Zero to Hero - A Scotsman in MLB

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Development Lab

Natalino Villa has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at center field.

Jon Dickerson has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at catcher.

Luis Aguilar has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at third base.

• No noticeable changes.

Estanislau Covete has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his base-stealing technique.

Chris Ambrose has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his base-stealing technique.

• Stealing improves by <5
• Stealing aggressiveness improves by <5

Chris Albright has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his base-stealing technique.

• Stealing improves by 5
• Stealing aggressiveness improves by <5

Chris Morrow has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his base-stealing technique.

• Stealing improves by 5
• Stealing aggressiveness improves by 5

Ben Lane has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his strength and conditioning.

Arturo Oramas has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his quality of contact.

Luis Aceves has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his two-strike approach.

• No noticeable changes.

Billy Nickelberry has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to generate more batspeed and homerun power.

• Current power rating improves by 10

Jadon Tezeno has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his quality of contact.

• Potential babip rating improves by 5
• Current babip rating improves by 5

Preseason & Spring Training

The Royals survive preseason without any serious injury and start Spring Training 2-2. There are no invites outside the 42-man roster with plenty of opportunities for those bullpen arms to step up and earn a spot in the opening day roster.

Thursday, February 25th , 2044
Purchased the contract of RP Davon Lamptey from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of SS Arturo Oramas from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of CL Jeremy Stockhoff from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of RP Edgar Gallegos from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of RP Ernesto Soriano from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of 3B Luis Aguilar from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of CL Juan Armas from Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Purchased the contract of RP Zyhir Scollan from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of RF Ernesto Pimentel from High-A Quad Cities.
Purchased the contract of CF Chris Goldberg from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of RP Jimmy Cappello from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of RP Bob Capozziello from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of C Greg Cloward from Triple A Omaha.

Transactions

Kansas City spend the remainder of their International Amateur fund on a positive personality.

Monday, February 15th , 2044
Signed international amateur 2B Rodolfo Galavis out of Dominican Republic to a minor league contract with a $250,000 signing bonus.

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Development Lab

Greg Moehring has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at pitcher.

Joe Davis has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at pitcher.

Jadon Tezeno has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at shortstop.

Arturo Oramas has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at shortstop.

Chris Goldberg has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at center field.

• No noticeable changes.

Luis Aceves has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his defense at second base.

• Infield arm rating improves by 5
• Infield range rating improves by <5
• Infield error rating improves by 5
• Turn doubleplay rating improves by <5

Bobby Nickelberry has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his defense at right field.

• Outfield arm rating improves by <5
• Outfield range rating improves by 5
• Outfield error rating improves by <5

Mike Herzner has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his defense at pitcher.

Joe Manley has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his defense at pitcher.

• Hold rating improves by <5
• Infield arm rating improves by 5
• Infield range rating improves by <5
• Infield error rating improves by 5
• Turn doubleplay rating improves by <5

Luis Danys Rhodes has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his defense at pitcher.

• Hold rating improves by <5
• Infield arm rating improves by 5
• Infield range rating improves by <5
• Infield error rating improves by <5
• Turn doubleplay rating improves by <5

Curt Bogans has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his defense at pitcher.

• Hold rating improves by 5
• Infield arm rating improves by 5
• Infield range rating improves by 5
• Infield error rating improves by 5
• Turn doubleplay rating improves by 5

Spring Training

One of the weaker performances over the Spring for the Royals as they end a game under .500 but with plenty of pitches for in the field and on the mound setting them up for the season.


The big concern is going to be the starting rotation which looks to be at serious injury risk as Joe Davis is now wrecked, and Greg Moehring and Ben Lane are both fragile while Curt Bogan’s stamina is now 35.

Monday, March 7th , 2044
SP Greg Moehring was injured while pitching. The diagnosis is not yet known.
Wednesday, March 9th , 2044
SP Greg Moehring diagnosed with elbow inflammation, will miss 2 weeks.
Invited non-roster SP Julio Bonilla to Spring Training camp.
Thursday, March 10th , 2044
SP Joe Davis was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: sprained ankle. This is a day-to-day injury expected to last 1-2 weeks.
Tuesday, March 22nd , 2044
SP Curt Bogans was injured while pitching. The diagnosis is not yet known.
Thursday, March 24th , 2044
Placed SP Greg Moehring on the active roster.
Activated SP Greg Moehring from the injured list.
Friday, March 25th , 2044
SP Curt Bogans diagnosed with elbow inflammation, will miss 2 weeks.
Saturday, March 26th , 2044
SP Joe Davis was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: back spasms. This is a day-to-day injury expected to last 5 days.

Jesus Soto is returned to the Royals after suffering a partially torn UCL, meaning he will miss 4 months.

Thursday, March 31st , 2044
Received former Rule 5 draft pick SP Jesus Soto from the San Francisco Giants.

