The Royals come into the 2012 season as the dark horse candidates to win the AL Central, led by Ned Yost the youngest team in baseball are poised to make a run at the top of the division.
CATCHERS
Salvador Perez
Perez started the 2011 season in Class AA Northwest Arkansas Naturals but he progressed and was called up to Class AAA Omaha Storm Chasers. Due to injuries to Matt Treanor forced his callup in August, he finished the season with the Royals hitting .331 with 3 homeruns and 21 RBIs im just 39 games. Perez is seen as the favorite for the Opening Day starter.
Brayan Pena
Pena was mainly the backup catcher for Matt Treanor and is seen fighting for a spot as the backup catcher for 2012. In 79 games, he hit .248, 3 homeruns, and 24 RBIs.
Manny Pina
Pina started the year in AAA Omaha but was sent down to AA Northwest Arkansas when Perez was called up to Omaha. He was a September call-up, but he did see a week in the majors when Pena went on paternity leave. He played in only four games.
FIRST BASE
Eric Hosmer
Hosmer broke through to the Royals in May, and is seen to be a long term solution at first base. He finished third in Rookie of the Year voting. In 128 games, he hit .293 with 19 homeruns and 78 RBIs. Scouts say he has "Hall of Fame potential". He is a lock for the Opening Day Starter.
SECOND BASE
Johnny Giavotella
Giavotella started 2012 in Omaha and was called up in the late July and became the everyday second baseman. In 46 games, he hit .247 with 2 homeruns and 21 RBIs. He is the favorite to be the Opening Day second baseman.
SHORTSTOP
Alcides Escobar
Escobar was traded from Milwaukee to Kansas City in the Zack Greinke trade. He play almost every game this year (all but 4). He has superior defense and can make some amazing plays, he stuggled with the bat early but he really put it together late in the year. He will be the Opening Day shortstop.
THIRD BASE
Mike Moustakas
Moustakas was called up in the middle of the year to great fanfare. He did not start off well, much like Escobar but then when he hit a .187 average on the year, he went on a complete tear to end the year. He finished the year with a .263 batting average with 5 homeruns and 30 RBIs. His development along with the rest of the team is key for a successful 2012 year. He will start on Opening Day.
OUTFIELD
LF Alex Gordon
Gordon had a breakout year in his first full season in left field. He won the Gold Glove award with a franchise record and Major League leading 20 outfield asstists. He hit .303 with 23 homeruns and 87 RBIs. He is a lock for Opening Day.
CF Lorenzo Cain
Cain, via the Cabrera trade, will most likely become the defacto everyday center fielder. In AAA Omaha, he hit .312 with 16 homeruns and 81 RBIs.
RF Jeff Francoeur
Francoeur signed a one year deal with the Royals before the 2011 season. He came in as the everyday right fielder and performed well enough to earn a two year extension with Kansas City. He had 16 outfield assists and was a finalist for the Right Field Gold Glove. He hit .285 with 20 homeruns and 87 RBIs. He is a lock for the Opening Day lineup.
STARTING ROTATION
Luke Hochevar
Jon Sanchez
Danny Duffy
Bruce Chen
Mike Montgomery
BULLPEN
LR Nathan Adcock
LR Pelipe Paulino
MR Tim Collins
MR Louis Coleman
SU Aaron Crow
SU Greg Holland
SU Jon Broxton
CL Joakim Soria
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
RoadRunners Report
Coming off of back-to-back South Division Championships, the Topeka RoadRunners were the favorites to "three-peat" in the 2011-2012 season. They didn't start off so hot, the lost the first two games but blew up in a big way, winning 8-1 over the Chicago Hitmen. The RoadRunners finished September at 2 wins 3 losses and 1 overtime loss.
In October, the RoadRunners had back-to-back-to-back blowouts of the Wichita Falls (TX) Wildcats. They were on the road all but two games in the month (Wichita Falls) and had a 7W-4L-1OTL month and on the season were 9W-7L-2OTL. They traveled to Amarillo, Tx, Frisco, Tx, Odessa, Tx, Rio Rancho, MN.
