Royals 2003 preview (if anyone cares)

[Stewy]

Noone cares about the Royals but if you don't follow them you can't possibly have much of an idea about this years team.


Projected Staring lineup

Desi Relaford : Shortstop, The Royals have no one esle to fit into the leadoff spot. Angel Berroa isn't ready for the big leagues, it would be naive to think Relaford won't be starting at SS and hitting leadoff.

Raul Ibanez : Left field, His steady production was one of the few bright spots on the club last season.

Carlos Beltran : Center field, a five tool player who remains on the cusp of stardom

Mike Sweeney : First Base, The teams heartbeat who is seeking his fourth straight all star selection

Ken Harvey : Designated Hitter, This 24 year old 240 pounder put up eye popping numbers in the Arizona Fall League. He hit .479 and won the leagues MVP award. He draws comparisons to Kevin Mitchell. The DH spot is his to lose at this point in time.

Joe Randa : Third Base, Trade talks and looming Free agency will hopefully spur the Joker into a big bounce back season.

Mark Quinn : Right Field, We have seen the glimpses of his potential may times in the past few years, could be a promising player if he could just stay healthy.

Brent Mayne : Catcher , Solid veteran catcher who can contribute a timely hit now and then.

Carlos Febles : 2nd base, Once a highly touted prospect, now at the end of his rope and will get a final oppurtunity to show he is a legitimate 2nd baseman.


Projected Starting Rotation

Runelvys Hernandez : Showed alot of maturity as a 23 year old rookie last season. He will enter the spring as the top candidate for the opening day starter.

Jeremy Affeldt : This 23 year old Lefty showed some great things last season. IF not for blister problems on his pitching hand he would have a great rookie season. Has 3 great pitches, mid nineties fastball, great overhand curve, great changeup with a sink too it. He has a nice fluid release and great command of his pitches. He should be a great pitcher if he stays healthy.

Miguel Ascensio : This 22 year old righthander has great natural movement on his pitches. Control was a big problem for him last season.

Chris George : Was touted as the biggest pitching prospect in the organization. Not anymore after a dreadful 2002 campaign. The 23 year old Lefty pitched great in Puerto Rico this winter and his hoping to carry that over this summer.

Albie Lopez : Veteran pitcher who was told he would have a chance to compete for a starting spot in the rotation. Hard to think he wouldn't be able to beat someone out with so much youth in the rotation.

Bullpen :

Sean Lowe : Once a first round pick in 1992, has not met expectatoins. His veteran experience should make it easy for him to make this bullpen.

Darryl May : He is projected as a starting pitcher on this team, but the lefty's here left much to be desired. He is probably a better fit in the pen as a situational lefty pitcher.

James Baldwin : This Veteran must have a good spring, if he does he has a shot at winning a spot in long releif.

Jason Grimsley : Will be a set up man/ closer. The only reliable veteran in the pen at this point in time.

Mike Mc Dougal : long viewed of having the best stuff in the organization, now seems on the verge of putting everything together. The closer job is his to lose.

Note : this is just a projection which is pretty tough to predict on a team like the Royals. As you can see there should be some good young talent on the horizon but this is just another losing season for the royals.

 

[HeavyHitter]

in terms of a fantasy perspective...who's worth a shot besides beltran and sweeney?

is ibanez ready to produce in 2003?

can r hernandez breakout this year?

i thought some young kid was their closer of the future, i can't remember his name, but i thought it was hispanic...

any comments would be appreciated...thanks, heavy hitter

 

[SmashMouth]

I care!!

 

[fletcher]

randa is one of my boys signed him and shawn hegan jim's son out of wisc back in 88-89 at broward community college in fl then i went to ucf he went to indian river then to tenn ,he has been solid in the majors not special but plays well every year. he has done better then i thought he could always hit but glove was so-so he could drill some gap shots good extra base hitter also was a base stealer when i had him he was called smiley then now joker cause of that damn smile he has. very fine young man. I still enjoy catching some of his games went to pittsburgh a few years to watch him and watched him in aaa for royles and when he first started with kc his first team i saw him play a few games in appleton.