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Major League Predictions

The prediction machine doesn’t take injury proneness into account and the Royals are once again predicted to win 100+ games and to win the AL Central. The White Sox will give them a good run though as they are predicted to win 97 games. Both teams will be trying to match the mighty Houston Astros for the number one seed as Houston is predicted to win 113 games.

Estanislau is predicted to hit 39 HRs with 99 RBI to be among the top hitters in the league although surprisingly there is no place for Bobby Nickelberry and his recently realised additional 10 points of power. On the pitching front, both Ben Lane and Greg Moehring are expected to be among the leaders with Lane predicted to eclipse 200 innings with 240 Ks, a result all Royals fans would be delighted to see him realise.



The National League is equally predictable with the Dodgers predicted to be the only 100-win team, with no other NL team predicted to win even 90 games, the Marlins and Reds predicted to win the East and Central respectively.



Opening Day Lineup



It is a familiar set of names for the Royals on the hitting side, albeit sprinkled with some new faces.

Edgar Mir will open the season at 2B for the 10th year in a row as part of an infield that against RHP will match last year’s opening line up. In the outfield, Chris Kern earns the LF spot to start the season with Chris Morrow’s left handed bat starting as DH.

Opening Day Roster Transactions

Monday, March 28th , 2044
Optioned C Greg Cloward to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned 3B Luis Aguilar to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned 2B Derek Coulston to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned 3B Chris Ambrose to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned RF Ernesto Pimentel to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Optioned CF Chris Goldberg to Triple A Omaha.

Opening Day Pitching Battery



The starting rotation is as predicted entering Spring Training with the biggest question being about their ability to stay fit.

In the bullpen, new acquisition Luis Danys Rhodes goes straight into a stopper role alongside veteran Dan Nichols with Joe Manley ready to close out games when needed. The biggest surprise is that Nate Avis, after his lost season last year, doesn’t earn a place in the bullpen but there is no doubt that he will have his chances over the course of the season.

Jimmy Cappello is out of options and so, by adding in some cash, the Royals acquire a AAA level SP in a good exchange.

Opening Day Roster Transactions

Monday, March 28th , 2044
Optioned RP Edgar Gallegos to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned RP Juan Armas to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned RP David Dettori to Triple A Omaha.
Assigned RP Julio Bonilla from Spring Training camp to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned RP Zyhir Scollan to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned RP Davon Lamptey to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned RP Julio Pesina to Triple A Omaha.
Optioned RP Nate Avis to Triple A Omaha.
Traded 25-year old RHP Jimmy Cappello and $5,000,000 in cash to the Washington Nationals, getting 23-year old minor league LHP Mike Gaytan in return.

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KC Top Prospects



MLB Top Prospects



MLB Farm Systems

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MLB Standings



Kansas City Results



Kansas City Statistics





Bobby Nickelberry swung a blistering bat last week for Kansas City, rapping out 11 hits in 25 at-bats against Royals opponents to propel himself to the American League Player of the Week Award.

Whenever the right fielder hit the ball, he hit it with authority. The 24-year-old racked up a .440 batting average with 4 home runs, 9 RBIs and 6 runs scored.

A look at his current stats shows Nickelberry with a .276 average, 6 home runs, 20 RBIs and 14 runs scored. He has played in 21 games.



Transactions & Injuries

The Royals suffered through April with Mike Herzner and Ethan Chafin both suffering injuries that will take them out for more than a month.

On the batting side, the Royals lose rookie Arturo Oramas for 6 weeks and then his replacement Chris Ambrose for 3 weeks.

The number of day-to-day injuries suffered by the starting rotation suggests the Royals will be looking to buy some SP support again at the trade deadline.

Sunday, April 3rd , 2044
SP Joe Davis was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: mild hamstring strain. This is a day-to-day injury expected to last 4 days.
Monday, April 4th , 2044
SP Mike Herzner was injured while pitching. The diagnosis is not yet known.
Thursday, April 7th , 2044
SP Mike Herzner diagnosed with back spasms, will miss 5-6 weeks.
Purchased the contract of RP Nate Avis from Triple A Omaha.
SP Curt Bogans was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: tender shoulder. This is a day-to-day injury expected to last one week.
Sunday, April 10th , 2044
SS Arturo Oramas was injured while running the bases. The Diagnosis: fractured hand. He's expected to miss about 6 weeks.
Purchased the contract of 3B Chris Ambrose from Triple A Omaha.
CF Natalino Villa was injured while running the bases. The Diagnosis: mild hamstring strain. This is a day-to-day injury expected to last 4 days.
Tuesday, April 12th , 2044
3B Chris Ambrose was injured in a collision at a base. The Diagnosis: sprained ankle. He's expected to miss about 3 weeks.
Friday, April 15th , 2044
SP Joe Davis was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: strained back. This is a day-to-day injury expected to last 3 days.
Wednesday, April 27th , 2044
1B Gilberto Matos was injured in a collision at a base. The Diagnosis: mild hamstring strain. This is a day-to-day injury expected to last 2 weeks.
Friday, April 29th , 2044
SP Ethan Chafin was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: elbow strain. He's expected to miss about 8 weeks.

