SB Nation User Blog: Stook

The criticism doesn't make sense.

Stook — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 01:32:08 -0000

The criticism doesn't make sense.

Surprised we were not just told to trust The Process. Thanks for calling us all stupid again GMDM.

Brett Blasts the Media

Stook — Tue, 19 May 2009 01:54:17 -0000

Brett Blasts the Media

Apparently there are 30 teams in baseball that don't think Jack Harry, Kevin Keitzman and others are not fit to manage or be the GM of any teams. Classic George Brett. Hope George doesn't know what this internet thing is and doesn't find RoyalsReview!

MLBTrade Rumors and Teixeira

Stook — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 23:05:12 -0000

The Royals are mentioned as a possible "suitor" for Mark Teixeira assuming he makes it to free agency next year. Other possible suitors they list are the Orioles, Braves, Red Sox, Yankees, Mariners, Mets and Giant.

Know this is a year in advance but what is everyone's thoughts on the Royals having a chance with this Boras client?

Read the Cards Game Blog

Stook — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 04:47:27 -0000

Much respect to the Cards posters. They are knowledgable fans. They were all over Kip wells tonight and rightfully so. Granted that the didn't really give the Royals any credit (but do we ever really give the other team any credit either???). Just a group of fans that is tired of losing and don't want loser (Elarton...Perez..anybody?) pitchers pitching for them. Aside from the little comment about KC being an inferior city, a very entertaining blog tonight.

Royals 2006 vs 2007

Stook — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 23:15:25 -0000

Per my brother's research:

More Q&D numbers (I might be a touch off here or there - I didn't get a chance to double check these while I'm acting like I'm working)....

Thru 22 games 2006 2007
Wins 5 7
Offense #
Runs 83 85
Hits 176 178
HRs 14 19
K's 147 176 (ouch!)
BB's 57 68
Defense
Errors 16 14
Pitching #
IP 189 195
R/ER 139/125 114/97
ERA 5.95 4.48
HRs allow 28 19
K's 119 138
BB's 101 73

We're not that much different offensively. Although, we are striking out much more without the "vortex of suckitude" than we did with him. Swing aggressively boys! Yeah - maybe we should concentrate on MAKING CONTACT aggressively! Defense is slightly better (although unearned runs are up). The real difference is pitching. We're better at keeping the ball in the yard, and we're not putting as many free runners on base.

The Great Debate

Stook — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 16:30:09 -0000

Great post by Stook, today's game thread will be over in the diaries.-RR

Joakim Soria. I think we can all agree on two things: 1. What a cool baseball name. 2. He will be on the 25 man roster when camp breaks. What we can't seem to agree on is his role, #5 starter or relief pitcher. One side of the argument says that he's better than at least 3 or 4 of our other starting pitchers. The other side is that he's a young kid that hasn't done anything so why rush him.

I decided to look at the numbers. Below are 5 (4 Royals top 30 BA prospects)pitchers numbers from 2006 (not including winter ball cause I could not find it).

W-L ERA G GS SV IP H BB SO
1 12-4 4.23 29 29 0 166 170 86 148
2 1-0 3.48 46 0 15 49 42 13 41
3 1-9 2.81 52 0 13 77 66 32 86
4 12-5 3.95 40 7 10 98 93 22 117
5 12-6 2.16 26 26 0 146 92 34 168

Somebody mentioned that Soria dominated last year (maybe he did winter ball...again I don't know), but only one guy above I would say DOMINATED last year. That's #5. #5 is unfortunatley the lone non-Royal above, Philip Hughes in the Yankee organization. #1 is Billy Buckner. I included him only to show how far he has to go to make it. 2-4 are basically interchangable. All had good, but not great years. All have pros and cons, but I'd say from best to worst would be 4 (Jarod Plummer),3 (Ryan Braun),and 2 (Joakim Soria).

I will admit that it is hard to compare numbers alone. All pitched in different leagues and at different levels. Plummer spent about his 4th year of his career in A ball, so it could be argued that he should have dominated. Braun is considerably older. Soria was in the Mexican League which even if I concede that it is AA level, it's still two levels away from the Bigs and he didn't exactly domintate it.

