.m. CT. Then, Rounds 11-40 can be heard live on MLB.com on Day 3, beginning at 11 a.m. CT.
Go to MLB.com/draft to see the Top 200 Prospects list, projected top picks from MLB Pipeline analysts Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo, the complete order of selection and more. And follow @MLBDraft on Twitter to see what Draft hopefuls, clubs and experts are saying.
Here's how the Draft is shaping up for the Royals, whose first selection is the 18th overall pick.
In about 50 words
The Royals would be delighted if they can score with their high picks the way they did last year when they grabbed first baseman Nick Pratto with the 14th overall pick and catcher MJ Melendez with the 52nd overall pick. Pratto, the Royals' No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, and Melendez, their No. 4 prospect, each have scouts buzzing about their potential. General manager Dayton Moore has hinted each could have a quick path to the big leagues.
The scoop
Lonnie Goldberg is in his eighth season as scouting director and is certainly hoping to improve upon his first-round selections, which have been hit and miss -- Bubba Starling, Kyle Zimmer, Hunter Dozier, Brandon Finnegan, Foster Griffin, Ashe Russell and Pratto. Starling and Zimmer have been plagued by injuries, and Russell, the Royals' top pick in 2015, has an uncertain future because of confidence issues on the mound. Russell hasn't pitched since a brief appearance in rookie ball in 2016.
On the plus side, Goldberg scored with the selection of Finnegan, who was part of the 2015 trade to get Johnny Cueto, a deal instrumental to the Royals' World Series title in 2015. Dozier is on the 25-man roster now. Griffin impressed the Royals' coaching staff in Spring Training and could see time in the big leagues at some point later this season. We should also mention that Goldberg drafted left-hander Sean Manaea with the 34th overall pick in 2013 -- Manaea, who threw a no-hitter for the A's earlier this season, was traded to Oakland in the Ben Zobrist deal, another trade that helped secure that 2015 title.
First-round buzz
Callis notes the Royals could use their 18th overall pick on Jordyn Adams, an outfielder from Green Hope High School in Cary, N.C.
"If the Royals want Adams, they probably have to take him here to ensure they get him," writes Callis, who also reports the Royals have heavily scouted third baseman Jordan Groshans, a high schooler out of Texas.
Money matters
The Royals have the largest bonus pool ($12,781,900) of any team, thanks to compensatory picks for losing free agents Eric Hosmer and Lorenzo Cain.
Each pick in the first 10 rounds of the Draft has an assigned value, and the total for each of a club's selections equals what it can spend in those rounds without incurring a penalty. Any bonus money above $125,000 given to an individual player picked in rounds 11-40 also counts against a team's allotment.
The Royals' 18th overall pick has a signing allotment of $3,349,300, while their No. 33 pick is at $2,118,700 and their No. 34 pick is at $2,066,700.
Shopping list
The Royals' farm system has not received glowing rankings as of late, though Moore believes the talent level in the lower Minors -- where his next wave of potential stars reside -- can match any team's. That would be players such as the Royals' No. 1 prospect Khalil Lee, Pratto, No. 3 prospect Seuly Matias and Melendez. As always, the Royals, like all teams, will be hungry for pitching and there are some intriguing high school arms in this year's Draft, per MLB Pipeline. As stated, Moore's mission is to reload the Minor League system, and he and Goldberg will have plenty of ammo with all those high picks.
Trend watch
Three of the last four Royals' first-round picks came right out of high school.
Rising fast
Left-hander Richard Lovelady was a 10th-round pick in the 2016 Draft and has soared through the system. Lovelady, a reliever, has a plus fastball and plus secondary pitches to go with a deceptive motion. At Triple-A Omaha now, Lovelady could see time in the Majors after the Trade Deadline.
Cinderella story
Right-hander Jakob Junis was a 29th-round pick in 2011 and after a solid rookie season in 2017 (9-3, 4.30 ERA), Junis has emerged as a top-of-the-rotation pitcher with a bright future.
In The Show
Ten members of the Royals' current 25-man roster were Royals draft selections: Jason Adam (2010, 5th round); Danny Duffy (2007, 3rd round); Tim Hill (2014, 32nd round); Jakob Junis (2011, 29th round); Kevin McCarthy (2013, 16th round); Eric Skoglund, (2014, 3rd round); Dozier (2013, 1st round); Whit Merrifield (2010, 9th round); Mike Moustakas (2007, 1st round); Alex Gordon (2005, 1st round).
