Kennedy Finds Changeup in Strong Spring Start
Daily Clips
March 4, 2018
LOCAL
Kennedy finds changeup in strong spring start
Wind causes fielding problems in Surprise; Starling enjoys effective day at plate
March 3, 2018By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Royals to evaluate talent as new era begins
March 3, 2018By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Yost embraces Royals' youth movement
Veteran manager not worried about contract, which ends after 2018 season
March 3, 2018By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Bo knows: Jackson to visit Royals spring camp
Former two-sport star will serve as guest instructor
March 3, 2018By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
White Sox 9, Royals 5: Wind-induced gaffes doom KC
March 3, 2018By Maria Torres/KC Star
The poignant way Alex Gordon remembers his late father
March 3, 2018By Vage Gregorian/KC Star
'Best offseason ever.' Mike Moustakas shows off photos of new baby son
March 3, 2018By Pete Grathoff/KC Star
Friday’s Royals-Padres game: Duffy goes right at Hosmer
March 3, 2018By Lee Judge/KC Star
NATIONAL
Source: Moose, CarGo on White Sox radar
March 3, 2018By JP Morosi/MLB.com
MLB TRANSACTIONS
March 4, 2018 •.CBSSports.com
LOCAL
Kennedy finds changeup in strong spring start
Wind causes fielding problems in Surprise; Starling enjoys effective day at plate
March 3, 2018By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
This early in camp, starting pitchers aren't supposed to have great command.
But on Saturday, Royals right-hander Ian Kennedy was in midseason form, at least early on, throwing 10 out of 13 pitches in the first inning for strikes as he fanned the side. He tired a bit in the second inning and gave up two runs on three hits, one of which was a wind-aided triple.
Kennedy threw 42 total pitches, 26 strikes, and struck out five, as the Royals lost to the White Sox, 9-5.
"I was happy with that," Kennedy said. "Every spring, first couple of innings I just try to work on keeping the ball down. I was pumping a lot of strikes."
Kennedy only threw four or five breaking balls, two of those changeups, a key pitch for him. And the changeup was the pitch he lost last season after a right hamstring injury sidelined him in May.
"Everything feels good," Kennedy said. "I could tell in my live [batting practice sessions] earlier this spring that my changeup was there. Last year, for 12 outings, it wasn't there. Today it felt good and it has felt good.
"Last year, having just fastball-curveball, you feel like you're pitching naked a little bit."
Tough conditions
Saturday was a brutal day for catching anything in the air because of the high sky and the windy conditions. The White Sox lost a fly ball by Ryan Goins that turned into a triple, as well as a popup behind the pitcher's mound by Alcides Escobar that turned into a double.
Royals center fielder Bubba Starling couldn't corral a fly ball to left-center field that turned into a triple, and right fielder Hunter Dozier lost a ball in the sun that turned into a triple.
Camp battles
• Starling had a nice day at the plate. He came back in the count to draw a walk against Michael Kopech in his first at-bat and singled in the fourth inning. Starling likely is headed for Triple-A Omaha, but he will likely see time in the big leagues this season.
• Left-hander Brian Flynn, who is out of Minor League options and trying to grab a spot in the bullpen, gave up six runs in one inning, but all the runs were unearned thanks to a throwing error from third baseman Jack Lopez. Dozier also lost a ball in the sun in right field during the inning.
• Left fielder Terrance Gore, with an outside shot to make the 25-man roster, threw out a runner trying to stretch a single into a double.
Up next
Right-hander Jason Hammel will make his first start of the spring as the Royals travel to Goodyear to face the Reds in a 2:05 p.m. CT start. Right-handers Wily Peralta, Seth Maness and Blaine Boyer also are expected to pitch. The game can be heard live on Gameday Audio.
Royals to evaluate talent as new era begins
March 3, 2018By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
After making the World Series in 2014 and winning a championship in '15, a new era of Royals baseball is unfolding.
General manager Dayton Moore kept the 2015 team largely intact the past two seasons, but neither unit finished above .500.
Now, Moore and his staff are moving on and embracing a rebuild. Gone are such stars from the World Series years, such as Eric Hosmer, Wade Davis, Mike Moustakas, Lorenzo Cain and Greg Holland.
It's time for the next wave of young talent to emerge.
What's the goal?
Moore went into this offseason hoping to accomplish two goals: shave payroll and start restocking the farm system. Moore has pared the payroll from $154 million down to about $110 million. He did so by unloading the contracts of Brandon Moss and Joakim Soria, as well as by not re-signing free agents like Mike Minor, Jason Vargas, Hosmer, Moustakas and Cain.
Though the Royals made an offer to Hosmer (five years, $100 million), it was trumped by the Padres.
"Economics are a very real part of our situation," Moore said. "We have to be aware of it."