Minor League News

For a rookie just breaking in, Juan Fonseca certainly put together a successful month. It was good enough to win the IL Batter of the Month award for April.

The 30-year-old left fielder for the Omaha Storm Chasers hit .329 with 11 home runs, 31 RBIs and 26 runs scored.

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MLB Standings



Kansas City Results



Kansas City Statistics







Today at Kauffman Stadium, Ben Lane of the Kansas City Royals held the Milwaukee Brewers to 3 hits en route to an impressive 4-0 shutout.

"He was able to keep hitters off-balance and got the ball down," said Royals skipper Colin Stewart about his starter's performance.

Lane had 9 strikeouts and 2 walks in the game.

To date Lane is 4-0 in 7 starts with a 2.72 ERA and has 43 strikeouts in 43 innings.

Transactions & Injuries

Further injuries have the Royals scrambling for enough pitchers to start games so their record is quite a miracle. Jaime Rhodes was picked up waivers from Colorado at the start of the month but with Mike Herzner suffering a setback, Curt Bogans going down for 2-3 months, and the ongoing absences, Mike Gaytan earned his first call up, the LHP the Royals acquired from Washington for out of options Jimmy Cappello. Ben Lane going down means that David Dettori will pitch at least a couple of games in a starting role.

The Royals also lost OF Chris Morrow for 4 months, with Chris Goldberg earning a call up from AAA while the infield injuries may be improving as both Chris Ambrose and Arturo Oramas headed for Rehab stints.

Sunday, May 1st , 2044
RP Jaime Rhodes was claimed off waivers from Colorado.
Placed RP Jaime Rhodes on the active roster.
Friday, May 6th , 2044
Mike Herzner has suffered a setback in his recovery. He is not expected to recover for another 3 weeks.
Saturday, May 7th , 2044
Sent RP Ernesto Soriano to Triple A Omaha for injury rehab.
Tuesday, May 10th , 2044
SP Joe Davis was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: tender shoulder. This is a day-to-day injury expected to last 4 days.
Friday, May 13th , 2044
Sent 3B Chris Ambrose to Triple A Omaha for injury rehab.
Sunday, May 15th , 2044
SP Joe Davis was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: mild abdominal strain. This is a day-to-day injury expected to last one week.
Monday, May 16th , 2044
SP Curt Bogans was injured while pitching. The diagnosis is not yet known.
Wednesday, May 18th , 2044
SP Curt Bogans diagnosed with elbow inflammation, will miss 2-3 months.
Purchased the contract of SP Mike Gaytan from Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Sent SS Arturo Oramas to Triple A Omaha for injury rehab.
CF Chris Morrow was injured in a collision at a base. The diagnosis is not yet known.
Sunday, May 22nd , 2044
CF Chris Morrow diagnosed with a fractured elbow, will miss 4 months.
Friday, May 27th , 2044
Purchased the contract of CF Chris Goldberg from Triple A Omaha.
SP Joe Davis was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: sore elbow. This is a day-to-day injury expected to last one week.
Tuesday, May 31st , 2044
SP Ben Lane was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: sore shoulder. He's expected to miss about 6 weeks.
Placed SP Julio Bonilla on the secondary (42-man) roster.
Purchased the contract of RP David Dettori from Triple A Omaha.

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MLB Standings



Kansas City Results



Kansas City Statistics





Transactions & Injuries

The Royals lost CF Natalino Villa for the majority of the rest of the season leaving them light in the OF and having to call up 2042 Trade acquisition Ernesto Pimental from AA.

The Royals then lost Doug Campis for almost two months and Juan Anaya for a month to tax a stretched bullpen. When Joe Davis suffered a sore elbow diagnosed as day-to-day the Royals took no chances and shut him down for 15 days. Ethan Chafin is on an injury rehab and should be back just before or after the All Star Break.

