Mid Year Report (Part Deux)

* * Pitchers * *

STARTERS

If there was any question of who the Ace of the Pitching staff was at the beginning of the season, Zack Greinke has answered that! He should have more wins, but the offense and bullpen have let him down. Zack has given up too many homeruns, but since he’s always around the plate that’s bound to happen. His (nearly) 3/1 K/SO rate and more innings pitched than hits given up are impressive. Another telling stat is the fact that he has only given up one unearned run. To me, that means that he keeps the flow of the game steady so that the defense is always “in the game.” I’d like to see Zack Greinke cut his HRA down and otherwise keep the strong performances coming!
Mid-Term Grade – A-

Gil Meche was the definitive Ace of the Royals pitching staff, last year. He had the goal of throwing more strikes and working longer in games. His control is a little off this year, but seems to make the pitch he needs to in order to get out of jams. Gil is not the force that he was last year, but usually gives the team a chance to win each time he takes the hill. I’d like to see Gil Meche be more pitch-efficient in the second half, and let his “stuff” do the rest.
Mid-Term Grade – B

Brian Bannister started the season on fire and looked like he was going to make the off-season nay Sayers eat their words. Since his hot start, he hasn’t been near the pitcher he was last year. A soft pitching fly ball pitcher needs pinpoint control… that hasn’t been there. As a result, he has given up way too many homeruns. Brian is a student of the game, and needs to be with his less than blow-‘em away fastball. In the second half, I’d like to see Brian Bannister regain comand of his pitches, keep the ball in the park, and re-consider adding a sinker to his arsenal.
Mid-Term Grade – C-

Number one draft-pick, Luke Hochevar, has yet to pitch like one. The Cool Hand shows a cool head when he has runners all around him, but that has been way too often. When Luke throws strikes and keeps his sinker down, he can control the game quite nicely. But too many walks have put a lot of stress on the young right-hander and have kept him from going deep into games. I’d like to see Luke Hochevar keep the ball down in the strike zone and keep the pace of the game crisp so the infielders have a chance to help him get deeper into games.
Mid-Term Grade – C-

Kyle Davies has pitched like the young Major Leaguer that he is. He has looked very good at times, and not so good at other times. Personally (and I have nothing to back this up), I am not REAL impressed with him. But that aside, he has shown the ability to keep the team in most games. I’d like to see Kyle Davies gain better command of the strike zone and develop a reliable “out pitch.”
Mid-Term Grade – C-

Brett Tomko - FAIL- Nuff Said


RELIEVERS

Joakim Soria has been the best Rule 5 acquisition the Royals have ever had. We’ve, seemingly, picked the pockets of several teams in the past only to have that player flame out (best example - Andrew Sisco). This time we found Gold! When Joakim takes the mound, the game is pretty much over. The only question is how many batters are going to end up looking silly. More saves than hits allowed speaks for itself… PLUS… he has a way cool nickname – The Mexicusioner! Best of all, the Royals FINALLY had a TRUE All-Star representing them during the mid-summer classic!! Joakim Soria needs to keep on Mexicusioning!
Mid-Term Grade – A++

The Royals needed veteran presence in the bullpen, and Ron Mahay has been that and more. When the starters go into the sixth inning (or deeper), the bridge guys have done a very good job of handing the lead over to The Mexicusioner. Ron has done an excellent job against both right and left-handers. All I can say to Ron Mahay is, “Keep It Up Old Man!”
Mid-Term Grade - A

Leo Nunez lit up eyes at the beginning of the year, even though he only made the team because he was out of options. Leo went from a thrower to a pitcher… finally. Although he’s young (one of Allard Baird’s “bring ‘em up too soon boys”), it looked like the organization was loosing patience with him. His injury has marred his break-out year, but hopefully he can regain his early season form. When Leo Nunez comes back from the DL, he needs to “fill the strike zone”, and let his “stuff” take over (was that cliché enough for ya?).
Mid-Term Grade – A

The “Ramirez Twins” (especially Ram Ram) have been two other solid pieces to the bridge corps. When Ramon and Horacio command the strike zone, they have been extremely effective. I find it amazing how Dayton Moore has cherry picked pitchers that other teams have been so willing to give up on. I guess that’s a testament to the awesome job he has done to re-define the Royals’ scouting department. Not much to say to Ramon and Horacio Ramirez except, “Keep throwing strikes, dos Rams!”
Mid-Term Grade - A

