Royals Rumblings – News for October 24, 2024

Happy birthday Eric Hosmer (I know you’re reading this)

Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen are providing a glimpse of the future in the Arizona Fall League:

“We’ve learned we’re both passionate about the game,” Caglianone said. “We play hard. That’s probably our biggest commonality.”

“We both want not just us to succeed,” Jensen added. “We want everybody else around us to succeed more than we want ourselves to succeed. We motivate each other.”

The pair of left-handed sluggers also share an affinity in the power department.

Speaking of, here is your weekly AFL Royals update:

• Jac Caglianone started four games at first base, going 3-17 with a double, a homer, and a walk. He is hitting .231/.262/.359 across 42 plate appearances.

• Carter Jensen made just one start at catcher, going 2-4 with a homer and a walk. He is hitting .333/.474/.733 across 19 plate appearances.

• Brett Squires started two games in right field and one in left, going 2-11 with a walk. He is hitting .115/.226/.154 across 31 plate appearances.
• Daniel Vázquez started two games at shortstop and one at second base, going 2-11 with a stolen base. He is hitting .190/.250/.190 across 24 plate appearances.
• Luinder Avila made a three-inning relief appearance, allowing one run and striking out three. He has a 4.15 ERA with nine strikeouts and five walks in 8.2 innings.
• Brandon Johnson pitched thrice, allowing just two baserunners and striking out six across 3.2 scoreless innings. He hasn’t allowed a run and has surrendered just two baserunners and struck out seven across 4.2 innings.
• Chazz Martinez tossed a scoreless inning in his only appearance. He has walked three and struck out two across 2.1 scoreless innings.
• Shane Panzini started a game and got roughed up to the tune of four runs allowed in three innings. He has a 6.75 ERA with two walks and five strikeouts across 6.2 innings.
• Anthony Simonelli allowed two baserunners and struck out two in two scoreless innings. He’s struck out five batters and walked two across four scoreless innings.

Overseas winter leagues are starting up and a number of Royals heading to the Dominican to play in LIDOM, with a sizeable contingent playing for Gigantes del Cibao:

• Diego Hernández is back for a second straight winter. He has started in all three outfield spots, going 6-13 with a double, two walks, and a stolen base.

• Tyler Tolbert has started three games in center field, going 2-10 with a couple stolen bases.

• Andrew Hoffmann has made two relief appearances, allowing two runs and striking out two in 2.1 innings.
• Beck Way has made one relief appearance, walking and striking out two in 1.2 scoreless innings.
• Evan Sisk is the odd man out, pitching for Aguilas Cibaeñas. He’s made three appearances, surrendering two runs and striking out three across 1.2 innings.

No Royals have made an appearance in the Venezuelan Winter League as far as I can tell, and leagues in Puerto Rico and Australia have yet to begin play.

The AFL is implementing the first check swing challenge system ever used in affiliated baseball.

Courtesy of Grant Brisbee, The Hater’s Guide to the 2024 World Series. ($)

There is currently a serious shortage of reliable pitching.

Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run ball auctioned for a record-breaking $4.4 million.

On the legacy of Fernando Valenzuela, who passed away at 63.

The Chiefs are acquiring wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in a trade with the Titans.

The Boston Celtics were booed by their own fans in a blowout win on opening night.

LeBron and Bronny James made history Tuesday night, becoming the first father-son duo to take the floor together in an NBA game.

College football teams are becoming more brazen with exploiting rule loopholes in games.

Hans Zimmer’s score for Dune: Part Two will not be eligible for Oscars.

The upcoming installment in the Call of Duty franchise will not be available in Kuwait due to its portrayal of Saddam Hussein.

Your song of the day is Rattle by Bingo Players.