He has been a solid player most every year he has played nothing special but solid.

thanks for posting that.

Eric

 

[Stewy]

Heavy Hitter, I think the two best sleepers on the team would be Ken Harvey ( I would watch him closely in Spring Training) and Jeremy Affeldt.

I absolutely love Affeldt, he may not get run support and I am sure the pen will blow alot of wins but this kid has physical and mental makeup to be a dominant pitcher. The Kid has good size and height. He has a really smooth delivery to home plate, and he has the exact same release point and arm speed on all three of his pitches. His overhand curve is absolutely nasty and his changeup is somewhat like a split finger pitch. the only problem I seen with him last season before getting the blisters was his pitch selection. He would be cruising along and fall in love with his fastball a little too much.

As for the closer spot everything I have heard so far has said McDougal will get the oppurtunity, and they may even consider the dreaded bullpen by commitee if he falters. I wouldn't consider McDougal a sleeper just yet, he is young and inexperienced on a team who may not win a ton of games.

Heavy Hitter, I beleive the hispanic guy you are talking about blew out his elbow a couple years ago. His name isn't coming to me right now.

 

[Stewy]

Fletcher

Fletcher

Me and a couple buddys stayed after a game a few years back and had a chance to talk to Randa after a game. we talked to him for about 15 minutes out in the parking lot. He was with out a doubt the most down to earth likeable ball player I have met. We teased him about his permanent smile and he said he doesn't know he is smiling all the time but everyone always reminds him about it. As a normal guy walking the streets you would never know he was a major league ball player.

 

[royalfan]

I care as much as anyone. They are going to be in a lot of shootouts this year, especially if Relaford and Febles can just do a decent job setting the table. I highly doubt Ibanez hits 2nd but he may have to unless Febles and Relaford can get it done setting the table. It would be better for ibanez to hit 5th and protect Sweeney in my estimation and have the train hit 6th.

 

[BADTODABONE]

Stewy,

Early 90's? What ever happened to the closer out of Wichita State, Jamie Bluma? At that time he was drafted I think he was in Omaha, I moved west and lost track. Was he a flash and a fade?
Also think he had a younger brother who enrolled @WSU after older bro was drafted. ANY KNOWLEDGE? Read an article today out of a KC press that out of 20 people asked the question, 14 could not name a starting pitcher in the Royals rotation, season ticketsales way down,less than 7000. Have been to several ball games @ Royals, including 1st World Series appearence and a later ALC playoff in the rain. Sent you another poem for the 14th,Gen Disc. Congrats to you and the Mrs., 1st together.

 

[BADTODABONE]

Stewy,

Got you mixed up with Stuman on Valentine GL, if it is your 1st, 2nd, rounding third or taking it HOME, congrats. Going with the Indians Logo, Eric Wedge, 1st year Manager, catcher for the Shockers when thy won the CWS. Was in Wichita at that time and plan on seeing him again at a ballpark in Texas this year.

 

[Stewy]

Royalfan

I sure hope that Febles could be productive in the 2 spot. I am pulling for him as much as anyone but I will beleive it when I see it. Ibanez would be a much better fit in the 5 spot but we can't have a 200 hitter batting 2nd. I For one am actually interested in this season, I enjoy watching young talent develop and I wish more people would feel the same so maybe we can have a winner here in a few years and not lose the Royals all together.

 

[royalfan]

Stewy:

I agree. It would be heartbreaking to lose the franchise. I live in Omaha and tyr to make it down when I can. We ought to take in a game together. I would love to see Febles finally develop into what they thought he would be. Somehow, someway, someone needs to show the ability to get on base in the first two slots. I think there is plenty of production in the next 5 spots in the order. A good start would be huge for them. Last couple years they were out of the race right away. Made for a long few seasons. No matter what it is a fun time of year. Everyone is 0-0 right now. It is a weak division and you never know.