How about some bonus content? With the MLB Draft concluded, Clint Scoles tracked down Lonnie Goldberg, the Royals' Director of Scouting, to talk about the 2017 draft, a few key players, some sleepers, and how these future Royals fit in within the rest of the farm system. It's interesting insight into a bit of the Royals' process and the kinds of players they were looking for in this year's draft pool. You can find more of Clint Scoles's minor league and draft work at Baseball Prospectus Kansas C...
Jun 16, 2017•19 min
The Royals have been playing well and scoring runs finally. A big part of that has been the power bat of Mike Moustakas. We discussed his continuing chase for Steve Balboni's club record of 36 homers in a season, including some thoughts on his future past the trade deadline. We also talked about Matt Strahm's shot at the rotation and what we're thinking about his readiness to join the rotation. And we also brought on BP Kansas City's own Clint Scoles to talk about the Royals draft, including the...
Jun 15, 2017•1 hr 20 min
After the Royals came back against Houston on Tuesday, it felt a little more like the recent Hey Day of the Dayton Moore era than what we've seen so far in 2017. The game also highlighted the improved performance of late of Whit Merrifield, Eric Hosmer, and others. On top of that, Mike Moustakas is ahead of Steve Balboni's franchise-record home run pace. We also talked about some milestones the Royals have reached during Dayton Moore's tenure and compared them to the great Royals run of yesterye...
Jun 08, 2017•1 hr 10 min
Danny Duffy went on the DL. He's unlikely to return until near the trade deadline. This team may look quite different when he returns. We discussed Duffy's injury and what it means, especially for this point in the season and where the Royals sit in the standings. A tough hill to climb just got tougher. There have been a couple of bright spots, though. Eric Skoglund stepped in and did an admirable job in his MLB debut (and at the end of the show, we share some audio courtesy of our own Clint Sco...
Jun 01, 2017•1 hr 8 min
The Royals passed the quarter pole of the 2017 season and so far have been consistently inconsistent. The rough patches have them looking up at the rest of the American League and there's a lot of work to do to turn it around. Can they? It's going to take some help but that help may only be in the form of the current roster turning it around. Otherwise...in a few weeks, we may be talking about trades and rebuilding. On that note, we also talked about acquiring prospects via trade vs. in the draf...
May 25, 2017•1 hr 11 min
The Royals have hit a little better in May but Ned Yost is still working on how to jumpstart the offense. So he went back to an old trick and put Alcides Escobar at leadoff. We talked about "Esky Magic" and why it's silly if you're taking it seriously. After the break, we talked about the recent roster moves, primarily the decision to designate Christian Colon for assignment and his unique legacy with the Royals. Follow the Vault at @KCBaseballVault. Follow host Jeff Herr at @TheJeffReport, co-h...
May 11, 2017•1 hr 14 min
Well there are signs of some life on the Royals, but they're still digging their way out of early season slumps and futility. We discussed some of the recent bright spots, like an Eric Hosmer hitting streak and Jorge Soler's performance in Triple A (and pending recall from a rehab assignment). We talked about Lorenzo Cain and picking favorites. We talked about the division's makeup as of May 4th. But mostly, we looked for any reassurance about this season and if there's some way to climb out and...
May 05, 2017•1 hr 8 min
The Royals went winless since our last episode, largely due to continued struggles at the plate. How can they work out of it? What's the biggest issue? When do you start to worry (or are you already?)? We tried to address those questions, including what has to happen going forward for the Royals to climb out of the hole they've made for themselves, and at what point it's too deep to come back from... Follow the Vault at @KCBaseballVault. Follow host Jeff Herr at @TheJeffReport, co-host Michael E...
Apr 27, 2017•1 hr 20 min
The Royals ran into a four-game winning streak, but their offensive numbers wouldn't make you believe it. Despite a mostly successful homestand, there are still some stragglers in the lineup. Jeff and Mike discussed Eric Hosmer, Alex Gordon, and a little more about Raul Mondesi and what kinds of things they can do to right their personal ships. It wasn't all bad, though. The rotation is nails right now, and the bullpen is regrouping. We discussed both and how likely they may be to keep it up. Fo...
Apr 20, 2017•1 hr 13 min
The Royals bullpen hasn't been very strong. The offense has looked rough. It's not ideal. So the Royals made a couple of moves to give Matt Strahm a break and get some fresh arms in town. Curiously, their struggling second baseman Raul Mondesi isn't drawing much attention from the coaching staff yet. We talked about these struggles and the slight intrigue of Jake Junis in the bullpen at the big league level. Follow the Vault at @KCBaseballVault. Follow host Jeff Herr at @TheJeffReport, co-host M...
