Royals Rumblings – News for October 17, 2024

The AFL is rolling.

The Royals saw their success in 2024 as a confirmation of internal expectations:

“What I struggle with, to be honest, is what the external expectations were versus what they are in that room,” Quatraro said. “There’s a big divide there. Because regardless of what people thought we should or shouldn’t do last year or this year, the expectations for all of us in that room are that we’re going to win every night.”

It’s safe to say the gap between internal and external expectations will be closer in 2025.

Sam McDowell names five things the Royals need to accomplish this offseason:

The Royals pitching staff, after all, rated above average in throwing strikes during the regular season, making significant strides from 2023. Their walk percentage decreased from 9% to 7.9%. Some work to be done at the plate, though. The Royals are intent on finding a leadoff hitter this winter, whether that’s through internal or external means. They should be. Bobby Witt Jr. is one of the most feared hitters on the planet. But he stepped to the plate 433 times with the bases empty, the most of any non-leadoff hitter in baseball. He’s a little less fearsome when the most damage he can provide is a single run.

The Arizona Fall League is underway, which means it’s time for the first of many offseason league Royals roundups. The Surprise Saguaros have played eight games with Royals players appearing in seven of them.

• Jac Caglianone has started five games at first base, going 6-22 with a double and two walks.

• Carter Jensen has made two starts at catcher and one as the DH. He is 3-11 with a homer and three walks.

• Brett Squires has started four games in right field. He is 1-15 with a double, two walks, and a HBP.
• Daniel Vázquez has started three games at second base, going 2-10 with a couple walks.
• Luinder Avila has made two starts on the mound totaling six innings. He’s allowed five runs (three earned) with six strikeouts and four walks.
• Brandon Johnson has made one relief appearance, tossing a perfect inning with a strikeout.
• Chazz Martinez has pitched 1.1 scoreless innings across two relief appearances with two strikeouts but three walks (he entered with one out in his first outing, walked the bases loaded, then struck out the next two batters to escape the inning.
• Shane Panzini has pitched 3.2 innings across two relief appearances, striking out four and walking two while allowing a run.
• Anthony Simonelli has pitched two scoreless innings in the same number of relief appearances, striking out three and walking one.

The Los Angeles Dodgers hit three homers and shut out the New York Mets to take a 2-1 lead in the NLCS.

Despite winning the batting title, Luis Arraez had a down year at the dish.

Jerry Reinsdorf is exploring a sale of the White Sox. ($)

The Asheville Tourists are holding an online auction to help with hurricane relief efforts.

Tom Brady’s broadcasting will be diminished by his new ownership role.

Sabrina Ionescu hit the game-winning three to give the New York Liberty a 2-1 lead over the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA Finals.

Stephen A. Smith knows a thing or two about Magic: The Gathering.

A time capsule from 1924 was opened yesterday in Kansas City.

Scientists found life under the deep ocean floor.

Liam Payne of One Direction passed away at 31.

Your song of the day is Damage by Lights.