November was better on the travel part as Topeka had six home game and only two road games in Springfield, Mo which Topeka swept the two game series. Topeka faced Amarillo (1-1), Springfield (1-1), and Amarillo (2-0) again. Topeka went 6-2 on the month and 15W-9L-2OTL.
The RoadRunners have played four games in December, they traveled to Corpus Christi (L and OTL) then came home for a two game set with Wichita Falls and got two wins. Their record as of December 14th is 18W-10L-2OTL.
The RoadRunners are about the half way point of the season, they are currently third in the south 12 points out of Amarillo. The leading goal scorer is Brian Christie with 14, then Dan Dupell, Ryan White, and Ben Bahe with 11,10 and 10 respectively. The goalkeepers Peter Traber and Josh Hillegas split time and have allowed a total 59 goals in 27 games played.
In October, the RoadRunners had back-to-back-to-back blowouts of the Wichita Falls (TX) Wildcats. They were on the road all but two games in the month (Wichita Falls) and had a 7W-4L-1OTL month and on the season were 9W-7L-2OTL. They traveled to Amarillo, Tx, Frisco, Tx, Odessa, Tx, Rio Rancho, MN.
November was better on the travel part as Topeka had six home game and only two road games in Springfield, Mo which Topeka swept the two game series. Topeka faced Amarillo (1-1), Springfield (1-1), and Amarillo (2-0) again. Topeka went 6-2 on the month and 15W-9L-2OTL.
The RoadRunners have played four games in December, they traveled to Corpus Christi (L and OTL) then came home for a two game set with Wichita Falls and got two wins. Their record as of December 14th is 18W-10L-2OTL.
The RoadRunners are about the half way point of the season, they are currently third in the south 12 points out of Amarillo. The leading goal scorer is Brian Christie with 14, then Dan Dupell, Ryan White, and Ben Bahe with 11,10 and 10 respectively. The goalkeepers Peter Traber and Josh Hillegas split time and have allowed a total 59 goals in 27 games played.
Chiefs Fire Head Coach
In a tumultuous season, after losing All-Pros QB Matt Cassel, S Eric Berry and RB Jamaal Charles and losing via blowout (20 or more points) five of their 8 losses, the Kansas City Chiefs GM Scott Pioli and Owner/Chairman Clark Hunt decided to relieve Head Coach Todd Haley of his duties.
This came off the heels of a 37-10 loss to the New York Jets after two weeks of very competitive football losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers 13-9 and beating the Chicago Bears 10-3. At 5-8 the Chiefs are almost assuredly eliminated from the playoff picture, even though mathematically alive. The interim head coach will be defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel. Crennel was a head coach for the Cleveland Browns from 2005 to 2008 and had an overall record 24 wins and 40 losses.
The coaching search has, most likely, begun; some names that have already been rumored are Steve Fisher and Josh McDaniels. The fans want Bill Cower or Jon Gruden but both are long shots if not mere pipe dreams.
This came off the heels of a 37-10 loss to the New York Jets after two weeks of very competitive football losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers 13-9 and beating the Chicago Bears 10-3. At 5-8 the Chiefs are almost assuredly eliminated from the playoff picture, even though mathematically alive. The interim head coach will be defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel. Crennel was a head coach for the Cleveland Browns from 2005 to 2008 and had an overall record 24 wins and 40 losses.
The coaching search has, most likely, begun; some names that have already been rumored are Steve Fisher and Josh McDaniels. The fans want Bill Cower or Jon Gruden but both are long shots if not mere pipe dreams.