Robinson Tejeda was bad enough to make the pitching-starved Texas Rangers dump him. Once again, the Royals’ scouting department was smart enough to grab him up. With the Royals, he has found the strike zone. He has been successful so far for KC, but has had very few chances. Robinson Tejeda appears to have a “Grade A” arm and needs to stay in the strike zone.
Mid-Term Grade - Incomplete

Joel Peralta was a very serviceable (and versatile) pitcher for the Royals in the past, and has been lights-out in Omaha this year. He has only had a little (not much) success for the MLB team. Giving up homeruns (and previous pitcher’s runs) has been his down-fall. Joel has an awesome forkball, but needs to get ahead in the count in order to use it. Keeping the ball in the park and inherited runners from scoring should be Joel Peralta’s second half goals (if he’s not bumped by other pitchers coming off pf the DL).
Mid-Term Grade – D-

What happened to the Jimmy Gobble that we saw the past year and a half? This year, he just doesn’t have it. This division has too many awesome left-handed hitters for our lefty specialist to implode. If he has options, I’d like to see Jimmy Gobble go to Omaha and rediscover his sidearm magic.
Mid-Term Grade - F

Hideo Nomo was an interesting experiment that failed.

Yasuhiko Yabuta was a large dollar failure - Nuff said (although I DO hold out hope for Yasuhiko Yabuta to learn where home plate is located on an American ball-field).

John Bale, Neal Musser, Jeff Fulchino, Carlos Rosa, - Incomplete – probably will see more action in the second half.

(opinions may vary, check your local ballpark for further deals)

Mid-Term Report

* * Position Players * *

Jose Guillen was paid big money by the Royals to provide the one thing that was missing from the roster… veteran leadership that included a power bat and production in the middle of the batting order. By veteran leadership, I mean a proven MLB player who had been productive in the past and still had some productive years ahead of him (not the “Milk & Cookie” veteran leadership we’ve had in the past). Although streaky and moody, Jose has been that man. Amazingly, his RBI totals could have been better it seems that he’s had MANY runners LOB. In the second half, I’d like to see a more consistent stroke from Jose Guillen with runners in scoring position, and fewer SO’s in the second half.
Mid-Term Grade – B

Alex Gordon is long on potential and charisma, but short on consistent production. He often looks really silly in the batter’s box, and then he pounds the ball. Many people compare his swing to George Brett’s. Except for the top hand release of his follow-through, I don’t see it. I think that too many people WANT to see the similarities. I see more of a Ken Griffey Jr.’s swing when I see Alex, than George. But, I’ve never heard (or read) anyone else make that comparison, so it’s probably just me (I saw that in Michael Tucker’s swing, too). Alex’s OBP is OK. Although he strikes out a lot, he draws his share off walks. Batting ahead of Guillen, that’s a good thing. Like last year, any trouble in the batter’s box doesn’t carry over to his defensive position. In fact, his glove (and arm) appears to have a golden hue. For the second half, I’d like to see Alex Gordon cut his swing down with two strikes. With Alex Gordon’s size, strength and uppercut awing, he should be hitting more homeruns… but first… he needs to make contact.
Mid-Term Grade – C-

People look at Mark Teahen and hope he can be the player we saw in the second half of the 2006 season. From my point of view, too many people have tried to turn Mark into someone other than who he is. When he was in the Oakland organization, they tried to get him to be a Jason Giambi clone. When he was traded to the Royals, they sent George Brett to Omaha to turn him into a Brett clone. A clone of either player (minus Jason’s juice) would be awesome. He doesn’t have some of the tools that Jason or George have, but he does have some tools that THEY don’t (didn’t). He seems like the kind of guy that should be batting at, or near, the top of the batting order. Mark is more built to be a speedy run scorer rather than someone who drives runs in. If he drives the ball the opposite way, rather than trying to pull the ball, his SO’s should drop to a more acceptable level. A gap-to-gap hitter with speed is very valuable in spacious Kaufman Stadium. Like Alex Gordon, I’d like to see Mark Teahen make more contact with the ball.
Mid-Term Grade – C-

