Matt Klaassen

Sorry, delete this if it's too political or whatever. But this does not seem to be a joke, or at least not an intentional one. I guess all Yost's hunting and outfielders "gunning down" base runners didn't cut it.

Well DUH... like we need a Giants fan to tell us that.

Just interesting given today's developments and discussions. Some interesting quotes. ________ "The general view among industry insiders is that the players’ union will staunchly oppose any "hard slotting" in the draft, rebelling against any policy that could be considered a salary cap — even if that cap is relegated to players who have never played an inning of professional baseball." [yeah, not so much] _____________ '"In some drafts, there are picks that are worth the highest order, and in other drafts, there are picks that are worth a lot less," Boras said. "So (baseball shouldn’t) create some falsity and take away that intellectual evaluation because talent doesn’t run uniformly every year; it runs in flows and streams."' _________________ Boras also holds a belief that a hard-slotting system could push young baseball players toward other sports. Royals general manager Dayton Moore disagrees with that sentiment, but Royals officials do expect that more high school players will elect to go to college — at least for a year or two. "What? Are players not going to sign?" Moore says. "The money doesn’t make the player. What ultimately makes the player is his willingness and his passion to play." _________________ "My problem sometimes," Royals outfielder Jeff Francoeur says, "is that you get a first-round pick, and that’s a lot of money to pay a high school kid who’s 18, and you don’t exactly know what you’re always gonna get. But at the same time, that’s the great thing about baseball — the free-agent market — you can get what you can get." Francoeur is serving on a players’ association committee as both sides prepare for negotiation, and he’s thought about the options. Maybe you move the signing deadline up to the beginning of July, he says, and that would lessen the leverage of draft picks and get them out playing earlier. This much is certain: The multimillion dollar signing bonuses are catching the eye of veteran major-leaguers. "I think it’s just getting out of control now," Francoeur says. ________________________ Might be too easy, but that last one is illuminating to read with this in mind.

I don't pretend to know much about this stuff, but Kevin Scobee does. Scobee (@scobes15 on Twitter) was a college pitcher who has coaching experience himself. He also gets input from current University of Georgia picher Derek McGowan. Whatever your position is, this is definitely worth a read for those interested in Bannister, McClure, the Royals, or pitching in general.

Wow, what an insult. To Chen, I mean.

Discuss. NB: I just discovered some pretty hilarious "nyroyal" related tags that must have been around for a while...

Clint Scoles (kcscoliny at Royals Review and SBNation) has started Minor League Fans Scouting report. His focuses on the Royals (of course), but it could and I hope will be done for all systems to give fans who are interested but don't get to see the different teams in their teams and other teams' systems an idea what prospects are out there, as well as giving their own input. Are there other versions of projects like Clint's out there? If so, let us know! It goes without saying that if you're a Royals fan, you should check this out and participate.

As if the lure of hearing my dulcet tones discuss Jason Kendall and the other lesser stars of the 2011 AL Central along with host Dave Gershman and special guest Nick Scott of Royals Authority wasn't enough, Dave also interviews Phillies prospect Jiwan James. And yes, sorry in advance for the blatant self-promotion.

Handy for some nerdy tasks (like setting up expected win-loss records and standings). Scroll down or search for it.