Chiefs Hit Another Bump In The Road
The 2011 Kansas City Chiefs have already had bad luck and bad play. In the last preseason game, the Chiefs lost their starting Tight End Tony Moeaki to a torn ACL. To start the season, the Chiefs lost their All-Pro Safety Eric Berry to a torn ACL in the first quarter of the season in a blow-out 41-7 against the Buffalo Bills. The on week 2, the Chiefs traveled to Detroit Lions and lost All-Pro Running Back Jamaal Charles to, what else, a torn ACL. They lost, embarrassingly 48-3. The Chiefs traveled to San Diego to face the Chargers in week 3 and played a close game. The Chiefs were driving, down a field goal, with less than 2 minutes left in the game. The Chiefs were to run a simple bubble screen to the left, but a miscommunication occurred, leading to a San Diego defensive lineman to intercept the ball to end the game.
The Chiefs were looking at a 0-4 start when they went down 17-0 to the Colts. Matt Cassel led the Chiefs to a comeback win; 28-24. The Chiefs beat the Minnesota Vikings at Arrowhead the next week and improved their record to 2-3. The Chiefs traveled to Oakland, California to face their arch rivals, the Oakland Raiders; the Chiefs thoroughly dismantled their offense forcing their two quarterbacks to throw six total interceptions in a shutout win 28-0. The Chiefs came back home for a Halloween Monday Night showdown versus the Chargers for the AFC West lead. The Chiefs looked like they were going to lose when late in the fourth quarter in a tie game, the Chargers in well in field goal range; Chargers QB inexplicably fumbles the snap which the Chiefs recover and go to overtime. Ultimately, Chiefs kicker, Ryan Succop nails a field goal to win the game. Kansas City was at 4-3 on top of the AFC West.
The, win less, Miami Dolphins come to town and destroy the Chiefs 31-3 in Arrowhead. The next week, the Denver Broncos come to Kansas City and also takes down the Chiefs 17-10; but more importantly, Chiefs QB Matt Cassel did not finish the game. He exited the game early with an injury to his throwing hand, which was later to be determined to be a broken hand requiring season-ending surgery.
Tyler Palko is now the Chiefs starting quarterback as they go into New England to face the Patriots on Monday Night Football. They were demolished 34-3.
The Chiefs were looking at a 0-4 start when they went down 17-0 to the Colts. Matt Cassel led the Chiefs to a comeback win; 28-24. The Chiefs beat the Minnesota Vikings at Arrowhead the next week and improved their record to 2-3. The Chiefs traveled to Oakland, California to face their arch rivals, the Oakland Raiders; the Chiefs thoroughly dismantled their offense forcing their two quarterbacks to throw six total interceptions in a shutout win 28-0. The Chiefs came back home for a Halloween Monday Night showdown versus the Chargers for the AFC West lead. The Chiefs looked like they were going to lose when late in the fourth quarter in a tie game, the Chargers in well in field goal range; Chargers QB inexplicably fumbles the snap which the Chiefs recover and go to overtime. Ultimately, Chiefs kicker, Ryan Succop nails a field goal to win the game. Kansas City was at 4-3 on top of the AFC West.
The, win less, Miami Dolphins come to town and destroy the Chiefs 31-3 in Arrowhead. The next week, the Denver Broncos come to Kansas City and also takes down the Chiefs 17-10; but more importantly, Chiefs QB Matt Cassel did not finish the game. He exited the game early with an injury to his throwing hand, which was later to be determined to be a broken hand requiring season-ending surgery.
Tyler Palko is now the Chiefs starting quarterback as they go into New England to face the Patriots on Monday Night Football. They were demolished 34-3.
Royals at the Winter Meetings
Earlier in the off season, the Royals were thought to be in on the bidding for free agent staring pitchers, C.J. Wilson, Mark Buehrle and Roy Oswalt, but their asking prices were deemed too high by the Royals front office. C.J. Wilson went on to sign with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for the term of 5 years for a total worth of $77.5 million dollars which complimented their signing of Albert Pujols who got 10 years for $254 million. Mark Buehrle signed a 4 year-$58 million dollar contract with the Miami Marlins. Those types of contracts would almost assuredly sink the Royals, so GM Dayton Moore said that the free agent market for starters were too high and wanted to on developing a "killer bullpen".