Wednesday, June 1st , 2044
CF Natalino Villa was injured while running the bases. The diagnosis is not yet known.
Optioned SS Jonathan Mumby to Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of 3B Chris Ambrose from Triple A Omaha.
Optioned RP Nate Avis to Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of RP Julio Pesina from Triple A Omaha.
Thursday, June 2nd , 2044
CF Natalino Villa diagnosed with a severely strained hip muscle, will miss 4 months.
Purchased the contract of RF Ernesto Pimentel from Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Sunday, June 5th , 2044
1B Luis Aceves was injured while running the bases. The Diagnosis: back stiffness. This is a day-to-day injury expected to last 1-2 weeks.
Monday, June 6th , 2044
Sent SP Mike Herzner to Triple A Omaha for injury rehab.
Placed 1B Luis Aceves on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to 06/05/2044.
Purchased the contract of SS Arturo Oramas from Triple A Omaha.
Wednesday, June 8th , 2044
Received former Rule 5 draft pick RP Edgar Valles from the Los Angeles Angels.
Friday, June 17th , 2044
RP Juan Anaya was injured while pitching. The diagnosis is not yet known.
Optioned 3B Chris Ambrose to Triple A Omaha.
Placed 1B Luis Aceves on the active roster.
Activated 1B Luis Aceves from the injured list.
Sunday, June 19th , 2044
RP Juan Anaya diagnosed with a hamstring strain, will miss 3-4 weeks.
Purchased the contract of RP Ernesto Soriano from Triple A Omaha.
RP Doug Campos was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: elbow strain. He's expected to miss about 7 weeks.
Purchased the contract of SP Mike Herzner from Triple A Omaha.
Thursday, June 23rd , 2044
SP Joe Davis was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: sore elbow. This is a day-to-day injury expected to last 3 weeks.
Purchased the contract of RP Nate Avis from Triple A Omaha.
Wednesday, June 29th , 2044
Sent SP Ethan Chafin to Triple A Omaha for injury rehab.

Minor League News

Frank Suniga really strutted his stuff in June with 5 wins and no losses and walked off with the Pitcher of the Month Award in the International League. The Omaha starter was good news for his club, but bad news for the opposition.

In 37 innings of work, Suniga limited opposing batters to 28 base hits and a .211 batting average. He totaled 33 strikeouts, issued 8 walks and had a 2.92 ERA.

This year, Suniga has posted a record of 9 wins and 4 losses with a 4.55 ERA. He has appeared in 15 games and struck out 81 in 97 innings.

Eddy Cordero definitely gained some fans in June with a standout performance that has won him Batter of the Month honors in the Midwest League.

The Quad Cities second baseman hit .292 with 9 home runs, 21 RBIs and 16 runs scored to capture the award.

To date, Cordero has collected 76 hits for a .309 average. He has posted 21 home runs, scored 49 runs and driven in 55 runs.

Juan Oviedo is the latest Dominican Rookie League Pitcher of the Month award winner. The Kansas City (DSL) starter stood out on the hill time and again last month and finished June with a sparkling 3-0 record.

In 5 starts last month, he fanned 34, walked 11 in 26 innings and posted a 0.69 ERA. Oviedo held opposing teams to a .187 batting average when he was on the mound.

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The Royals reach the All Star break two games ahead of their position last year but have two fewer players selected to the All Star game, with 6 split evenly between hitters and pitchers.

Among the pitchers, Dan Nichols earns his 8th All Star nod, while there are 4th selections for SP Greg Moehring and RP Luis Danys Rhodes. It is Moehring and Rhodes first as Royals, with Nichols earning a Royals All Star selection back in 2041.

On the hitting side, Bobby Nickelberry makes his second All Star selection, Gilberto Matos his third and Edgar Mir matches Nichols with his 8th appearance.

SP Greg Moehring (KC) - 7-3, 2.63 ERA, 113.0 IP, 0.98 WHIP, 9.7 K/9, 4.2 WAR
RP Dan Nichols (KC) - 7-3, 2.33 ERA, 65.2 IP, 1.10 WHIP, 9.3 K/9, 1.7 WAR
CL Luis Danys Rhodes (KC)* - 6-2, 11 SV, 2.42 ERA, 63.1 IP, 0.92 WHIP, 11.8 K/9, 2.4 WAR
1B Gilberto Matos (KC)* - .318/.428/.611, 324 AB, 21 HR, 4 SB, 180 wRC+, 4.5 WAR
2B Edgar Mir (KC)* - .256/.365/.404, 344 AB, 12 HR, 31 SB, 113 wRC+, 3.7 WAR
RF Bobby Nickelberry (KC)* - .315/.366/.554, 343 AB, 21 HR, 144 wRC+, 2.8 WAR

There are two Royals named to the All Star Game:

SP Mike Hoffer (TOR) - 8-7, 4.44 ERA, 121.2 IP, 1.24 WHIP, 6.7 K/9, 1.7 WAR
3B Mike Schwind (CHC) - .285/.379/.473, 298 AB, 14 HR, 133 wRC+, 2.9 WAR



In a pitching duel the Royals hitters actually were quite successful, with both Bobby Nickelberry and Gilberto Matos going 1-3 although they did have 5 LOB between them. Edgar Mir was less successful, going 0-2. The pitchers were perfect, all three pitching one perfect inning.