Apr 13, 2017•55 min
Hey! The Royals opened their season in Minnesota, ready to start their last year in The Window and get back to the playoffs! Then the Twins - the Twins! - mopped the floor with them. We did our best to pick out a couple of bright spots, but we did have to cover the rough series and our impressions of what it means (if anything). Commiserate with us for an hour! Follow the Vault at @KCBaseballVault. Follow host Jeff Herr at @TheJeffReport, co-host Michael Engel at @michaelengel. You can also emai...
Apr 07, 2017•52 min
It's been an active winter for the Royals, full of difficult decisions and even more difficult emotions. On Monday, however, it's time for another baseball season and Opening Day. We discussed the sneaky potential in the starting rotation, the depth of the lineup, and the makeup of the bullpen and what the season may hold for each element. Follow the Vault at @KCBaseballVault. Follow host Jeff Herr at @TheJeffReport, co-host Michael Engel at @michaelengel. You can also email feedback to KansasCi...
Mar 31, 2017•1 hr 20 min
Six years ago this week, we started this podcast, so to commemorate it, we brought on an old friend and the founder of our show, Troy Olsen. We shared some memories and talked about Royals baseball. In the second segment, Jeff and Mike unveiled their 3rd annual batch of Over/Under predictions for a number of Royals statistics in 2017, then offered up some bold predictions about the season. Follow the Vault at @KCBaseballVault. Follow host Jeff Herr at @TheJeffReport, co-host Michael Engel at @mi...
Mar 23, 2017•1 hr 47 min
This week, a look at some surprising performers in Royals spring training. From Raul Mondesi to Jorge Bonifacio and Scott Alexander to Yender Caramo. These guys are putting themselves on the radar for opening day, or at least another look later in the year. We also talked about the injury to Salvador Perez in the World Baseball Classic and the sigh of relief Kansas City is breathing after good news. And we also discussed David Glass's comments about Scott Boras and Eric Hosmer. Follow the Vault ...
Mar 16, 2017•1 hr 14 min
The Royals' big league camp is thinning out this week, as they made their first big cut, sending numerous players to minor league camp. Along with that, others are joining their countrymen for the World Baseball Classic. Jeff and Mike discussed both topics in this episode, including thoughts about the importance of the WBC, the potential of Josh Staumont, and what Kyle Zimmer's move means. We also talked about some defensive position swaps Ned Yost has been testing out this spring and which ones...
Mar 09, 2017•56 min
This week, we looked at the first week of spring training and the early signs regarding some spring training position battles. There aren't many, but second base has a trio (a quartet!?) of players who could see time there in 2017. We discuss Raul Mondesi, Christian Colon, Whit Merrifield, and - hey, it could happen - Cheslor Cuthbert. We also talked about the fifth starter spot. It seems like it's Nathan Karns's job to lose, but Travis Wood has a shot, as does Chris Young, and all three have go...
Mar 03, 2017•53 min
After two weeks off, we have returned to talk about a slew of signings that add depth and intrigue to the Royals' pitching staff this spring. We discussed Seth Maness and his miracle surgery, Jason Hammel and his value, Travis Wood and Nathan Karns and the starting rotation battle, as well as youngsters Matt Strahm, Josh Staumont, and Kyle Zimmer. We also talked about the rumblings about Eric Hosmer contract extension talks and the difficulty in projecting what the kind of deal might look like. ...
Feb 23, 2017•1 hr 39 min
The Royals added some pop to their lineup - again - by signing Brandon Moss to a two-year deal. We discussed his contract, his strengths and weaknesses, and the addition of some power and patience to the Royals' lineup in 2017. We also discussed what might come next, as Dayton Moore has said he isn't done yet. Perhaps Jason Hammel? Follow the Vault at @KCBaseballVault. Follow host Jeff Herr at @TheJeffReport, co-host Michael Engel at @michaelengel. You can also email feedback to KansasCityBaseba...
Feb 02, 2017•1 hr
In this episode, we simply reflect on the life and career of Yordano Ventura in light of his tragic death at the age of 25. Follow the Vault at @KCBaseballVault. Follow host Jeff Herr at @TheJeffReport, co-host Michael Engel at @michaelengel. You can also email feedback to KansasCityBaseballVault@gmail.com . We'll be back to business as usual next week.
Jan 26, 2017•59 min
Put on your finest bear suit, put on some sweet jams, and have a gnar time listening to Jeff and Mike talk about Danny Duffy and his new contract. We spent time on this show to talk about Danny Duffy's career to this point, his commitment to the Royals, and what might lie ahead for him. With the savings in 2017 on Duffy's salary, plus the payroll moved in the Wade Davis and Jarrod Dyson deals, the Royals might even have some room to add a couple more pieces. Follow the Vault at @KCBaseballVault....
