I was wasting some time just now, using Stumbleupon, and I came across this article about Abilene Christian OT Tony Washington. He is extremely talented, has great size at 6'6 311 lbs., and was projected by some to go as high as the second round. He participated in the Combine, and his agent, Vann McElroy, says "maybe four teams" said they wouldn't draft him. But the days of the draft ticked away and Tony never heard his name called. And now, weeks after the draft has ended, he still hasn't signed with any team. What gives?

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I was listening to 1580 KTGR ESPN radio in Columbia on the way home from class just now, and they're doing their 2010 NFL Draft Recap show today. Right now they're talking to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writer about Sam Bradford and the rest of the Rams draft picks, but after the commercial break they're going to talk to Babb and The Man of the Hour Himself, Eric Berry. Also, for those interested in a Danario update, he's going to be on a little later too, to talk about what's going on with him and his undrafted status. You can listen in online at www.ktgr.com. Click the "Listen Live!" button, put in your email address and zip code, and you're on your way.

It looks like there are a bunch of major league average OF guys available right now that could be signed for almost nothing. Any of them would be an upgrade over Guillen in right and an upgrade over whoever is going to be our 4th outfielder. They would also have the distinct advantage of not being Scott Podsednik, a guy who has put up a negative WAR three of the last four seasons and would command a much higher salary due to his veteran status. Let's take a look at some of the cheap talent we will probably pass on to vastly overpay Pods and his gritty leadership, thus declaring our OF complete.

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[Promoted for Front Page Friday!]

Hey everyone, I'm new here. As you may have guessed I came over from the great Royals SBNation blog, Royals Review. Once again I am impressed by the quality of content and discourse on an SBN blog. Great job guys, I'm going to have lots of fun here.

Anyway, like the title says, I spent five years as a trombonist for the Big M of the Midwest, Marching Mizzou. If any of you happen to remember the guy that came out to the 50 yard line and ripped a solo during halftime of last year's kU game at Arrowhead, that was me. Marching Mizzou has given me tons of amazing stories and experiences and some of the best friends (and girlfriend) that I've ever had. I was also in Mini Mizzou for the past 4 years, so I've gotten to watch the basketball team grow up as well as traveling around with them. I've met many of the players from last year's squad, and they are awesome guys. I've spoken with Mike Alden on many occasions, and he deserves all the credit in the world for how this university's teams have turned around since he was hired.

So I thought it would be fun for everyone if I answered any questions you guys ever had about the band. Ever wonder why we play something, or what it is exactly we're doing on the field during halftime, or how much work it takes to put on that show every Saturday? Ask! And anyone else on here that was in band or a cheerleader or Truman should answer, too.

Well folks, after blowing a late inning lead for the 6th consecutive game after the All-Star Break, the Royals' 2009 has gone from "lost season" to "Hindenburg crashing into the Titanic." I'm going to keep watching the games and rooting for us to win, but I think it's time to latch myself onto some other team and become a bandwagon fan for the rest of the season.

Usually when I'm choosing a team to cheer for I pick the underdog, but since the Royals are the fleas living in the underdog's butt fur, I feel like my karma's strong enough to pick a contender. Another way I pick a team is rooting for former Missouri Tigers. Luckily, my choice fulfills both criteria, with the added bonus of it being my friend's favorite team. So without further ado, I officially announce that my second team for the remainder of 2009 is...

Why the Rangers? Traditionally they've been losers but they're having a great season, on pace for their first winning record since 2004. They have Ian Kinsler, who didn't do that much at Mizzou but magically became one of the best 2B in baseball when he made it to the pros, especially this year as he has improved dramatically in the field.Their hitters are fun to watch, especially at home. Their SS is a 20 year old defensive savant, putting up a ridiculous UZR/150 of 11.1 in his first major league season. If there is any justice in the world, he will have a Gold Glove at the toughest position in baseball before he is old enough to buy a beer (of course with the year Jeter is having, we all know he'll get yet another one). Their sometime closer CJ Wilson uses like 7 different pitches, including, allegedly, the mythical gyroball. He also shows some Greinke-esque tendencies of being a person instead of a ballplaying robot. He hosts Guitar Hero tournaments, considers himself a Taoist, and gets in trouble for speaking up about his political beliefs, such as this gem from his blog: "I'm paying taxes no matter who the President is, just please God not Hillary." Also, their SB Nation blog regulars are pretty cool as they are the creators of many useful rally JPEGs and/or GIFs.

I know the Royals are playing a series against the Rangers starting on Friday, but don't worry. I'll still be pulling for Greinke and the rest of the boys from KC. It's like the Royals represent my longtime verbally abusive wife, who has aged badly and gained a lot of weight since the wedding day but damn if I don't come home to her ceaseless nagging and bad cooking every night anyway, and the Rangers represent the cute blonde receptionist at work who has a penchant for miniskirts and married men. It'll only be a passing fling that will last a couple of months.

