Weekend Rumblings - News for December 29, 2024

Have the Royals done enough on offense?

Anne Rogers questions whether the Royals have done enough to improve the offense.

So working deep counts and getting on base should be a priority in 2025. Whether the Royals rely on internal improvements for this area or bring someone new in to help the lineup remains to be seen. Do the Royals think homegrown players like Garcia, Massey and MJ Melendez will show enough improvement to be the upgrade they seek offensively? How much belief do they have in Hunter Renfroe having a bounce-back year? Or will they swing another trade or sign a free agent to add an already proven player in the middle of the lineup and have the returning players platoon or fight for a spot in spring?

The next month or so will give us an answer to these questions and more.

Kevin O’Brien at Royals Reporter looks at Statcast data for Royals minor leaguers like Nick Pratto.

Swings-and-misses were an issue for Pratto last year, as his 30.8% whiff rate ranked in the 22nd percentile, and his 30.2% K rate ranked in the 7th percentile. However, the more significant concern was the lack of quality contact in 2024.

While Pratto’s 90th% EV ranked in the 53rd percentile, his barrel rate was slightly below average at 5.6%, ranking in the 49th percentile. His hard-hit rate of 36.5% ranked in the 41st percentile, and his 86.5 MPH average EV ranked in the 38th percentile. He also only pulled the ball 35.2% of the time, and his pull FB%, which typically correlates highly with home runs, ranked in the 34th percentile.

Sarah Langs at MLB.com has one amazing stat for each team.

Royals: Bobby Witt Jr. continued to impress in Year 3. He had a stellar all-around season, coming in at the 99th percentile in batting run value, 96th in baserunning value and 95th in fielding run value. He’s only the second player to be in the 95th percentile or better in batting, baserunning and fielding run value for a season since all were first tracked in 2016, according to MLB’s Jason Bernard. Witt joined Mookie Betts in his 2018 MVP season.

Preston Farr at Farm to Fountains notes that prospect Brennon McNair is showing some pop.

The 2024 changes to McNair’s swing lessened that hitch and simplified his swing mechanics. It looks to have essentially split his swing mechanics in half. Now, McNair looks to start low in his stance before stepping into his swing and allowing his lower half to remain more on time. That lower half in particular seems to be the key to the recent power surge.

Mike Gillespie at Kings of Kauffman wonders if Frank Mozzicato can break through this year.

The Diamondbacks ink Corbin Burnes to a six-year, $210 million deal.

Teoscar Hernandez returns to the Dodgers on a three-year, $66 million contract.

The Tigers sign infielder Gleyber Torres to a one-year, $15 million deal.

Will the Mets bring back Pete Alonso now?

The Mariners and Red Sox have been engaged in trade talks.

CC Sabathia wants a Yankees cap if he has a plaque in Cooperstown.

David Schoenfield at ESPN lists the top ten most aggrieved fanbases.

Jay Jaffe at Fangraphs looks at the Hall of Fame case for Ian Kinsler.

Athletics president Dave Kaval resigns.

Former big league infielder Gary Sutherland dies at the age of 80.

Sportscaster Greg Gumbel dies from cancer at the age of 78.

The Sacramento Kings fire coach Mike Brown by phone just as he was driving to the plan for a road trip.

Christopher Nolan’s next movie will be based on The Odyssey.

What are the biggest scientific mysteries that are still unsolved?

The best Christmas movies that have nothing to do with Christmas.

Your song of the day is Fleetwood Mac with Dreams.