David DeJesus is not a real toolsy player. With average center field speed and below average throwing arm, he is not the prototypical center fielder and leadoff hitter. But what he doesn’t have in raw talent, he makes up with heart and a ton of energy. This is shaping up as his “career year”. He has bounced around the outfield and has performed very well in just about any role asked of him. Leading the MLB in batting average with runner in scoring position makes moving him down in the lineup very tempting. The way the two players are playing right now, flip-flopping him with Mark Teahen might make sense. I’d like to see David DeJesus continue to be the REAL team leader!
Mid-Term Grade – A-

When healthy, Mark Grudzielanek has been the veteran leader that management expects him to be. With his age (38) and a nagging back, he seems to need more days off than he did last year when he had two knee surgeries. But when he DOES take a few days off, he comes back hitting the ball all over the park. Grud doesn’t strikeout excessively, but he doesn’t take a lot of walks, also. Although he obviously doesn’t have the range he did in his first year with the Royals, he makes just about every play within reach. I’d like to see Mark Grudzielanek be more willing to take days off so he can keep his body fresh throughout the dog days of summer.
Mid-Term Grade – B

Joey Gathright can be a real-highlight-reel with his play in center field. This year, he has used his speed as a useful tool both offensively and defensively. But when there has been miscommunication in the outfield, Joey has been in the middle of it. Kaufman Stadium has a huge outfield and needs speedy men patrolling the large open spaces. Although Joey has improved his bunting skills (he needs way more work), his overall batting skills seem to have taken a step backwards from last year. Joey Gathright needs to learn to drive the ball to leftfield and up the middle in order to become a useful player for this (or any MLB) team.
Mid-Term Grade – D

Ross Gload hasn’t had the first-half season that he had last year. But, he’s been fairly good now that he’s had steady work. He doesn’t have the power that is needed for a starting first-basemen. Although his great defensive play and blue-collar work ethic wins favor from Trey Hillman (and Buddy Bell before him), he seems more useful as a bench player. Ross Gload needs to continue to take advantage of the opportunities offered to him.
Mid-Term Grade – C

Billy Butler appears to be an All-Star of the future, the future’s not here, yet. Apparently, Trey Hillman isn’t serious about allowing him to become a first-baseman. So Billy needs to be the pure hitter that he seems destined to be. To put things into perspective, with roughly the same number of at-bats as Ross Gload and Joey Gathright, Billy’s HR & RBI totals and AVG are similar. That was the reason he was sent down to Omaha, earlier this season. He has been hitting the ball harder lately, but pulling the ball more than he did last year. Billy Butler needs to begin driving the ball up the middle and into the power-alleys in the second half.
Mid-Term Grade – D+

John Buck has handled the starting pitching very well. That is his focus, and what we can always expect from him. He WAS groomed behind Brad Ausmus with the Astros. I am OK with Buck’s batting average, though I’d like to see him cut his strikeouts down and continue to hit the ball all over the park. John has the power to hit homeruns to any part of the park. With the pitchers’ help, I’d like to see John Buck improve his caught stealing rate and continue his solid handling of the pitchers through the rest of the season.
Mid-Term Grade – C

Miguel Olivo was signed as a backup catcher (although he claims he didn’t know that). I have no problem with that. Miggi may throw out base runners at a higher rate that John Buck, but pitchers have a higher ERA with him behind the plate. Olivo has a little better power numbers than Buck, but he is WAY hard to walk. When Miguel Olivo gets his chances in the second half, he needs to be better at using the whole field and drive the ball to the power-alleys, rather than being pull happy.
Mid-Term Grade – C

Tony Pena, Jr. is one of the slickest fielding shortstops I seen. Even more than Alex Gordon, his glove (and arm) appears golden. The problem is that his bat appears invisible. Is this a “sophomore jinx”? Or is he really that pathetic? He would be Trey Hillman’s starting shortstop if he would bat anywhere like he did last year. TJ’s defense is pure joy to watch! For the second half of the season, I’d like to see Tony Pena, Jr. bunt effectively and adopt a Rey Sanchez swing.
Mid-Term Grade – C-

Mike Aviles hit the MLB scene with a splash! His breakout series in his hometown New York didn’t hurt his stock. With a little back step at the plate after his hot start, he has shown the ability to deal with adversity. The biggest flaw that I’ve noticed in Mike’s game are his fielding mental errors (that don’t always show in the stats). Experience and a move to second base many help. In the second half, I’d like to see Mike Aviles continue his solid approach at the plate and hard work on his defense.
Mid-Term Grade – B+

