Daily Clips
April 5, 2018
LOCAL
Finale with Tigers PPD; rotation pushed back
Game rescheduled as part of day-night doubleheader on April 20; Duffy to start Friday; Grimm gaining trust
April 4, 2018By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Royals' series finale at Detroit postponed because of weather
April 4, 2018By Maria Torres/KC Star
Royals trade pitching prospect Miguel Almonte two days after dropping him from roster
April 4, 2018By Maria Torres/KC Star
Sungwoo Lee is raising the next generation of Royals fans in South Korea
April 4, 2018By Pete Grathoff/KC Star
Royals deal ex-Cornhuskers star Cody Asche to Yankees
April 4, 2018By Blair Kerkhoff/KC Star
MINORS
Where Royals' Top 30 prospects are starting season
April 4, 2018By Jim Callis/MLB.com
Talent, depth should put Omaha Storm Chasers in contention for division title during 50th season
April 4, 2018By Tony Boone/Omaha World-Herald
NATIONAL
Patek enjoys spending time with old mates
April 4, 2018By Fabian Ardaya/MLB.com
MLB TRANSACTIONS
April 5, 2018 •.CBSSports.com
LOCAL
Finale with Tigers PPD; rotation pushed back
Game rescheduled as part of day-night doubleheader on April 20; Duffy to start Friday; Grimm gaining trust
April 4, 2018By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
For the second time in four days, a Royals game was snowed out. Wednesday's scheduled series finale with the Tigers was postponed and will be made up April 20 as part of a day-night doubleheader at 12:10 p.m. CT and 6:10 p.m. CT.
Royals manager Ned Yost said Danny Duffy, who was scheduled to start Wednesday, will now pitch Friday, when the Royals travel to Cleveland for the Indians' home opener at 3:10 p.m. CT.
"We'll probably just move everyone back a day," Yost said. "I can't see myself making any adjustments."
Duffy has not pitched since Opening Day, but he said the long layoff wouldn't affect him. The left-hander had been battling shoulder stiffness after his last Spring Training start, so the rest might actually help.
"Obviously, more time to heal should help," Duffy said. "But I just don't think my shoulder is in a state that it would need help."
The forecast in Cleveland also calls for sub-freezing wind chills.
"I'll be ready," Duffy said. "It'll be cold, but we're tough customers."
Grimm in circle of trust?
It's no secret that Yost is looking for a reliable setup man to closer Kelvin Herrera. And while it's early, newcomer Justin Grimm is inching into Yost's circle of trust for that role.
Grimm has two consecutive holds, including a 1-2-3 outing in the Royals' 1-0 win on Tuesday.
"He's got a really good fastball, 93 [mph]," Yost said. "His breaking ball reminds me of Don Sutton's curveball. It's a hammer. If you get to two strikes without using it, the hammer then can strike out a hitter pretty easily."
The Royals had been hoping to find a reliever with a curveball to add variety to their bullpen, which consists primarily of sinker-slider pitchers. Grimm, signed during Spring Training, fits the bill.
"His curve has great downward action," Yost said. "We haven't had that type of breaking ball in the bullpen for a while."
Royals trade Asche
The Royals have traded infielder Cody Asche to the Yankees for a player to be named, or cash considerations.
Asche, 27, has played for the Phillies and the White Sox. He was a non-roster invite to Royals Spring Training and had been assigned to Triple-A Omaha.
Karns decision
Right-hander Nate Karns, on the 10-day disabled list because of right elbow inflammation, is eligible to be activated on Friday. But Yost said he's not sure Karns is quite ready.
"He felt it a little bit still in his last side," Yost said. "So I'd be a little surprised."
Royals deal prospect Almonte to Angels
The Angels acquired right-hander Miguel Almonte from the Royals for a player to be named or cash considerations on Wednesday. Kansas City had designated Almonte for assignment, after claiming former Indians outfielder Abraham Almonte (no relation) off waivers on Monday.