The pre-All Star portion of the season has been excellent for the Royals with stand out performances from the three All Stars but also from Luis Aceves (145 wRC+) when he has played and from Jason Tezeno (2.6 WAR).



Another tough year for Royals starting pitchers with nine different players starting games (including Curt Bogans currently on the 60-day list) but with Ben Lane (59 FIP-) and Greg Moehring (57 FIP-) at the top of the rotation they have been very successful.

In the bullpen, the majority of the arms have been better than league average, with the exception of rookie Naldo Luzcano who might need a break in AAA.

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Owner Goals



Team Record:
I'm very excited by how the team has performed so far. If you keep this up, you certainly have a great chance to win it all!

Extend your player:
Good work on getting the extension for Curt Bogans so quickly. No point in delaying what we all knew was the right move.

Acquire a player:
Thanks for your quick work in acquiring Luis Danys Rhodes. Now that I think about it, when I asked you for a Hometown player, I think I had his face in my mind the whole time.

Improve your team record:
Not a bad record in extra-inning games. Could be better, but we're looking up.

During our time working together, I have been happy with your progress towards the goals I have set out for you. Considering your current and past successes, I am ecstatic with your overall performance. It's important to have success on-field and in the boardroom, and you seem to be on that path.

The final evaluation towards these goals will come at the end of the season. Good luck in the second half!

Prospect Performance



2044 Draft

The Royals have their usual low draft position, 31st in 2044. This is another tough heavy draft with several developed college players at the top of the draft that are going to make an impact in the near future for the teams lucky enough to have high draft picks. For the Royals, it was a case of finding some value and they may have done so with 2B Chris Papp. Although only an average glove, with average speed, Papp projects to have plus contact and power, with above average gap power and an average eye.



Round 1 (Suppl.), Pick 5 - SS Jonathan Lish, age 17 out of high school
Round 2, Pick 31 - 3B Mike Mott, age 18 out of high school
Round 3, Pick 24 - SS Steve Katzin, age 18 out of high school
Round 4, Pick 28 - CF Nate Kees, age 18 out of high school
Round 5, Pick 29 - CF Jorge Joaquin, age 21 out of college (Ball State University)

The Royals sign 20 of their 21-member class, with only their 11th round pick not looking likely to reach an agreement. 19 of the class will start in Rookie ball, with 16th rounder RP Chao Huang White the only player starting in A ball.

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MLB Standings



Kansas City Results



Kansas City Statistics





Transactions & Injuries

The Royals sign several of the coaching staff to extensions in early July while, despite Joe Davis suffering a setback, welcoming back several players either to the big leagues or to injury rehabs.

There was one trade as the succession of pitching injuries see the Royals bring in some support. That support comes in the form of 2044 All Star Jeremy Ogans. The Padres are out of contention for the post season and happy to be sellers which the Royals take advantage of giving up two interesting pieces in order to set the team up for a World Series run. Those players are 2040 3rd round pick 2B Jonathan Boykin and 2041 12th round pick C Jon Dickerson. Both players likely have a MLB future but the Royals feel strong in both positions and are happy to give them up to try to injury-proof the rotation.

Friday, July 1st , 2044
Signed Scouting Director Sam Christensen to a 5-year contract extension.
Monday, July 4th , 2044
Joe Davis has suffered a setback in his recovery. He is not expected to recover for another 2 weeks.
Signed - Jin-hyuk Kim to a 5-year contract extension.
Thursday, July 7th , 2044
Signed - Eric Ridener to a 5-year contract extension.
Sunday, July 10th , 2044
Sent SP Ben Lane to Triple A Omaha for injury rehab.
Monday, July 18th , 2044
Optioned SP David Dettori to Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of SP Ben Lane from Triple A Omaha.
Optioned SP Mike Gaytan to Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of SP Ethan Chafin from Triple A Omaha.
Traded 22-year old minor league 2B Jonathan Boykin and 24-year old minor league C Jon Dickerson to the San Diego Padres, getting 25-year old LHP Jeremy Ogans and $10,000,000 in cash in return.
Optioned RP Nate Avis to Triple A Omaha.
RF Derek Coulston was designated for assignment and placed on waivers.
Placed SP Jeremy Ogans on the active roster.
Sunday, July 24th , 2044
Sent SP Curt Bogans to Triple A Omaha for injury rehab.
Sent RP Juan Anaya to Triple A Omaha for injury rehab.
Monday, July 25th , 2044
Sent SP Joe Davis to Triple A Omaha for injury rehab.
Assigned RF Derek Coulston to Triple A Omaha. 

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MLB Standings



Kansas City Results



Kansas City Statistics





Fans seated in the bleacher section at Kauffman Stadium were taking cover all day long as Luis Aceves zeroed in on them, rattling three long blasts off the seats in a display of Herculean power.

