Bobby Witt Jr. is a Sporting News All-Star.
Anne Rogers writes about Royals prospects to keep an eye on next year.
Steven Zobac, RHP (No. 17)
The Royals’ fourth-round Draft pick in 2022, Zobac did not become a full-time pitcher until his junior year at Cal, so the Royals were a little more cautious with his innings last year in his first full pro season.
This year, they let him loose. And by the end of the season, Zobac was named the Royals’ Paul Splittorff Pitcher of the Year and not only gained recognition internally, but also interest from other organizations.
David Lesky thinks ownership will continue to spend on the roster.
But, and I’ll reiterate this point from last week, it seems like the Royals are going to continue spending some money to fill holes. From what I’ve heard, the ownership group experienced losing 100 games and they experienced making the playoffs and advancing and they prefer the latter. Duh. With so many other teams in financial disarray because of the television deal (did you hear Bally Sports is now FanDuel Sports Network?), it feels like an opportunity for the Royals to reenact their strong 2023/2024 offseason and outspend almost everyone. Is that sustainable? Maybe, maybe not. But while they continue to work to rebuild the development system from the bottom up, it does buy them some time.
The Sporting News names Bobby Witt Jr. to the American League All-Star team.
They also name Cleveland’s Stephen Vogt AL Manager of the Year and Milwaukee’s Matt Arnold Executive of the Year.
How the Dodgers built their World Series roster.
How the Yankees built their World Series roster.
Ranking all 52 players in the World Series.
A look back at the covers for the World Series programs for past Dodgers/Yankees matchups.
The Marlins interview Guardians coach Craig Albernaz and Dodgers coach Clayton McCullough for their managerial opening.
The White Sox are narrowing down their managerial candidate list.
MLBPA head Tony Clark applauds the expanded playoffs but balks at further expanding them.
The AP stylebook gets pedantic about baseball terminology, spurring backlash.
Former Yankees pitcher Rudy May, who pitched against the Royals in the 1980 ALCS, dies at age 80.
Kansas City wants a WNBA expansion franchise.
Which college basketball coaches are on the hot seat?
Why are there so many movie ending explainers now?
A town in Saskatchewan can’t find anyone to run for mayor.
How an amateur sleuth solved some of the art world’s biggest heists.
Your song of the day is Chicago with 25 or 6 to 4.