Weekend Rumblings - News for August 31, 2024
What do the Royals do next?
Anne Rogers writes about next steps after the Vinnie Pasquantino injury.
Other options include versatile players Adam Frazier, Nick Loftin and Garrett Hampson. Loftin was recalled from Triple-A Omaha as Pasquantino went on the 10-day injured list.
“It’s tough to see friends and teammates go down,” Loftin said. “Vinnie has been a great teammate of mine for a long time since I’ve started in this organization. He’s been a vital key to this team. I’m just going to go out there and compete to the best of my abilities and help this team win.”
Jaylon Thompson writes the Royals could look outside the organization since they want Salvy to continue catching.
“Salvy is a big part of what we do behind the plate,” Quatraro said. “Game calling, leadership. You guys have seen him catch here for over a decade. We’re not just going to all of a sudden run and say he has to play first base every day. I don’t think that’s fair to Freddy either. We have a good versatile group of guys who can play different positions, and we’ll match up the best we can every night.”
He also adds reliever Lucas Erceg is day-to-day.
Craig Brown reacts to the Pasquantino injury.
Clearly, this single play can be a season-defining moment. In the worst way. The Royals have been fortunate this year to have mostly avoided any kind of injuries to key players. Michael Massey has struggled with back issues and been on the IL twice this year. Hunter Renfroe is on the IL for the second time this year, after missing the minimum of games in his previous stint. MJ Melendez was sidelined around the All-Star Break with an ankle sprain. And Alec Marsh was injured early in the season on a comebacker that hit his elbow. Now the Baseball Gods are seemingly looking to balance the injury account in one fell swoop. No thanks, Baseball Gods.
Robert Orr at Baseball Prospectus writes that Bobby Witt Jr. can hit just about anything.
This newfound ability to hit both four-seamers and sinkers—AKA cover the top and bottom of the strike zone—is a rare one among hitters; most excel in just one or the other, and that’s where hitters earn the label of a “high ball” or “low ball” hitter. Witt appears to have developed into a chameleon that can hit both, with a wOBA of .478 against sinkers and .406 against four-seamers this season that puts him in rarefied air among hitters. There’s only six regulars (400+ plate appearances) with a .400+ wOBA against both types of fastballs.
Kevin O’Brien at Farm to Fountains looks at who might join the Royals when rosters expand.
Mike Axisa at CBS Sports reviews how teams did at the trade deadline and concludes the Royals “nailed it.”
The Angels designate pitcher Johnny Cueto for assignment.
The Cubs claimed reliever Shawn Armstrong off waivers from the Cardinals.
Angels pitcher Samuel Aldegheri becomes the first pitcher born and raised in Italy to start in MLB.
Emmanuel Clase becomes the all-time saves leader in Cleveland.
MLB Trade Rumors ranks the impending free agents.
Padres broadcasters are stunned by sparse crowds in St. Louis.
Nick Castellanos thinks tanking owners should face consequences.
The amount of the Qualifying Offer is projected to be $21.2 million.
Surviving members of the 1962 Mets have sympathy for this year’s White Sox.
NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother are tragically killed by drunk driver.
Caitlin Clark scores a season-high 31 points against Chicago.
When turning a TV show into a movie is doomed to fail.
The misunderstood legacy of Britpop.
Your song of the day is The Statler Brothers with Flowers on the Wall.