With the start of Spring Training just around the corner here at heycameraman.net we plan to bring you all the Royals information and analysis up to and throughout the season. Breaking down games, assessing performances, prospect information and anything else Kansas City Royals related. This first column is just going to help you get to know your 2007 Kansas City Royals.
“ To be optimistic in the spring is every fan’s right.”
-Craig Brown, Royals Authority, MVN
As many of you know or don’t know, at least I do…Spring Training is upon us. It’s that magical time of year when every team has a winning record and the future is as bright as can be. Like the above quote says, optimism is my right as a fan. Optimism for those of us that are Royals fans has been all that keeps us listening and watching games well into September, looking for a bright spot in the darkness, but this year is different.
There isn’t that feeling that no matter what happens the Royals will be pitiful. There really is something there, something to look forward too. We have a completely new starting pitching staff…The best all-around prospect in all of baseball…A gold glove winner at second…. I’m not saying the Royals will be great or even good, but decent is a great step forward.
This is the first year since about `99 or 2000 that I’ve really felt like the Royals can and will be competitive. Don’t get me wrong they aren’t going to be a division winner just yet or even a wild card, but we won’t just be pushovers or automatic wins for other teams. Granted we may be in the toughest division in all of baseball, but I think we will end up with a record of 70-ish wins (the AL Central has produced the last 2 AL Champions.)
If you haven’t followed the Royals through last year or this off-season, most of this team will be foreign to you, because the turnover has been very high since the hiring of new General Manager Dayton Moore. Give or take this should be the opening day roster.
Starting Pitching
Gil Meche- signed in the off-season as a free agent. Potential #1 starter
Odalis Perez- acquired from the Dodgers mid-season `06
Luke Hudson- signed last year as free agent, decent starter last year
*now here’s where it gets sticky…2 starting spots remain, 3 pitchers to fill it with
Zach Grienke- the wunderkid, had psych issues last year and pitched in AA
Brain Bannister- acquired in a trade with Mets this offseason
Jorge De La Rosa- acquired from Brewers mid-season `06, started last year
Relievers
John Bale- signed this off-season from
Ryan Braun- ascended through the minors with the royals, last year 1st season
Octavio Dotel- signed as free agent this off-season to be the closer
Jimmy Gobble- only in his second year in relief, always been a Royal
Joe Nelson- signed as a freeagent last year, closer 2nd half of last season
Joel Peralta- signed as free-agent last year, former Anaheim Angel
Ken Ray- released from
David Riske- signed in off-season as free agent, played with White Sox last year
Joakim Soria- acquired in Rule V draft, pitched perfect game in winter ball
Todd Wellemeyer- released by Cubs last year, signed with Royals
Catchers
John Buck- aquired in Beltran trade `04, starting catcher last year
Jason LaRue- free agent this off-season, expected to compete for starting job
First Base
Ryan Shealy- acquired from
Ross Gload- acquired in trade with White Sox this off-season, also plays OF
Mike Sweeny- just a title, will never play the field only DH, final year of contract
Second Base
Mark Grudzielanek- signed as free agent last year, also won gold glove in `06
Esteban German- acquired from Rangers last year, also plays 3rd and OF
Shortstop
Angel Berroa- 2003 rookie of the year, most infuriating player on team
Andres Blanco- made MLB debut last year with Royals
Third Base
Mark Teahen- acquired in Beltran trade ’04, Royal Player of the Year `06
Alex Gordon- considered best prospect in all baseball, might go to AAA
*if Gordon makes the team out of Spring Training, Teahen will move to Right Field
Outfielders
Emil Brown- led Royals in RBIs and Doubles last year
Shane Costa- considered the 4th outfielder, may shuffle between AAA
David DeJesus- homegrown talent, will be a starter and leadoff hitter
Joey Gathright- acquired in trade with Devil Rays last year, extremely fast
Reggie Sanders- signed as free agent last year, injured most of last year
There will obviously be some changes to this roster list, but this is who you should keep your eyes on during Spring Training. Our next column will break down the starting pitching.
Royals Fact: Two Royals players have won the Cy Young Award. Bret Saberhagen did it twice, 1985 and 1989. David Cone won the Cy Young once in 1994.
-b
“Royals Baseball is On the Air.”
1 Comment:
Does the rise in suicide rates in KC coincide with that period between the Chiefs losing in the playoffs (if they get there at all) and the time the Royals are mathmatically eliminated (usually Mid-May)? Yes, spring training is the source for all optimism with baseball fans around the country, and that should be especially true with us Royals fans. Living here in Atlanta under the shadow of success with the Braves (Scherholz??? anyone???) it is harder to be a true blue Royals diehard. When people ask why I root for the perinnial "loser" I remind them that being a KC native it's more about civic pride and connecting with the city of Kansas City than wanting a winning team. I also can say with pride that the Royals have won a World Series in my lifetime (and at an age that I truely can appreciate that accomplishment) and back when I was an impressionable young lad, they fielded some of the best teams in baseball. Do I want the Royals to regain some of their glory from the late 70's and early eighties? I've been waiting patiently for 20 years, and I'll wait for 20 more if I have to. The Royals can load up with as many talented players as they need, but until Glass is overthrown as "the decider", we will continue to languish in the cellar as a farm team for the other 29 teams in MLB.
Such is life, but I will continue to have hope for this year, as I do every year. Maybe they can delay breaking my heart until the All-Star break. (now that's optimism)
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