Almonte, 25, was ranked as the Royals' No. 12 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and posted a 1.72 ERA in 16 appearances (nine starts) between Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha last season. He was battling posterior right shoulder soreness at the time of his designation.
Royals' series finale at Detroit postponed because of weather
April 4, 2018By Maria Torres/KC Star
For the second time in a week, the Royals will not to play a previously scheduled game.
Wednesday's series finale with the Tigers at Comerica Park was postponed. A weather system encroached on the Detroit area overnight, bringing with it light snow showers and high winds. The actual temperature at the ballpark hovered above freezing around 10:30 a.m. Eastern time but, with wind chill factored in, it felt like 21 degrees.
The game will be made up as part of a day-night doubleheader in Detroit on Apr. 20.
The Royals (1-3) will head to Cleveland for a three-game series with the Indians beginning Friday. Left-hander Danny Duffy, who last pitched Thursday's season opener against the White Sox at Kauffman Stadium, will start the series opener.
Manager Ned Yost wasn't sure if he'd make any tweaks to the remainder of the rotation. Ian Kennedy and Jason Hammel are slated to pitch on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. As it stands now, rookie left-hander Eric Skoglund, who would have made his season debut in Detroit prior to the two postponements this week, won't start a game until the Royals return to Kauffman Stadium to face the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angels next week.
Royals trade pitching prospect Miguel Almonte two days after dropping him from roster
April 4, 2018By Maria Torres/KC Star
In a curious move, the Royals have traded prospect Miguel Almonte to the Los Angeles Angels. They will receive a player to be named later or cash considerations, the team announced Wednesday.
Almonte was designated for assignment on Monday to make room for Abraham Almonte, the former Indians outfielder who was suspended 80 games for testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug Boldenone in 2016, on the 40-man roster.
Miguel Almonte was scheduled to start the season at Class AAA Omaha on the disabled list. He developed soreness in his right shoulder during the final weeks of spring training.
The Royals had been encouraged by his progress on the mound. Last season, he seemed on the verge of a breakout year before arm discomfort sidelined him. Almonte limited hitters to a .244 average and struck out 52 last year. But a strained rotator cuff cut his season to 47 minor-league innings, during which he allowed nine runs for an ERA of 1.72.
This spring, Almonte continued to throw a powerful fastball and showed improved command of his breaking pitches. The Royals began to reconsider if they wanted to convert him to the bullpen permanently or if they wanted to return him to the Storm Chasers’ starting rotation.
Almonte was assigned to the Angels’ Class AAA affiliate in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Karns' return
The return of Royals pitcher Nate Karns to the active roster has still not been determined.
Karns was placed on the 10-day disabled list on Thursday with a retroactive date of March 26, so he is eligible for activation when the Royals begin a three-game series with the Indians in Cleveland on Friday.
But in a side session Tuesday at Comerica Park, Karns still experienced discomfort in his inflamed right elbow. Manager Ned Yost said on Wednesday he’d be surprised if Karns were ready to come back so soon.
“Still felt it a little bit in his elbow just very slightly right at the end,” Yost said. “It’s fluid buildup in the elbow. It’s not any type of injury or anything torn. He’s trying to get that fluid out so he can throw free and easy.”
Karns will pitch out of the bullpen once he returns from the disabled list. The Royals will remain open to shuffling him back into the rotation, but for the time being he could be used as a long reliever who can pitch two innings.
Soler's progress
Jorge Soler is hitless so far this season, but his patient approach at the plate has encouraged Yost.
Soler, who adjusted his swing with the help of a private instructor during the offseason, has seen an average of five pitches per plate appearance in his 11 turns in the batter's box. He's drawn two walks and struck out twice through three games.
At his best with the Cubs, Soler averaged 4.05 pitches per plate appearance in 2016. He drew 31 walks and struck out 66 times in 86 games that year.
"Soler did a nice piece of hitting," Yost said after Tuesday's win, in which Soler hit a sacrifice fly for his first RBI. "Stayed back on a change-up, got a little bit out front with his body but got his hands back enough to drive it to left field for the only run that we needed to win the ballgame."