The Royals' recent top picks
2017: Nick Pratto, 1B, Class A Lexington
2016: No selection
2015: Ashe Russell, RHP, injured/unassigned
2014: Brandon Finnegan, LHP, Reds' Minor League system
2014: Foster Griffin, LHP, Class A-Advanced Northwest Arkansas
2013: Hunter Dozier, INF, Royals
Junis' career-high 9-K gem spoiled by A's rally
June 3, 2018By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Royals right-hander Jakob Junis was more dominant than his final pitching line will indicate.
Junis held the A's to one run and four hits through seven innings while striking out a career-high nine, but it wasn't enough as the Royals fell 5-1 in Sunday's rubber game at Kauffman Stadium.
The A's rallied for four runs off Junis and reliever Buch Smith in the fateful eighth inning.
The inning started when Junis threw a changeup down and in that Dustin Fowler blooped into no-man's land in center field.
"One of the few changeups I do throw," Junis said. "It was a good pitch and he blooped it off the end of the bat. Just didn't fall my way there."
One out later, Fowler stole second when catcher Salvador Perez whiffed on catching a 1-0 changeup to Jed Lowrie.
Junis then fell behind 3-0 to Lowrie, though each appeared to nick the outside corner. Junis then threw a sinker that caught too much of the plate and Lowrie lined an RBI single to center, giving the A's the lead.
"The second [pitch] where they stole, I think that one [was a strike]," Junis said, "but there's so much movement [with the catcher getting up to throw]."
As for the pitch to Lowrie on 3-0, Junis said he wasn't about to issue a walk.
"He's a pretty aggressive hitter," Junis said. "He wants those RBIs. I was going to take my chances and maybe he pops out or grounds out."
Both Smith and Kevin McCarthy had been warming up in the bullpen, but manager Ned Yost opted for Smith once the Royals fell behind.
"We had guys going everywhere down there [in the bullpen]," Yost said. "We had Timmy Hill up for [A's first baseman] Matt Olson, we had Burch Smith up if we gave up the lead. My mindset was that Khris Davis was going to be Jake's last hitter and then Timmy for Olson, whatever we could do to get to Kelvin [Herrera] in the ninth with the score tied.
"I wasn't going to use Mac down one and not have him for tomorrow."
Smith walked the first hitter he faced, and fell behind 3-0 to Olson, who then got the green light and belted a three-run home run. The home run was estimated to have traveled 454 feet, per Statcast™.
Jon Jay hit his first home run of the season for the Royals in the third inning, tying the score at 1.
"He just brings a consistent presence every single day," Yost said of Jay. "He's just been a great addition to our team."
MOMENT THAT MATTERED
Junis' slider was effective all day, and he used it when he needed it in the fifth inning. With two outs, Dustin Fowler singled sharply up the middle. Then Marcus Semien drew a walk. But Junis silenced the threat when he got Jed Lowrie swinging on a 1-2 slider down and in.
SOUND SMART
Jay's home run was his first since July 5 of last season when he was with the Cubs, and it was over a span of 442 at-bats, which had been the longest active homerless span for a non-pitcher in MLB.
HE SAID IT
"Not to give away one of our secrets, but when the "Get Loud!" sign comes on the scoreboard and the crowd gets loud, the pitcher can't hear. It's a good time to take off." -- Royals' Whit Merrifield, on how he stole third base in the sixth inning
UP NEXT
Left-hander Danny Duffy (2-6, 5.71 ERA) takes the mound for the Royals as they open a three-game set in Anaheim, Calif., against the Angels on Monday at 7:07 p.m. CT. Duffy has put together two straight strong outings, the latest against the Twins in which he gave up just four hits and one run over six innings. Right-hander Nick Tropeano (3-3, 3.80 ERA) will pitch for the Angels.
Kids vie for DC trip at Royals' Pitch, Hit & Run
June 3, 2018By Jordan Wolf/MLB.com
As the grounds crew pulled the tarp off the field at Kauffman Stadium on Saturday and the fresh June sun began to cut through the blanket of clouds that lined the sky, the 24 participants in this year's Scotts Major League Pitch, Hit & Run event took off on a jog around the warning track, ready to compete for a trip to the 2018 MLB All-Star Game in Washington, D.C.