The big game from the Kansas City first baseman helped the Royals take the victory, 8-2, over the Los Angeles Angels.

"I told myself not to press on the last one," he told reporters in the postgame press conference. "I knew I couldn't force it -- it has to be a nice easy swing."

For the game, he collected 3 hits in 4 at-bats, drove in 3 and scored 3 runs.

Luis Aceves hit a solo-shot off Cason Willard in the 2nd, flied out in the 3rd, hit a solo-shot off Cason Willard in the 5th and hit a solo-shot off Chad Shaffer in the 8th.

So far in 2044 Aceves is batting .264 with 14 home runs, 40 RBIs and 34 runs scored. He has 51 hits in 193 at-bats and a .341 OBP.



Transactions & Injuries

The Royals welcome back Curt Bogans and Juan Anaya but lost two Starting Pitchers for the rest of the season – Mike Herzner with injury, and Jaime Rhodes to a waivers claim from the Angels.

September will see roster expansion and the chance to get some help for both sides of the ball.

Saturday, August 6th , 2044
Sent RP Doug Campos to Triple A Omaha for injury rehab.
Wednesday, August 17th , 2044
SP Jaime Rhodes was claimed off waivers by Los Angeles.
Optioned RP Naldo Lizcano to Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of SP Curt Bogans from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of RP Juan Anaya from Triple A Omaha.
SP Ben Lane diagnosed with abdominal soreness, is day-to-day for 1 day.
SP Mike Herzner was injured while pitching. The diagnosis is not yet known.
Thursday, August 18th , 2044
SP Mike Herzner diagnosed with a torn labrum, will miss 5 months.
Purchased the contract of SP Joe Davis from Triple A Omaha.
Wednesday, August 31st , 2044
SP Curt Bogans was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: sprained ankle. This is a day-to-day injury expected to last one week.

Minor League News

In August when the Omaha manager wrote the name "Bonilla" on the lineup card, he knew he had a good shot at winning. Start after start in the month, Julio Bonilla took the hill, took charge and usually got the win.

He dominated with a 6-0 mark and 2.50 ERA in 6 starts. The gifted Storm Chasers star pitched 36 innings, fanned 40 and held opposing teams to a .169 average.

For his outstanding mound performance Bonilla was named the IL Pitcher of the Month by the baseball writers.

So far this year, Bonilla has compiled a 14-3 record with a 3.87 ERA.

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MLB Standings

The Astros become the greatest regular season of all time, beating the Mariners and Cubs 116-win record with two games to play.



Kansas City Results

Two big dates for the Royals in September as they clinch the Wild Card on the 8th having beaten the Guardians on the 7th.

Their 21st all time, 13th of the Stewart reign, and 9th in a row AL Central pennant came on 10 September with an extra-inning victoty over the Twins at Kauffman Stadium,



Kansas City Statistics





Kansas City's Bobby Nickelberry had a productive September and topped it off by winning the Batter of the Month citation from the American League.

The 25-year-old right fielder stood out at the plate with a .297 batting average, 11 home runs, 21 RBIs and 24 runs scored.

Nickelberry is batting .284 this year with 38 home runs, 108 RBIs and 90 runs scored. He has 161 hits in 567 at-bats.



When Ben Lane takes the hill, he usually takes command of the game -- at least that's the way it was in September. The outcome was usually a Kansas City victory. His fine 4-0 performance earned him the American League Pitcher of the Month trophy.

The talented Royals hurler made 6 starts, worked 39 innings, permitted 31 base hits, and struck out 34 while putting up a 1.85 ERA.

On his stats sheet for the year Lane shows a 11-3 record, 24 starts, 143 innings, 145 strikeouts and a 2.58 ERA.

Transactions & Injuries

The extra call ups in September didn’t help the Royals as they suffered several injuries throughout September. Most of the players should be back for the playoffs but the big loss is Gilberto Matos, who tears his hamstring on 25 September and will miss the rest of the season.

Thursday, September 1st , 2044
Purchased the contract of 3B Chris Ambrose from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of RP Doug Campos from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of RP Naldo Lizcano from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of RP Nate Avis from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of LF Jorge Corujo from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of SP Julio Bonilla from Triple A Omaha.
Saturday, September 3rd , 2044
SP Joe Davis was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: sore elbow. This is a day-to-day injury expected to last 3-4 weeks.
Sunday, September 11th , 2044
Placed CF Chris Morrow on the active roster.
Sunday, September 18th , 2044
SP Greg Moehring was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: elbow inflammation. He's expected to miss about 2 weeks.
Monday, September 19th , 2044
3B Estanislau Covete was injured while running the bases. The diagnosis is not yet known.
Thursday, September 22nd , 2044
3B Estanislau Covete diagnosed with an intercostal strain, will miss 2 weeks.
Friday, September 23rd , 2044
RP Joe Manley was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: herniated disc (back). He's expected to miss about one week.
Sunday, September 25th , 2044
1B Gilberto Matos was injured while running the bases. The diagnosis is not yet known.
SP Curt Bogans was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: strained back. This is a day-to-day injury expected to last one week.
Monday, September 26th , 2044
1B Gilberto Matos diagnosed with a torn hamstring, will miss 6 weeks.