Another trade
Utility man Cody Asche’s time with the Royals was short lived.
Before he could suit up for the season opener at Class AAA Omaha on Thursday, the Royals traded him to the New York Yankees for a player to be named later or cash considerations. He was assigned to the Yankees' Class AAA affiliate Scranton/Wilkes Barre.
Sungwoo Lee is raising the next generation of Royals fans in South Korea
April 4, 2018By Pete Grathoff/KC Star
The opening weekend of Royals baseball didn't go as most fans would have hoped. There was a blowout loss, a blown lead late that led to a defeat and a snowed-out game.
Saturday's contest against the White Sox was being played at the same time as the Final Four games, so fans in Kansas City had their attention divided.
But in South Korea, one Royals fan was glued to the Royals and he wasn't alone.
You may remember Sungwoo Lee, the South Korean Royals who visited Kansas City in August 2014, and became a bit of a celebrity as he visited the city and took in some games at Kauffman Stadium. He was featured in the New Yorker and was the subject of a "30 for 30" episode on ESPN.
While the Sungwoo mania has died down, his love of the Royals hasn't. In fact, he is raising his son to be a Royals fan. Here is what he tweeted during Saturday's game:
Here is what Sungwoo tweeted:
@Koreanfan_KC: Very often tossing, twisting and turning... even whining and crying...
maybe he can't remember this his 1st ever #Royals watch...
Try to be him #RaisedRoyal
Royals deal ex-Cornhuskers star Cody Asche to Yankees
April 4, 2018By Blair Kerkhoff/KC Star
Cody Asche’s time in the Royals organization was short-lived.
Asche, the former Nebraska star, was traded to the Yankees on Wednesday for a player to be named later or cash.
Asche joined the Royals in December on a minor-league contract. He had spent four seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, the team that drafted him, and hit .248 with 22 home runs in 2014 and 2015. He mostly played third base and later moved to left field.
Asche signed a minor-league deal with the White Sox and made the team out of spring training last year. But after hitting .105 in 19 games, he spent the rest of the season in the minors.
Asche, 27, was an All-Big 12 and second-team All-America third baseman in 2011, when he led the Cornhuskers with a .327 batting average and 12 home runs.
MINORS
Where Royals' Top 30 prospects are starting season
April 4, 2018By Jim Callis/MLB.com
With the 2018 season getting started, here's a look at where the Royals' Top 30 prospects are projected to start the season:
1. Khalil Lee, OF -- Wilmington Blue Rocks (A Adv)
2. Nick Pratto, 1B -- Lexington Legends (A)
3. Seuly Matias, OF -- Lexington Legends (A)
4. M.J. Melendez, C -- Lexington Legends (A)
5. Michael Gigliotti, OF -- Lexington Legends (A)
6. Nicky Lopez, SS/2B -- Northwest Arkansas Naturals (AA)
7. Hunter Dozier, 3B/OF -- Omaha Storm Chasers (AAA)
8. Eric Skoglund, LHP -- Kansas City Royals (MLB)
9. Scott Blewett, RHP -- Northwest Arkansas Naturals (AA)
10. Foster Griffin, LHP -- Northwest Arkansas Naturals (AA)
11. Emmanuel Rivera, 3B -- Wilmington Blue Rocks (A Adv)
12. Josh Staumont, RHP -- Omaha Storm Chasers (AAA)
13. Carlos Hernandez, RHP -- Lexington Legends (A)
14. Trevor Oaks, RHP -- Omaha Storm Chasers (AAA)
15. Donnie Dewees, OF -- Northwest Arkansas Naturals (AA)
16. Burch Smith, RHP -- Kansas City Royals (MLB)
17. Ryan O'Hearn, 1B/OF -- Omaha Storm Chasers (AAA)
18. Meibrys Viloria, C -- Wilmington Blue Rocks (A Adv)
19. Richard Lovelady, LHP -- Omaha Storm Chasers (AAA)
20. Daniel Tillo, LHP -- Lexington Legends (A)
21. Jeison Guzman, SS -- Lexington Legends (A)
22. Gabriel Cancel, 2B -- Wilmington Blue Rocks (A Adv)
23. Heath Fillmyer, RHP -- Omaha Storm Chasers (AAA)
24. Andres Machado, RHP -- Omaha Storm Chasers (AAA)
25. Evan Steele, LHP -- Extended spring training