Anyway, this is the place for you guys to announce your adopted teams for the remainder of 2009. There are lots of interesting teams out there. The Rockies are having a surprising year, including former Royal LHP Jorge de la Rosa. The Giants have amazing young pitching talent and Kung Fu Panda. Baltimore won't make the playoffs but have some exciting young players like Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, and the Second Coming Himself, Matt Wieters. Post the name of your new second team and a couple of reasons for picking them.

Cast off the shackles of Royals fanhood and join me in being a shameless bandwagon fan!

From the Star:

Royals pitcher Zack Greinke will not be the starter in the All-Star Game, The Star has learned. The Blue Jays' Roy Halladay will start for the American League squad in the game, which is Tuesday in St. Louis. Greinke is 10-5 with a 2.12 ERA that ranks as the best in the American League. Halladay is 10-3 with a 2.85 ERA.

And so Joe Maddon denies us the one bit of good news we were expecting to hear about the Royals possibly for the rest of the season. Well, I was expecting it at least. Zack is having one of the greatest starts in history, but I guess being rumored to be traded to the Phillies is more important than pitching well. There is no reason that Zack shouldn't at least get this small reward for pitching his ass off for an awful team. He's literally better across the entire board than Halladay except for losing two more times (which is due only to the two pitchers' respective teams) and he's allowed four more walks. Other than that, he's won the same number of games, his ERA is lower, he's struck out more batters, he's pitched more innings, had fewer hit batters and wild pitches, and also thrown more complete games and shutouts.

Zack's stats

DOC HALLADAY'S STATS LOL

I know it's not really a big deal, but there is absolutely no reason but ignorance for Zack to be getting snubbed here. If I were him, when I was eventually put into the game, I'd just throw wild pitches into the crowd until Maddon took me out, at which point I would moonwalk out of the stadium flipping the bird with both hands, and go to Chipotle for a burrito.

I thought you were cool, Joe Maddon. I guess I was wrong.

So here it is, 3:30 AM on the morning of Day 2 of the Draft. I was busy all day and didn't get to see much coverage of the draft at all until just now, right before bedtime. I've been very pleased with the draft so far, and I'm especially excited to see my boy Aaron Crow in Royal Blue. I watched him dominate for Mizzou many times, and I think he'll be very good for us. I certainly hope he works out better than Will Franklin did for the Chiefs!

Anyway, I was looking at the (surprisingly cool) draft reports on MLB.com and saw a few names I hope Dayton and the boys are tossing around in a few hours. I know it's late, but on the off-chance that we end up picking any of these guys I want to be able to point to this post and say, "See? I told them they should do it the night/morning before!"

1. SS Stephen Perez, Gulliver Prep HS

Sounds like a good all-around ballplayer. Maybe a little undersized at 5'11'', but David Eckstein has been in the pros for years at about half that height. Switch-hitter with a short stroke and some power to the pull side on either side of the plate. Very solid defender with an above-average to plus arm and great instincts. The big knock on him is his relatively slow speed, but he stole 42 bases for his all-prospect team, so he can't be Molina-slow. Bonus: everything about his makeup just screams GRIT.

2. CF Brian Goodwin, Rocky Mount HS

The draft report compares him to Kenny Lofton more than once, which to me is a good sign. He's the fast, plus defender that the Royals need in center. Apparently his swing is a little weird but it somehow works for average and gap power. Last season he hit .473 with 15 doubles and 4 triples, and he stole 21 bases. He's a prototypical top of the lineup guy. Think of him as Coco, only 10 years younger with an ability to hit a little and throw the ball farther than an anemic newborn girl.

3. LHP Nick Hernandez, University of Tennessee

I wouldn't want us to get this guy real early due to some ERA concerns, but he is just the type of control-oriented lefty that gives the Royals fits. He seems like a real workhorse type who can eat a lot of innings but keep you in the game. Not really dominant strikeout-type stuff but has good command of all his pitches--see his 63/9 K/BB ratio last season. I wouldn't mind seeing a guy like this in the #5 spot in our rotation. He was the weekend ace for the Volunteers, and for a fun little add-in, his uncle is renowned sucky umpire Angel Hernandez!

4. RHP Kendal Volz, Baylor University

Though he is a starter for Baylor, he was the definition of a shutdown closer for the USA national team, finishing last season with 8 saves in 8 tries and a 0.00 ERA. He's built like a linebacker at 6'5", 225 lbs., and he can get his fastball up to 97 MPH, though he usually works a little lower. Has good late movement and command on all his pitches. Repertoire is your standard fastball/slider/changeup, but all three are solid and could end up as plus pitches. Obviously has versatility to start or come out of the bullpen. With a little work on his consistency, he could be very good.

Other guys I wouldn't mind seeing us pick up later on are Daniel Tuttle, a HS RHP with a great arm but mechanical issues, and Ryan Jackson, a SS for the University of Miami in the Adam Everett mold who has an incredible glove but not much bat to speak of. Maybe he's the next Ozzie Smith! But probably not.

What other names do you guys and gals hope we call tomorrow/today?