Minor League News

In the month of September Sergio Rulz thumped the ball with authority, earning International League Batter of the Month honors in the process.

Omaha's center fielder hit .364 with 8 home runs, 28 RBIs and scored 16 runs.

Thus far this year, Rulz has hit .277 with 21 home runs and 74 RBIs.

In September Omaha starter Mike Gaytan mystified International League hitters and carried off the Pitcher of the Month honors by chalking up a 4-0 record in 4 starts.

The 23-year-old Gaytan added 37 strikeouts in 28.1 innings and 9 walks to his season record and compiled a 1.91 ERA. Opposing batters hit .158 against him.

In 11 starts this year, Gaytan has posted 6 wins while suffering 1 loss. He has pitched 67 innings, allowed 56 hits, struck out 86 and has a 3.36 ERA.

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The Royals finish with the 2nd best record in the American League (and all of baseball) to clinch the bye into the Division Series.

They will play either the AL East Champions, the Boston Red Sox, or AL West Wild Card team the Detroit Tigers. It will be a second-ever postseason match up between whoever comes through the Wild Card Series, with the Royals beating Boston in the Division Series in 2032, while it would be a first match up since the Royals got swept 3-0 in the League Championship in 1984 if Detroit win.  

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It is the Boston Red Sox, winners of the AL East, who come through the Wildcard series to set up a rematch of the 2032 series, won in a deciding game by the Royals.

The Red Sox are a mix of old and young with 32-year old 3B Steve Shaffer leading their batting averages but followed by reigning AL Rookie of the Year Josh Mangan. It was a bigger case of experience when it came to power with 37-year old DH Mike Miller leading the club in HRs and RBIs. They are missing three everyday players with injury which has allowed some younger players to step up, notably 3rd ranked prospect CF Bobby Elliott. The Red Sox scored the 3rd most runs in the AL despite having no batting rankings that high – the sum being very much greater than the parts. They only have one LHP in the line up but did struggle more against LHP in 2044, with a .532 win rate against lefties, compared to 5.65 against right handed pitchers. The Royals have the flexibility to mix and match their starting rotation and may go LHP heavy.

The pitching side has been more injury bitten than the Royals, with Boston missing two Starting Pitchers and a key bullpen arm. However, they do have a strong top of the rotation with Joe Braun putting up a 3.14 ERA but the rest of their rotation is on the ‘overpaid veteran’ side of the scale. Former SP Dave Hilliker recorded 34 saves and a 3.38 ERA in the closer role with Banmei Kataoka will come up against his old team. Their rotation is all right handed but they do have three LHP in the bullpen.

The Royals won the regular season series 4-2, always a concern.

Game 1 in Kansas City: Greg Moehring vs Jonathan Aguirre (2031 4th Round)
• Boston wins 3-2
• Aguirre (W): 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R
• Moehring (L): 4.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R
• Dave Hilliker (SV): 2.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R
• 1-0 Boston

Game 2 in Kansas City: Ben Lane vs Sam Horowitz (2043 Free Agent)
• Kansas City wins 15-1
• Lane (W): 7.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R
• Horowitz (L): 5.2 IP, 9 H, 6 R
• Kansas City HRs: Chris Albright (6th, 2R), Estanislau Covete (8th, 2R), Zach Herr (8th)
• 1-1 Series Tied

Game 3 in Boston: Jeremy Ogens vs Joe Braun (2036 1st Round)
• Kansas City wins 9-5
• Ogens: 4.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R
• Braun (L): 6.0 IP, 3 H, 6 R
• Doug Campos (W): 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R
• Luis Danys Rhodes (SV): 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R
• Kansas City HRs: Albright (7th, GS)
• Boston HRs: Bobby Elliott (1st, 2R)
• 2-1 Kansas

Game 4 in Boston: Curt Bogans vs Kevin Gibson (2037 3rd Round)
• Kansas wins 15-4
• Bogan: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R INJ 3 days
• Gibson (L): 1.1 IP, 4 H, 7 R
• Juan Anaya (W): 4.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R
• Kansas City HRs: Chris Morrow (2nd), Covete (2nd, 2R), Edgar Mir (5th, 2R), Luis Aceves (5th)
• POTG: Chris Morrow (KC) 3-5, HR, 2RBI
• 3-1 KANSAS CITY WINS

Series MVP: Chris Albright (KC) 7-16, 2 HR, 8 RBI

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It will be a 4th consecutive AL League Championship Series between the Astros and the Royals as Houston comes through the Texas series with a game 5 4-0 shutout of the Rangers. The nemesis(es?) are lurking as the Dodgers take out the Brewers in their own game 5 to advance to the NLCS, where they will take on the last remaining Wildcard team, the Miami Marlins.