26. Chase Vallot, C -- Wilmington Blue Rocks (A Adv)
27. Yefri Del Rosario, RHP -- Extended spring training
28. Janser Lara, RHP -- Extended spring training
29. Gerson Garabito, RHP -- Wilmington Blue Rocks (A Adv)
30. Samir Duenez, 1B -- Northwest Arkansas Naturals (AA)
Team to watch
The Royals have high expectations for their 2017 Draft class and have assigned four of their top five picks to low Class A Lexington: sweet-swinging first baseman Nick Pratto (first round), standout defensive catcher M.J. Melendez (second), athletic left-hander Daniel Tillo (third) and speedy center fielder Michael Gigliotti (fourth). The fifth, lefty Evan Steele (supplemental second), could join them after some time in extended spring training. The Legends also have outfielder Seuly Matias, who has the highest ceiling in the system, and right-hander Carlos Hernandez, whom one club official said could be Kansas City's best mound prospect by the end of the season.
Teams on MiLB.TV
Omaha Storm Chasers
Northwest Arkansas Travelers
Lexington Legends
Idaho Falls Chukars
New faces
The Royals spent the offseason adding right-handers to our Top 30 Prospects list. In December, they signed Yefri del Rosario for $650,000 after he became a free agent as part of the fallout from the Braves' international scandal, and also acquired Burch Smith in the Rule 5 Draft from the Rays via the Mets. In January, they grabbed Trevor Oaks in a three-team trade that sent Scott Alexander to the Dodgers and Joakim Soria to the White Sox, then picked up Heath Fillmyer as part of a deal that shipped Ryan Buchter and Brandon Moss to the Athletics
On the shelf
Everyone on Kansas City's Top 30 Prospects list is healthy to start the season.
Talent, depth should put Omaha Storm Chasers in contention for division title during 50th season
April 4, 2018By Tony Boone/Omaha World-Herald
Omaha will be turning back the clock during its 50th season to honor teams of its past.
Some of its more recent ones have been its most successful. The Triple-A franchise opened its Storm Chasers era at Werner Park by winning three PCL titles and two national championships in four years.
The last of those came in 2014. Omaha hasn’t advanced to the postseason since.
But this year’s club has the talent and depth to contend for a fifth division title this decade.
“Going into the start of the season, it looks pretty good,” Omaha manager Brian Poldberg said. “We’ve got some experience in getting (former Detroit outfielder Tyler) Collins. Then with (Frank) Schwindel, (Ryan) O’Hearn and (Hunter) Dozier coming back in the middle of the lineup, we’ve got some power.
“The bullpen looks very strong. And in the rotation, we have three starters from other organizations. All in all, pitching-wise and position-wise, this is one of the stronger teams we’ve broken spring training with.”
The Chasers held their media day Wednesday at Werner Park, where they’ll open their season Thursday against reigning PCL American Northern Division champion Colorado Springs. Originally slated to be a single game, the teams will play a doubleheader with snow forecast for Friday.
Their five-game series will start a summer of celebration for Omaha and a farewell campaign for the Sky Sox. The Colorado Springs franchise is scheduled to relocate to San Antonio before the 2019 season.
The Sky Sox are the Triple-A affiliate for Milwaukee, thought to have one of the top farm systems in baseball. Kansas City, meanwhile, ranks near the bottom. But it has potential big-leaguers in Omaha, though the Royals traded a veteran infielder Wednesday in former Nebraska star Cody Asche.
Asche and Collins both spent time in the majors last season, as did returning Chasers Ramon Torres and Billy Burns. Asche and Collins are also both left-handed hitters whom Poldberg planned to bat on the front and back end of his sluggers in the middle of the order. That changed after the trade.