Royals Rumblings - News for January 20, 2025
We salute Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
David Lesky looks at the non-roster invitees to spring training.
Let’s see, Biggio is interesting as an NRI given where he was just a few years ago. I don’t think he makes the team. Devanney is a guy who I think should be a utility infielder in the big leagues right now because he can hit a little and can play shortstop capably. Tolbert has been in camp before. We know he can fly and can play infield and outfield. Vaz was in camp last year and made a crazy play in left field. He’s a future big leaguer and I guess that’s it.
Oh wait, the Royals invited Cags to camp, which goes against the grain for them, but shows how advanced they think he is. He isn’t going to make the roster on Opening Day, but I would not be surprised if he’s in the lineup at the big league level by August. I wouldn’t be surprised if he isn’t either, for whatever that’s worth, but the Royals think he can move very fast.
Kevin O’Brien at Royals Reporter ranks his top ten prospects in the system with Javier Vaz ranked #6.
Regarding the professional outlook, the 24-year-old utility player can play multiple positions in the infield and outfield and has a patient eye at the plate. He has walked more than he struck out the past two seasons, and his contact and plate discipline tools are arguably the best in the Royals system. He doesn’t have much power, as he has only hit 16 home runs in the past two seasons (between High-A and Double-A). He hits the ball hard, and the batted-ball metrics rated better last year, according to most scouts. At the minimum, Vaz can be a Nicky Lopez at the MLB level, with the opportunity to develop into something more if the power and batted-ball metrics can continue to mature in 2025 (likely in Omaha).
The Dodgers sign reliever Tanner Scott to a four-year, $72 million deal.
The rest of the league is grumbling about the Dodgers’ moves.
Are Alex Bregman and Nolan Arenado still on Boston’s radar?
Toronto is interested in Max Scherzer.
The Cubs are interested in reliever Carlos Estevez.
The Blue Jays are facing criticism for taking on a bad contract in an unsuccessful effort to land Roki Sasaki.
MLB Trade Rumors asks whether fans would give up an entire season for a salary cap.
The inside story of the last game Bob Uecker ever called.
Did you know former Royals pitching coach Dave Eiland was a double for Kevin Costner?
Pirates owner Bob Nutting tells angry fans he won’t sell.
Former MLB catcher and manager Jeff Torborg dies at the age of 83.
The Bills will face the Chiefs at Arrowhead for the AFC Championship.
Is this the worst Manchester United team in history?
THC-infused drinks are taking advantage of dry January.
The breaks between TV seasons has gotten really long.
TikTok is back after going offline in the U.S. on Saturday.
Your song of the day is OK Go with A Stone Only Rolls Downhill.