The Astros led the AL in runs scored and runs against and had the greatest regular season of all time, winning 118 games. Their batting line up features two former Royals in DH Mike Campney and LF Mike Thomas. They will be missing their third former Royal, 1B Juan Moreno, who is out for the next 7 weeks. The Mikes are both power bats, with Campney leading the team in HRs (33) and 3rd in RBIs (87), with Thomas 3rd in HRs (26) and 2nd in RBIs (88). 3B Nelson Aguirre has pushed Campney into the DH role this season and led the team with a .317 average, as well as RBIs with 96. With 4 switch hitters, they were inevitable against LHPs, going a ridiculous 33-8. That could see a change from the Royals with Ethan Chafin in line for a return to the starting line up.

The Astros pitching line up will be missing two of their top starters in Juan Silva and former Royals Juan Llamas, but unlike in 2043 will have 4-time Cy Young winner J.J. Tjepkema with a 1.83 ERA for the season. Behind Tjepkema is Jon Elfstrom with a 3.16 ERA, as well as reliever turned starter Mike Sunden who boasts a 2.55 ERA, and a 14-1 record in his combined starting and bullpen work. In the bullpen the Astros have two arms with an ERA under 2.00, closer Robbie Austin (47 saves) and setup man Arturo Castillo (12 saves). With three left handed starters, the Astros have a single LHP in the bullpen, but that is 6-time All Star Ismael Moreno.

The Astros won the regular season 4-3 and it will take the performances of a lifetime from the Royals to even get that close in most eyes.

Game 1 in Houston: Greg Moehring vs Jon Elfstrom (2040 Free Agent)
• Houston wins 11-1
• Elfstrom (W): 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R
• Moehring (L): 1.2 IP, 6 H, 6 R
• Dylan Cavanaugh (SV): 3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R
• Houston HRs: Nelson Aguirre (2nd, 2R), Mike Thomas (3rd), Wilfredo Terrazas (4th, 3R; 6th)
• Kansas City HRs: Edgar Mir (9th)
• Notes: Mike Campney HOU INJ (d2d MOD), Ernesto Soriano KC INJ (d2d MOD)
• POT: Wilfredo Terrazas (HOU) 2-4, 2 HRs, 5 RBI
• 1-0 Houston

Game 2 in Houston: Ben Lane vs Zach McLean (2041 1st Round)
• Kansas City win 4-0
• Lane (W): 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R
• McLean (L): 4.1 IP, 6 H, 1 R
• Kansas City HRs: Arturo Oramas (9th)
• POTG: Arturo Oramas (KC) 5-5, HR [ties AL Playoff Record – 5 hits]
• 1-1 Series Tied

Game 3 in Kansas City: Joe Davis vs J.J. Tjepkema (Free Agent 2042)
• Houston wins 12-1
• Tjepkema (W): 8.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R
• Davis (L): 2.2 IP, 4 H, 6 R
• Houston HRs: Abraham Mendoza (3rd), Hunter Chaulk (9th)
• 2-1 Houston


Game 4 in Kansas City: Ethan Chafin vs. Mike Sunden (2043 Trade WAS)
• Houston wins 3-2
• Sunden: 4.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R
• Chafin: 7.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R
• Bob Wagner (W): 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R
• Luis Danys Rhodes (L): 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R
• Robbie Austin (SV): 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R
• POTG: Ethan Chafin (KC) 7.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 4 KK, 94 PI
• 3-1 Houston

Game 5 in Kansas City: Moehring vs Elfstrom
• Kansas City wins 7-2
• Moehring (W): 5.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R
• Elfstrom (L): 5.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R
• Luis Danys Rhodes (SV): 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R
• Kansas City HRs: Estanislau Covete (4th, 2R), Chris Morrow (6th, 2R)
• 3-2 Houston

Game 6 in Houston: Lane vs McLean
• Houston wins 7-6
• McLean: 4.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R
• Lane: 5.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R
• Austin (W)(BS): 2.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R
• Rhodes (L): 1.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R
• Kansas City HRs: Bobby Nickelberry (1st), Arturo Oramas (5th)
• POTG: Luis Aceves (KC) 4-5, 2 RBI
• 4-2 HOUSTON WINS

Series MVP: Nelson Aguirre (HOU) 9-22, HR, 4 RBI


The Astros prove their quality with a comfortable 4-2 victory over the Royals. Games 4 and 6 were games the Royals will think they let get away with a Kansas City player POTG in defeat in both games and the result being a one-run game defeat. The offseason starts early for the Royals.