Royals Rumblings - News for February 6, 2025

It would be cool if our image database had images of minor league players.

Keith Law has his top 20 Royals prospects, with Steven Zobac the highest outside the overall top 100 ($):

Zobac was the Royals’ fourth-round pick in 2022 out of Cal, pitching well in Low A the next year as a 22-year-old but getting hit around in High A. He was still fairly new to pitching, converting full-time as a college junior from the outfield, so the Royals played it slow with him, and it looks like it’s paying off, as he was better in High A and then lights-out in Double A in his second full season. His fastball backed up just slightly to 92-94, still touching 97, while his slider is still a 55 and his changeup improved significantly, giving him the three pitches he’ll need to be a starter. It’s a smooth, athletic delivery, with easy velocity, and he has thrown strikes at every stop, with a 5.6 percent walk rate across both levels last year. The lack of a plus pitch limits his ceiling, so it’s more fourth starter upside than what the stat line might imply. If the velocity comes back up, which may happen since he had so little pitching experience coming into the minors, he could surprise and end up a mid-rotation guy.

The Yankees claimed Braden Shewmake off waivers. The infielder was DFA’d by Kansas City last week.

FanGraphs dropped their first run of 2025 postseason odds yesterday, with the Royals given a 42.7% chance of playing in October.

The story of Rap Dixon, an overlooked legend of the Negro Leagues.

One can put together a veritable all-star team of guys returning from injury in 2025.

The Los Angeles Angels are extending their lease at Angel Stadium through 2032.

Somebody at The Athletic decided to write a puff piece about the guy that assaulted Mookie Betts during the World Series in New York. ($) It’s beyond ironic that a guy is saying “I just want to be forgotten about” in his exclusive interview with a national publication. Anyway I’m only linking to this because, in divisive times like these, it’s nice that we still have opportunities like this to all come together and dunk on somebody (this article has 949 comments at the time I’m typing this).

The Cubs are acquiring right-handed pitcher Ryan Brasier from the Dodgers.

Minnesota is signing outfielder Harrison Bader to a one-year deal.

Houston is signing outfielder Ben Gamel to a one-year deal.

UMES baseball is looking to turn things around this spring after going 0-48 last season.

Disgruntled Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler is headed to the Golden State Warriors.

Do the Chiefs really get all the calls?

The NFL is exploring adding men’s and women’s flag football leagues to their portfolio.

After evacuating from the Altadena fire, a California man returned home to find a 525 lb bear occupying his house.

Back to the Future co-creator Bob Gale is sick of being asked about a fourth movie.

Your song of the day is Johnny B. Goode by Chuck Berry.