The first move of this "killer bullpen" was signing Jonathan Broxton to a one year; four million dollar contract. Broxton had a short year in 2011 due to injury and elbow surgery in May; he only pitched in 14 games and recorded 7 saves. He is a two time All-Star closer in 2009 and 2010. He is seen to be the inherent new setup man to another two time All-Star closer Joakim Soria. Along with relievers, Greg Holland and, Topeka product and All-Star, Aaron Crow; the back end of the bullpen could be figures out for 2012.
The first move of this "killer bullpen" was signing Jonathan Broxton to a one year; four million dollar contract. Broxton had a short year in 2011 due to injury and elbow surgery in May; he only pitched in 14 games and recorded 7 saves. He is a two time All-Star closer in 2009 and 2010. He is seen to be the inherent new setup man to another two time All-Star closer Joakim Soria. Along with relievers, Greg Holland and, Topeka product and All-Star, Aaron Crow; the back end of the bullpen could be figures out for 2012.
The Royals Trade Melky Cabrera
On November 7th,the Royals traded starting center fielder Mekly Cabrera to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for left-handed starting pitcher Jonathan Snachez and for Class AA lefty starter Ryan Verdugo. In 2011, Melky hit for a .305 average with 201 hits, 44 doubles and 18 home runs, in a major bounce back year. General Manager Dayton Moore saw a need for starting pitching and "pulled the trigger" for Sanchez. Sanchez, in a down year, started 19 games and only pitched 101.1 innings for a 4-7 record and a 4.26 earned run average with 102 strikeouts and 66 walks. His WHIP (Walks + Hits per Innings Pitched), which measures how many baserunners he allows per inning was a a high 1.44.
Essentially, Moore sold high on Cabrera and bought low on Sanchez. The other piece of the trade was Ryan Verdougo, who in 4 minor league seasons has a record 21-7 and an ERA of 3.14. He is seen as a reliever if he gets to the majors; he may start in Class AAA Omaha to start the 2012 season.
The vacancy left by Cabrera will most likely be filled by Lorenzo Cain, who was acquired by the Royals last off-season in the Zack Greinke trade. In a full year playing for AAA Omaha Storm Chasers, he hit .312, 16 home runs, 81 RBIs, walked 40 times and struck out 102 times. He stole 16 bases and was caught 6 times. He was viewed as the heir to the center fielding job last year before the Royals signed Melky Cabrera; once again he is the favorite to win the job this year.
Essentially, Moore sold high on Cabrera and bought low on Sanchez. The other piece of the trade was Ryan Verdougo, who in 4 minor league seasons has a record 21-7 and an ERA of 3.14. He is seen as a reliever if he gets to the majors; he may start in Class AAA Omaha to start the 2012 season.
The vacancy left by Cabrera will most likely be filled by Lorenzo Cain, who was acquired by the Royals last off-season in the Zack Greinke trade. In a full year playing for AAA Omaha Storm Chasers, he hit .312, 16 home runs, 81 RBIs, walked 40 times and struck out 102 times. He stole 16 bases and was caught 6 times. He was viewed as the heir to the center fielding job last year before the Royals signed Melky Cabrera; once again he is the favorite to win the job this year.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Chiefs MNF
Kansas City Chiefs vs San Diego ChargersMonday, October 31, 2011
The Chiefs play on ESPN's Monday Night Football on Halloween Night for first place in the AFC West.
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The Chiefs play on ESPN's Monday Night Football on Halloween Night for first place in the AFC West.
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Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Monday, October 3, 2011
About This Blog
This blog is going to be about the Kansas City Royals' 2011 season and any of their off season moves, the Kansas City Chiefs' 2011 season that is currently in progress, and the Topeka Roadrunners and their 2011-2012 campaign. I will post about anything noteworthy about any of the teams.
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