Jan 19, 2017•1 hr 16 min
So after a pretty quiet offseason, the Royals started to make a few moves. In the last week, the big move was trading longtime Royal Jarrod Dyson to Seattle for right-handed pitcher Nathan Karns. As a fan, it's a tough move because Dyson has been in the organization so long and has had so many big moments as a Royal, but deep down, it makes some sense, as the Royals trade from surplus to fill a need. We looked at where the Royals are now with Karns in the fold, how Dyson's production may be cove...
Jan 12, 2017•1 hr 21 min
The Royals were a little busier over the last week, reportedly signing pitchers Bobby Parnell and Jonathan Sanchez - yes, that Jonathan Sanchez - to minor league deals. Then they traded a minor league pitcher for catcher-turned-outfielder-slash-likely DH Peter O'Brien. We talked about how likely any of these moves are to impact the 2017 Royals, spending a lot of time on the O'Brien acquisition and the slight shift in philosophy it signals. Or does it? With O'Brien in the fold and Jorge Soler acq...
Jan 05, 2017•1 hr 7 min
While the hot stove cools off for the holidays, the baseball world seems preoccupied with Hall of Fame ballots. So we discussed our views on baseball's Hall of Fame and who on this year's ballot deserves to make it and how we'd vote. In our second segment, we pivoted to discuss the Royals Hall of Fame and which players on the current roster (and a few players from recent clubs) could make it into the Royals Hall of Fame. Follow the Vault at @KCBaseballVault. Follow host Jeff Herr at @TheJeffRepo...
Dec 22, 2016•1 hr 24 min
The rumor mill has stopped churning out tidbits for now, so Jeff and Mike made a wishlist of three relievers each who they'd like to see the Royals go after this offseason. We weighed some pros and cons for each and wondered if the payroll freed up by the Wade Davis trade would allow Kansas City to go after some of them. Follow the Vault at @KCBaseballVault. Follow host Jeff Herr at @TheJeffReport, co-host Michael Engel at @michaelengel. You can also email feedback to KansasCityBaseballVault@gma...
Dec 15, 2016•1 hr 14 min
It was hinted and suggested and assumed, and then it was finalized. Wade Davis was traded for Jorge Soler. We discussed the way the market developed, the implications of the move, Soler's potential, Davis's history, and where it leaves the Royals. Then we continued to talk about some Jarrod Dyson rumors and his sneaky value. Follow the Vault at @KCBaseballVault. Follow host Jeff Herr at @TheJeffReport, co-host Michael Engel at @michaelengel. You can also email feedback to KansasCityBaseballVault...
Dec 08, 2016•1 hr 26 min
Baseball avoided another work stoppage and agreed to a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, and while it's not dramatically different, there are notable differences from the system you may have gotten used to over the past five years of the current agreement. So we covered those details and ins and outs, and related them to what the Royals may do as they prepare for 2017 and beyond. For more from BP KC, check out David Lesky's thoughts. Craig Goldstein also has a deep look at the details on Base...
Dec 02, 2016•1 hr 9 min
Due to the holiday, we took this week off from a live recording, but we dug through the Vault and found a fun interview we did back in 2012 on the old Royalman Report. We're sharing our chat with Gar Ryness, the Batting Stance Guy - a fun discussion about baseball and fandom and goofing around with the game of baseball. You can follow the Batting Stance Guy on Twitter at @BattingStanceG. Follow the Vault at @KCBaseballVault. Follow host Jeff Herr at @TheJeffReport, co-host Michael Engel at @mich...
Nov 24, 2016•31 min
Since Kendrys Morales signed with Toronto, we talked about how the Royals might fill the DH spot and if they can find the same production by rotating the players they have now...or if they need to go to the market to find a DH. We also talked about some prospect rankings, Dayton Moore's first round picks, and looked at his acquisition of Ervin Santana in 2012 as the first "buy" move towards contention, and the context of his previous November trades. Follow the Vault at @KCBaseballVault. Follow ...
Nov 17, 2016•1 hr 2 min
Disclaimer: We ended up talking a bit about the Election, so if you want to skip right to the baseball, jump to the 45 minute mark. We didn't exactly hold back, so if you're oversaturated with it, feel free to skip this week. The Royals made some decisions on mutual options and other contract situations this week and we discussed who might return, and, in light of Greg Holland's recent workout, we lumped him in with some of the newly-determined free agents. We also talked about some of the playe...
Nov 10, 2016•1 hr 21 min
The 2016 baseball season is over. The Royals have handed over their crown. So now, it's time to look at the offseason. First, we talked about the evolution of bullpens and if we think the usage of Andrew Miller, Aroldis Chapman, et al signal a new approach to watch for in 2017, or if it's only good for the playoffs. We considered if the Royals might be an aggressive bullpen team or not and what pieces may need to be in place for that to happen. In our second segment, we talked about general idea...
Nov 04, 2016•1 hr 20 min
