Author Spotlight
Jeff Cole
February has fallen upon us and at this point in the year, most people are looking forward to the warmer spring days and the plants to come back into bloom. The last thing to go through a Kansas City Royals fan’s head this time of the year is well…the Royals.
As one of the Royals biggest fans, in my mind atleast, I can tell you that this is about as excited as I’ve ever been to see the boys in blue take the field in early April.
Last year, the best thing to happen to the Royals organization was getting Zack Greinke to extend his contract. While this wasn’t exciting at the time, it turned out to be vital to the Royals staying out of last place for the fourth consecutive year. Instead they ended up in fourth.
The dust is finally starting to settle though, as the Royals have Spring Training in Surprise, Arizona in sight. This year’s offseason aqcuisitions have sparked national attention, and have more than just the city’s fans excited.
For the first time in my lengthy Royals fanhood, I can brag that my family has season tickets for a team with some of the cheapest season ticket prices in the bigs.
Who is it that has me so riled up you ask? Brace yourself…
Centerfielder Rich Ankiel
An opeining in Center field: After center fielder Coco Crisp, an early off season trade from 2009, went down with an injury towards the end of his first season, Royals GM Dayton Moore knew he had to appease the fans with a big name guy. Coincidentally, St. Louis Cardinals former pitcher current outfielder Rich Ankiel was looking for a center field spot that the Cardinals wouldn’t give him.
Finding a diamond in the rough: For those unaware of his past, Ankiel was a solid pitcher that had come up through the Cardinals orginazation. When it came time for the young Ankiel to pitch game one of the National League Division Series though, he may as well have quit.
The young 21 year old Ankiel threw five straight wild pitches before being taken out by Manager Tony LaRusa. That was 2001. Then in 2005, after moving down back to square one, or single A minor league ball, Ankiel realized his calling; the outfield. With the arm strength of a pitcher and an athletic build to match, the adjustment for him would be easy.
Ankiel worked through the ranks of minor league ball and made his way back to the big leagues in 2007 where he thrived until late 2009 when his progress began to slow after colliding with the wall of Busch stadium and was diagnosed with whiplash. He ended 2009 with a .231 BA, 11 HR, 38 RBI, and a slugging percentage of .387, which would even make most of the Royals hitters feel embarassed.
My grade:
It will be an interesting year for Ankiel. I mentioned his strong arm before and that is one of his key qualities. I’m a bit dissapointed with his batting average but he did end up missing quite a few games at the end of 2009, so it is respectable. He really likes to swing the wood, which I think will benefit him in the American league. A lot of the Royal’s younger guys watched the third strike as it went by last year, but I don’t think it will happen with this veteran. After all, statistics show that if you in fact swing at a pitch, you have the odds on your side to get on base. Look for Ankiel to also have some assists and boost that batting average up.~B+~
Left fielder Scott Podsednik
Bringing in Power, Consistency:
It wasn’t but five months ago that Scott Podsednik was giving the Royals a hard time, whether they were playing in Kansas City or Chicago. Podsednik, notoriously known for battering American League pitfching, was feared by any team he faced, but was always able to do a bit more damage to the shorthanded pitching staff of Kansas City. As the 2010 season arises, I no longer have to fear south paw outfielder from the division rival White Sox, but can instead say his name with ease.
Adding Strength, and experience to an outfield in need of help:
I won’t lie to you, the Royals did infact have a mariad of spectacular outfield plays last year, but couldn’t ever get a solid set of fielders to play for a sizeable amount of time. With outfielders David DeJesus, Coco Crisp and Jose Guillen all missing their fair share of games, guys like Mitch Maier, Willie Bloomquist, and even Mark Teahen tried their hand at playing the positions, but were usually unsuccesful.
With Podsednik joining Ankiel and DeJesus in the outfield, the Royals have set up a situation where they should be able to play solid defense, throw, and hit the ball. Otherwise known as playing fundamentally sound baseball.
My grade:
Podsenik is a guy I really am excited about. He fills some big shoes for a team hasn’t seemed to be able to size up the past couple of years.
For a guy who played 132 out of 162 games last year, Podsednik was really able to make his name with the bat. Hitting .304 with an on base percentage of .764, Podsednik is a true threat and is looking to be the big bat the Royals have needed. Podsednik will be replacing Jose Guillen in the outfield, despite Guillen remaining on the roster.
Guillen who was either hurt, or was having a temper tantrum has a descent arm, but when he is frustrated, it shows. You can’t be like that in professional baseball and expect things to work out just fine.
Look for Podsednik to provide balance in all aspects of the game and give Billy Butler a run for his money with the wood. ~A~
Catcher Jason Kendall
Catch you later:
After 2009, the Royals hit two birds with one stone by releasing veteran catchers John Buck and Miguel Olivo. After his performance in 09′, I can’t really say I disagree with the decision on Buck, but the Royals essentially handed the Colorado Rockies Olivo, who was clutch in late season batting, and also caught most of the Games for American League Cy Young winner Zack Greinke.
Although Olivo was able to come up big sometimes, a trend I’ve begun to notice with the revamped Royals is consistency. Olivo didn’t have a consistent arm in 2009, thus leading to a trade, but something must have popped into GM Moore’s mind when thinking about catcher Jason Kendall.
Leading beyond his years:
Acquired in late December of 2009, Kendall wound up with the Royals after spending a year with the Brewers in Milwaukee. Coming off a mediocre year, Kendall has been brought in to catch the majority of the games in 2010 while being a leader for one of the youngest teams in baseball.
My grade:
Kendall will have to play a big role on this young team. The three time all-star should do a sufficient job behind the dish with his 14 years of professional experience. He replaces two catchers who split time, but puts their best attributes together. With a combination of solid defense, a strong arm, and the ability to spray the ball all over the field, look for Kendall to play a key role if the Royals are to make a run at winning the division.~B~
My 2010 starting line up, listed by position:
P-Zach Greinke
C-Jason Kendall
1B-Billy Butler
2B-Willie Bloomquist/
SS-Mike Aviles/Willie Bloomquist
3B-Alex Gordon
LF-Scott Podsednik
CF-Rich Ankiel
RF-David DeJesus
DH-Mitch Maier/Jose Guillen
CLOSER-Joakim Soria
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