Esteban German is having his roughest year with the Royals. A lot of this stems from the fact that Kansas City has too many middle infielders on their roster, and Esty isn’t getting consistent playing time. This is often the plight of a bench player. I see his worth being more on a National League team, where his versatility in the field can be exploited (and bat used more often). I like the energy that he brings to the team. In the second half Esteban German needs to try to make it hard for Trey Hillman to take him out of the lineup.
Mid-Term Grade – C-

Alberto Callaspo, in his limited exposure, has been all that was advertised. His bat looked pretty useful, before his personal issues imploded his career. I’m holding out hope that he can get his life worked out and that the organization supports him in that process. Ultimately, though, Alberto Callaspo controls his own destiny.
Mid-Term Grade – Incomplete

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

I really love this song, especially all the different versions thereof. Trevor Hurst (no relation) does a real bluesy version that you should be listening to right mow. The history of the song is pretty interesting. Here’s some text from Baseball Almanac:

In 1858, the first known baseball song was written, "The Base Ball Polka!" It was not quite as famous as Jack Norworth's 1908 classic, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game", which was written on some scrap paper on a train ride to Manhattan, New York. Norworth then provided those paper scrap lyrics to Albert Von Tilzer who composed the music which in turn was published by the York Music Company and before the year was over, a hit song was born.


Jack Norworth was a very successful vaudeville entertainer / songwriter and spent fifteen minutes writing this classic which is sung during the seventh inning stretch at nearly every ball park in the country. In 1927, he changed some lyrics and a second version appeared. Baseball Almanac is proud to present both versions and an actual print of the original sheet music cover.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

1908 Version
Author: Jack NorworthComposer: Albert Von TilzerPublished on: 1908, 1927Published by: York Music Company

Katie Casey was baseball mad.

Had the fever and had it bad;

Just to root for the hometown crew,

Ev'ry sou Katie blew.

On a Saturday, he young beau

Called to see if she'd like to go,

To see a show but Miss Kate said,

"No, I'll tell you what you can do."

"Take me out to the ball game,

Take me out with the crowd.

Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack,

I don't care if I never get back,

Let me root, root, root for the home team,

If they don't win it's a shame.

For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,

At the old ball game."

Katie Casey saw all the games,

Knew the players by their first names;

Told the umpire he was wrong,

All along good and strong.

When the score was just two to two,

Katie Casey knew what to do,

Just to cheer up the boys she knew,

She made the gang sing this song:

"Take me out to the ball game,

Take me out with the crowd.

Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack,

I don't care if I never get back,

Let me root, root, root for the home team,

If they don't win it's a shame.

For it's one, two, three strikes, your out,

At the old ball game."

Take Me Out to the Ball Game
1927 Version
Author: Jack Norworth ©Composer: Albert Von TilzerPublished on: 1908, 1927Published by: York Music Company

Nelly Kelly love baseball games,

Knew the players, knew all their names,

You could see her there ev'ry day,

Shout "Hurray," when they'd play.

Her boy friend by the name of Joe

Said, "To Coney Isle, dear, let's go,

"Then Nelly started to fret and pout,

And to him I heard her shout.

"Take me out to the ball game,

Take me out with the crowd.

Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack,

I don't care if I never get back,

Let me root, root, root for the home team,

If they don't win it's a shame.

For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,

At the old ball game."

Nelly Kelly was sure some fan,

She would root just like any man,

Told the umpire he was wrong,

All along, good and strong.

When the score was just two to two,

Nelly Kelly knew what to do,

Just to cheer up the boys she knew,

She made the gang sing this song.

"Take me out to the ball game,

Take me out with the crowd.

Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack,

I don't care if I never get back,

Let me root, root, root for the home team,

If they don't win it's a shame.

For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,

At the old ball game."

So there you go. The song we all sing during the seventh inning stretch is just the chorus of a two verse song.

Here are some versions you might like to listen to:
Organ Version - instrumental
Traditional Version - instrumental
Goo Goo Dolls – Not my fav.

Abe Knuckleball Schwartz - Fun Version

Andrew Sisters 1940's
– Kind of Hawaii 50 meets the Beach Boys:

Polo del Mar
And here’s a couple for the kids:
The Countdown Kids

Raffi