I will say that Soria and Plummer have comparable career numbers

W-L ERA G GS SV IP H BB SO
Plummer 26-17 3.69 102 35 12 325 293 73 330
Soria 9-2 3.44 93 13 16 170 164 56 173

Note..both are the same age. Prior to winter ball, Soria has only started 13 games in his career. 13 games. Over his career, Soria's control has been good, but not as good as Plummer's. Plummer just doesn't get the press.

Honestly I could make the case the Braun and Plummer should be on the team before Soria. But that's only if you use the numbers. I have admitted that Soria sure has looked good. He LOOKS like he could be a successful pitcher in the Bigs. The thing is..that's the fan/scout in me. The numbers just don't back that up. The most innings Soria has thrown is a year is 66 and some of you want to throw him out there for 170-180 innings? There are no indications that he can even be successful as a starting pitcher. There's only our hopes and dreams.

So..I STILL contend that we don't know what we have. We've seen the guy pitch about 14 innings in Spring Training. He's still hanging curves that once the word gets out will be hit a LONG, LONG WAY. He has been injured and hasn't exactly thrown starters innings at any point in his career. We can afford to put him in the pen and see what he can do from there. If he succeds then we'll see.

Surprise Report

Stook — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 15:42:55 -0000

I just got back from Surprise last night and I must say that I'm rather disappointed to be back at work. It was hot, hot, hot on Saturday, but the beer was nice and cold. Oh and there was baseball being played.

I watched the Sat. and Sun. games. For those of you that haven't been, the complex in Surprise is wonderful. The fields are well groomed, the stadium is first rate, the beer is cold, and the beer girls (at least at the Pyramid, Shiner Bock tent) were..umm..nice to look at.

The Sunday game was played in Scotsdale at the Giant's complex. It was also a nice complex, with plenty of lawn space, but half the seating was bleachers (boo). It's neither here nor there, but the "scenery" was much better in Scotsdale (although if you are familiar with the Phoenix area that should be no Surprise...wow..I just realized I made a joke). Anyway..The Scotsdale stadium is no joke. It's 360 down the lines and 430 to center (alleys are not marked, but I'd guess 390). One final note..if you ever plan on visiting, don't bother paying the $20 some people were charging to park. There is a free lot just east of the stadium.

ANYWAY...My observations:
Gil Meche: I wasn't really at a good angle to watch his pitches in the first 3 innings, but he was successful. I don't recall a hard hit ball. The fourth inning was of course a different story. I will say that it appeared to me that he was still landing on his heal and not his toes. It looked like he was trying to fix that in the 4th, but was too worried about it. Needless to say..I think he has some work still to do.

Gordon: I think the thing that stood out the most for me was that nothing stood out. I think what I mean is that he just looks like he belongs. Other than that..his HR on Sun was a line-drive SHOT that I think would have landed towards the back of the Royals bullpen at the K. He then Ked twice and looked like he was having trouble with the breaking ball. The other observation that I had was just watching Gordon make throws to first in between innings. They were chest high, on the money..every time.

Teahen: Looks OK in center, but shouldn't make a habit of being there. At the plate, he looks comfortable and is attacking. I expect big things from Teahen this year. I don't think June 1 on from last year was a joke. That is the real Mark Teahen.

Butler: Oh boy..OF will be an adventure. He looks like a monster at the plate though. I can't wait to see him at the K taking aim for the fountains. I just hope that when he's in the field the ball tends to find other players.

I think that's about it..nothing too Earth shattering, unless you wanted to know where the best scenery in the Cactus League is. I'm excited..can't wait to pull up to The K on opening day and start the tradition of winning baseball all over again.

Update [2007-3-19 12:43:15 by Stook]:As my brother just pointed out..I didn't mention him. He lives in Phoenix, so if anybody would like a free place to stay you can call him at...j/k. He was also at the games with me..actually purchased the tickets..and agrees with everything I said. I will give him props though since a lot of my Spring Training reports/information comes through him. Yeah Older Stook!