Royals Rumblings - News for January 16, 2025

Were you part of the Royals international amateur class?

Cole Ragans joined MLB Network Radio to discuss his offseason throwing program:

Baseball America has a scouting report on Kansas City’s international amateur class ($):

Dominican shortstop Ramcell Medina, signing for $950,000, has been an up-arrow player. Early on, Medina looked like he might end up a power-hitting third baseman, but he has grown taller, stayed lean and continues to impress at the plate. With an athletic, well-proportioned build (6-foot-2, 180 pounds), Medina regularly strings together quality at-bats with a knack for being on time. He has good feel for the barrel, hits hard line drives all over the field and flashes home run power to his pull side with what should be significantly more home run juice on the way once he fills out. Medina’s improved defensive actions and athleticism give him a better chance now to handle shortstop, where he has an above-average arm.

They are also mentioned as having one of the more exciting classes of the cycle ($):

The Royals have a promising group of players trending in the right direction. Warren Calcaño from the Dominican Republic is a true shortstop who defends his position well and makes contact at a high clip from both sides of the plate. Dominican shortstop Ramcell Medina has shown a mix of hitting ability and power potential while growing taller, staying lean and improving both his chance to stick at shortstop and physical projection over the past couple years.

Behind the plate, the Royals have Moises Marchan, one of the top catchers for 2025 with skills that stand out both offensively and defensively. On the mound, Venezuelan righthander Kendry Chourio could be a riser with a fastball up to 96 mph and a pair of secondary pitches that could help him pile up whiffs.

Northwest Arkansas had one of the most popular minor league hats of 2024:

Last offseason, Northwest Arkansas’ branding got a refresh, but remained all Natural. This home hat features a strong yellow crown with a rich purplish-navy bill and eyelets. The Royals’ Double-A club was going for a vibrant look with the new logo, which features a river, woods and mountains that can be found in the state. A star in the northwest corner of the logo ties it all together. “I think it’s a good encapsulation [of Northwest Arkansas]. There are a few state parks around us, Devil’s Den is probably the most well-known in the region. I think they drew some inspiration from that,” Justin Cole, the club’s vice president and GM, said following the unveil.

Time for your offseason Royals roundup, starting in Puerto Rico, where Nelson Velázquez and Criollos de Caguas just saw their season end at the hands of Indios de Mayagüez. Velázquez tried to carry the team, going 6-17 with four homers, a double, and two walks over the past week. His .385/.448/1.115 batting line was far and away the best of any hitter in the series.

Going down under now to ABL:

• Hyungchan Um made three starts at catcher and one as the DH this week, going 4-16 with a double. He has hit .284/.333/.528 in 139 plate appearances.
• Brennon McNair started three games as the DH and one in left field, going 2-14 with a double and three walks. He is batting .254/.361/.574 in 145 plate appearances.

Brisbane Bandits will play their last series of the regular season this weekend. They are last in the league at 15-22 but could make the postseason if they win out over Canberra Cavalry and they get some help elsewhere.

Jacob Ogden at Farm to Fountains looks at five Royals that analytics indicate could be poised for a big 2025.

ESPN has released their 2025 early-season schedule for Sunday Night Baseball. The Royals are one of 17 teams not currently slated to make an appearance, though there will be 12 other Sunday night games with matchups yet to be announced.

With how hot the market for free agent pitchers has been, why does Jack Flaherty remain unsigned?

Roki Sasaki’s life has been shaped by disaster. ($)

Bryce Harper has been ramping up his social media presence just in time for the platform that he is using to go dark in the US.

The A’s signed Japanese two-way player Shotaro Morii to a record-setting amateur free agent deal.

The Washington Nationals signed old friend Franchy Cordero to a minor league deal.

The preseason college baseball Top 25 is out, with Texas A&M at #1 and the defending National Champions Tennessee at #4.

Look back on last year’s Chiefs-Dolphins playoff game, which was the fourth-coldest game in NFL history.

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s sideline reporter was unfazed after being covered in towels during a postgame interview.

At the Australian Open, Naomi Osaka won her match yesterday to reach the third round of a major for the first time since 2022.

DJI drones will now be able to fly over previously restricted areas, including airports and military installations.

CEOs continue to be hopelessly out of touch, with one claiming that people do not enjoy making music. Another saw his mansion burn down in the Pacific Palisades fire days after putting out a tweet saying he would pay any amount for private firefighters to come protect his home.

With the ban on TikTok looming, Americans seeking short-form video content are flocking to RedNote.

Your song of the day is Carry You by Martin Garrix & Third Party, with Oaks & Declan J. Donovan.