The Royals also acquired prospects like infielder Erick Mejia and pitchers Trevor Oaks and Heath Fillmyer. As a result of the free agents leaving, the Royals added compensatory picks -- which could give them at least four picks in the Top 39 of the Draft. Moore is building for the future.
What's the plan?
Develop, develop, develop. While many of the next wave of prospects (first baseman Nick Pratto, outfielder Khalil Lee, catcher MJ Melendez) are still in the lower Minors, the Royals are ready to see players such as Cheslor Cuthbert, Jorge Bonifacio and Jorge Soler get 500-600 at-bats.
"We have to see what we have with those guys," manager Ned Yost said.
And right behind that trio are Hunter Dozier (outfielder, corner infielder), infielder Adalberto Mondesi and center fielder Bubba Starling. The focus will not be on wins and losses, or contending -- it will be on discovering what assets are in the club's inventory.
What could go wrong?
Soler, Bonifacio and Cuthbert may not pan out as legitimate starters. The Royals need those three to be proven and productive veterans by the time they add Pratto, Melendez and Lee to the lineup two or three years down the line. They are also counting on Starling, Mondesi and Dozier to emerge within a year -- and that's no given.
The Royals' once dominant bullpen is a shell of itself, and they are hoping young pitchers such as Richard Lovelady, Tim Hill, Eric Stout and Josh Staumont become productive big leaguers in a year or two -- again, no given. The other big question mark is whether the Royals' fan base, which added many new followers after the back-to-back World Series appearances, will be patient with the rebuild. As a small-market team, the Royals can't afford a major drop in attendance.
Who might surprise?
Hill could bring a unique look to the bullpen with his almost-submarine-style delivery from the left side. The Royals are giving him a good, long look early in camp. Mondesi seems ticketed for Triple-A Omaha because shortstop Alcides Escobar was re-signed. But like he did last spring, Mondesi is wowing the coaching staff again with his skill set. Dozier, especially after the signing of first baseman Lucas Duda, and Starling also seem headed for Triple-A, though both could change minds with big springs.
Yost embraces Royals' youth movement
Veteran manager not worried about contract, which ends after 2018 season
March 3, 2018By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Royals manager Ned Yost had every reason to pack it in over the offseason. Even though his contract runs through the end of this season, he easily could have decided to ride off into the sunset.
After all, the core group from the Royals' World Series teams of 2014-15 was leaving through free agency, and the front office was looking at taking a different approach toward the club's on-field future. And, of course, Yost also was recovering from his gruesome, near-fatal fall from a tree stand last November.
But Yost is back on his feet this spring and fully embracing the Royals' youth movement. He doesn't like to discuss anything beyond this season.
"I don't want to talk about coming back or retiring," Yost said. "I'll be here today and I'll be here tomorrow."
For now, Yost admits he is enjoying the beginnings of a new era in Royals baseball. He watches a camp full of eager prospects vying to show off their skill sets, and he smiles.
"It is fun for me," Yost said. "I don't know if it's more fun, but it's fun. Well, maybe a little more fun."
In recent years, Spring Training for the Royals was about getting his established players ready for Opening Day. Camp battles were virtually non-existent.
"We had maybe one spot in the bullpen open," Yost said. "Maybe a utility guy. That's it."
Now, there are numerous camp battles. And there are numerous potential lineups to ponder.
"There's a lot more competition," Yost said. "And it's evident in how they're playing. These guys are working their butts off."
In some ways, it reminds Yost of his early days managing the Royals in 2011-12, before the World Series years.
"Just for a second," he said. "But I know we're better off than we were then."
The Royals have younger players like Cheslor Cuthbert, Jorge Bonifacio and Jorge Soler, who have had success at the big league level, ready to take on full-time roles.
"And the group of pitchers we have can throw strikes," Yost said. "Back then I don't know of a whole lot of strikes that were being thrown."
The talent level of this new group of Royals seems to have Yost energized. But again, he's not thinking beyond this season.
"I don't think I'll do this another 10 years," Yost said. "But I love it and I love the people I work with."
Bo knows: Jackson to visit Royals spring camp
Former two-sport star will serve as guest instructor
March 3, 2018By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Bo Jackson, one of the most popular players to ever don a Royals uniform, will be in camp as a guest instructor beginning Sunday, the club announced.
Jackson is expected to remain in camp through March 11.
The former two-sport athlete played eight seasons in the Major Leagues from 1986-91 and '93-94, including five seasons in Kansas City from '86-90.
Jackson was an American League All-Star in 1989 and is famously remembered for his leadoff home run off Rick Reuschel. Jackson hit 32 home runs that season, a career high, along with 105 RBIs.
White Sox 9, Royals 5: Wind-induced gaffes doom KC
March 3, 2018By Maria Torres/KC Star
The Royals spoiled a lead and lost to the Chicago White Sox, 9-5, on Saturday at Surprise Stadium.
