Reasons to Remain a Royals Fan (Volume 2)

It is the All-Star break, and I am still on vacation so I wanted to continue sending positive thoughts out to Royals fans everywhere.  Volume 2 of Reasons to Remain a Royals Fan takes a shotgun approach with a little All-Star game news, a little post-break anticipation, and some statistical evidence that Eric Hosmer isn’t the only Royals prospect that is starting to turn things around.

Good news item #1:  Check out this article posted by Sam Mellinger on Kansas City.com.

Good news item #2:  According to Dick Kaegel’s post on MLB.com it looks like Betancourt and Gordon will be in the Royals lineup this week.  Regardless of people’s feelings on the Betancourt deal this is a good thing for Kansas City and this baseball team.  I find it ironic that the Betancourt trade was so widely disparaged that my mildly negative post, was regarded by many as a positive post on the trade.  I’m not a huge fan of the deal and I’m puzzled why it was made, but I have no doubt that the Royals will be better in 2009 because of it.  While neither Tony Pena Jr. or Betancourt are good defensively, Yuniesky is literally twice the hitter TPJ is.  Having Gordon back in the lineup and having Teahen available in the OF again are both good things even if Yuniesky is nothing more than a more expensive version of TPJ.

Good news item #3:  Mike Moustakas is 8-19 in his last 4 games with 3 doubles, 2 home runs and 8 RBI.

Good news item #4:  David Lough is 5-12 in his last 3 games for NW Arkansas.  Since his promotion to Double-A he is now hitting 0.368/.400/.553 with only 3 SO in 38 at bats.

Good news item #5:  19 year old Tim Melville has a 3.78 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 1.82 K/BB in his first 50 innings pitched for the Burlington Bees.  His stats don’t jump off the page, but he is starting his professional career in low-A and he is young.

Good news item #6:  Melville has been good, but Mike Montgomery, who just turned 20, has been even better.  In 48.0 innings with the Bees, Montgomery has a 1.69 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 2.00 K/BB.

Greinke should be getting his turn in the All-Star game shortly.  Here’s hoping he does the Kansas City Royals organization proud.