While the potential of a trip to the nation's capital may have been on the minds of the competitors, they still didn't take for granted how far they had already come. Colby Deaver, the 11/12-year-old baseball division champion who qualified from Blue Springs, Mo., relished the opportunity to be so close to the highest level of the game he loves.
"Getting to be out on the field and see some of the [Oakland] Athletics' players down in the dugout, and have some fun with my sport," Deaver said when asked what he enjoyed most about the experience.
Three participants for each age and gender group were brought to The K after qualifying through local competitions. They threw at a mock strike zone, hit balls off a tee and ran from second to home to try to again place in the Top 3 in their classifications among competitors at all 30 Major League ballparks and qualify for the finals in D.C. The winners will be announced July 2 on MLB Network.
While winning the Kansas City competition doesn't automatically qualify the kids for the trip, that doesn't mean they will leave empty-handed if they don't make it. As a surprise, the winner of each age and gender group got to meet Royals pitcher Jakob Junis before the game.
Junis was a national finalist at age 10, attending the 2003 All-Star Game at then-U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago.
"Was I 10?" a surprised Junis joked. "Is that how long ago that was?"
The event served as the team's centerpiece for the MLB's Play Ball Weekend, a program chock full of activities to promote the game among local youth.
Royals pitchers Kevin McCarthy and Tim Hill joined team legends Willie Wilson and John Mayberry on Thursday to surprise kids downtown at the team's Urban Youth Academy. The team bus pulled up just as the group was about to begin practice, unexpectedly joining them on the field to teach them about the game.
"It's so big, just to have kids be able to go out every day and just be active at some point during the day," McCarthy said. "It's huge for their growing up and being healthy, and everything that covers that."
A select group of young baseball and softball players also took over the media's interview room before Saturday's game for a kids' press conference with Royals players and coaches. The kids asked a variety of different questions, ranging from goals on the field to simply what it's like to be in their shoes.
Manager Ned Yost particularly enjoyed the opportunity to connect with the kids. When asked what it was like to be a big-league skipper, he took the opportunity to emphasize the true purpose of the game -- which is what the weekend is really all about.
"It's fun," Yost said. "You get to have fun playing the game. I get to have fun watching you play and get better."
Royals' Whit Merrifield stole third base without a pitch being thrown
June 4, 2018By Pete Grathoff/KC Star
In this day of advanced stats in Major League Baseball, perhaps something more than just a stolen base should be awarded to Royals second baseman Whit Merrifield, who swiped third base Sunday during his team's 5-1 loss to Oakland.
The thievery was as bold as you'll see in a game.
Merrifield was at second base with two outs in the sixth inning of the game at Kauffman Stadium. Oakland pitcher Lou Trivino was deep in thought about how to pitch to Royals catcher Salvador Perez.
That's when Merrifield broke for third base. Trivino reacted late and threw wild, but Merrifield didn't advance.
But he did get the stolen base with his brazen action:
Click the link to view the video.
Royals waste good start by Jakob Junis against Athletics
June 3, 2018By Blair Kerkhoff/KC Star
Without much going on offensively, the Royals needed a spark. And Whit Merrifield provided it.
In the sixth inning, the Royals infielder walked and stole second. With two outs, and the 19,424 on a bright Sunday afternoon at Kauffman Stadium implored by the scoreboard to get loud, Merrifield took off for third before reliever Lou Trivino looked up.
When he did, Merrifield had a huge start and slid into third safely. The ball got past third baseman Matt Chapman and rolled into foul territory.
In a 1-1 game, a run would be precious here, and third base coach Mike Jirschele’s arm was a windmill of motion.
But Merrifield retreated to the bag.
“I didn’t know where the ball was when I slid into third,” Merrifield said. “If I had known instantly if it was a bad throw, I could have hopped up and scored. But when you have the moment of hesitation you have to shut it down.”
Merrifield didn’t score and the game remained tied until the eighth, when the A’s plated four to take a 5-1 victory and the series from the Royals.
The Royals and starter Jakob Junis needed the support. Junis was excellent through seven innings and finished with a career-best nine strikeouts.
“I had my slider working, and I went in with a good game plan,” said Junis, who fell to 5-5 and has lost back-to-back decisions for the first time in a career that started last season.