The game
With little going on with the offensive side and wind wreaking havoc throughout the stadium, there wasn’t much for manager Ned Yost to comment on.
But he was encouraged by the performance of relievers Kelvin Herrera and Brandon Maurer. Herrera worked around a one-out single, touched 98 mph easily on the radar gun and struck out a batter.
The Royals spoiled a lead and lost to the Chicago White Sox, 9-5, on Saturday at Surprise Stadium.
The game
With little going on with the offensive side and wind wreaking havoc throughout the stadium, there wasn’t much for manager Ned Yost to comment on.
But he was encouraged by the performance of relievers Kelvin Herrera and Brandon Maurer. Herrera worked around a one-out single, touched 98 mph easily on the radar gun and struck out a batter.
For the first time in a long time, starter Ian Kennedy feels secure throwing a change-up. Over two innings and 42 pitches, he mixed a few into his fastball-heavy Cactus League debut and didn’t experience hamstring discomfort.
“Last year, having just fastball, curveball a lot of the times, and sometimes that wasn’t even there, you feel like, for me, it’s like pitching naked a little bit,” said Kennedy, who missed a few starts early last season with a hamstring strain.
Kennedy struck out four straight batters to start his two-inning outing. He needed just 13 pitches to get through the first inning.
But he began to tire by the next frame. The White Sox’s Casey Gillaspie hit a line drive to left-center field for a ground-rule double. Kennedy also allowed an RBI triple and RBI single.
Kennedy tempered further damage by striking out a fifth batter and inducing a pop-up to shortstop Alcides Escobar. Kennedy threw 42 pitches.
Myriad mistakes
The sun and wind weren’t kind to either team on Saturday.
In fact, the Royals scored all five of their runs because of gaffes by the White Sox.
Chicago starter Michael Kopech was waved off by second baseman Jose Rondon in the third inning when Escobar lofted a fly ball over the mound. The ball dropped into the grass. Escobar reached second and eventually scored on a Tyler Collins single. Designated hitter Salvador Perez smacked his second double of the spring for an RBI, but he reached third base when White Sox right fielder Daniel Palka couldn’t cleanly field the fly ball.
With runners on first and second in the Royals' fifth inning, catcher Drew Butera skied a sacrifice fly, but he wound up on third base on an error by the White Sox center fielder.
The sloppiness infected the Royals, too, who in the sixth inning lost a 5-2 lead. Six unearned runs scored with Brian Flynn on the mound. Flynn gave up six hits in two innings.
“He didn’t really help himself out either, a couple of soft-hit balls,” Yost said. “He had a chance to get out of the inning with two outs, and it kind of just compounded on him.”
The Royals' Hunter Dozier, playing in the outfield for the first time this spring, couldn’t locate a fly ball in right field. It dropped for a triple that scored two runs.
A trio of gems
The Royals' Terrence Gore made up for some of the botched plays in the seventh inning. As his hat tumbled off his head and onto the grass in left field, Gore recovered from a single that took a weird hop and rocketed a throw to the infield. The throw nailed the runner trying to stretch the hit into a double.
Escobar showed off his signature flair two innings earlier, crossing behind second base toward the grass and flipping a throw behind his back to second baseman Ryan Goins to start a double play.
Frank Schwindel, who started at first base for the Royals, also showed some hops as he snared a ground ball chopped in his direction and took it to the bag to strand a White Sox runner.
Up next
The Royals (5-2-1) travel to Goodyear, Ariz., for a Sunday game against the Cincinnati Reds at 2 p.m.
The poignant way Alex Gordon remembers his late father
March 3, 2018By Vage Gregorian/KC Star
Between his father’s death on Feb. 14 and the funeral, Royals outfielder Alex Gordon and his brothers reflected on what made Mike Gordon the understated, special man he was and all the ways he helped make them who they are.
They mourned and they laughed.
And they clutched certain memories with new preciousness.
“I have this picture,” Gordon started saying the other day.
Between his father’s death on Feb. 14 and the funeral, Royals outfielder Alex Gordon and his brothers reflected on what made Mike Gordon the understated, special man he was and all the ways he helped make them who they are.
They mourned and they laughed.
And they clutched certain memories with new preciousness.
“I have this picture,” Gordon started saying the other day.
“It was such a great hug and a great picture.”
That was a marquee part of the montage coursing through Gordon this spring, but the moment’s meaning was not in the arrival but what it said about the journey there.
“I wouldn’t be here without him,” said Gordon, adding that he’ll have a heavier heart every game in the wake of his father’s death.
He also wouldn’t be here without his mother, Leslie, Gordon is quick to say, and her past as a night-shift nurse and antique-store owner and cancer survivor set a tone of its own.
But it’s easy to trace a direct and tangible line to his dad’s influence on Gordon’s love of the game and legendary work ethic that made him a Kansas City favorite and leaves you hoping that at 34 he can rebound from the last two wobbly seasons at the plate.