Happy Friday, Royals fans. It’s Friday the 13th and we are ONLY ONE DAY AWAY FROM KENNY CHESNEY. There was a ton of action on our site yesterday that I want to make sure you’re all caught up on before we bring you two more pieces of content today.
You hit this topic right on the head, Helen. Hey, Montgomery and Lexington, get a grip. Poking fun at a group of young people is one thing. Remember, I’m a huge baseball fan so the people that they are trying to cater to doesn’t include me. This isn’t something that offends me, it’s just stupid. I don’t get to see the revenue that teams generate from this, but somehow I don’t think that mocking millennials is going to draw more of them into your game.
Kowar, the college teammate of Royals first overall pick in the 2018 Draft Brady Singer, has been ranked by many as the Royals best selection in the draft. His fastball reaches the mid-upper-90’s and his changeup is better than a lot of pitchers in the MLB right now. His assignment to Lexington is great news for the future of his development, as I think there’s a real chance he finishes next season with AA Northwest Arkansas, giving him an ETA in Kansas City of 2020.
49. Grant Gavin, RHP
DOB: 7/10/1995
B/T: R/R
Ht/Wt: 6’2″ 185 lbs
Levels Played, 2018: High-A (Wilmington), AA (Northwest Arkansas)
Acquired: 2016 MLB Draft, 29th Round
ETA: 2019
2018 Stats (A+/AA): 24 G, 2.83 ERA, 41.1 IP, 32 H, 13 R, 13 ER, 17 BB, 52 SOA Kansas City native that pitched out of relief at Central Missouri, the Royals grabbed Grant Gavin in the 29th round of the 2016 draft. In his first three minor league seasons, he has put up very eye-popping numbers, posting a 2.08 ERA in 153 innings, striking out 176 and walking 47.
A polished pitcher that has soared up the ranks, Gavin may not be too far away from a major league bullpen. He throws a fastball that sits closer to the lower-90s but can touch mid-90s. The curveball may end up being his best secondary, but I love what I’ve seen from his late life changeup out of the Northwest Arkansas bullpen.
I broke down the historical context of what Seuly Matias and MJ Melendez are doing this season.
The other two members of the top 10 ISO are Seuly Matias and MJ Melendez. Literally everyone else on this list is either an above average major league hitter for their career or a top 100 prospect (Waters). The average major league wRC+ of that group is 119. 119. And our boys Seuly Matias and MJ Melendez are out in front of almost all of ’em (Chase Vallot came in at 17 on the list, Khalil Lee at 28, 8 spots above Christian Yelich).
Adalberto Mondesi is starting to show flashes of greatness.
With the graces of Royals Review and a tradition from the “Royals Rumblings”, today’s Minor League Minutes will include a song in honor of the Kenny Chesney concert tomorrow. Enjoy! Have a safe weekend and remember to drink lots of water if you’re going to tailgate all day Saturday.