MARCH 6, 2023•MLB.COM
Gordon gets a surprise as KC honors Minor LeaguersSURPRISE, Ariz. -- For about an hour Monday morning, the Royals’ batting cage at their Spring Training complex was transformed into a stage...
The importance of Austin Slater to the 2023 GiantsSlater may not be the Giants' most valuable player, but he is in the conversation for most irreplaceable.
MARCH 6, 2023•THEATHLETIC.COM
Nick Pratto - Finding groovePratto has gone 5-for-12 across five Cactus League games.
ImpactPratto started off a little slowly, but he posted four hits over the last two games, including his second double of the spring in Sunday's contest against the Giants. Pratto needs a strong spring to begin the year in the majors -- he was surpassed by Vinnie Pasquantino on the depth chart at first base a year ago, and it's expected catchers MJ Melendez and Salvador Perez will share the bulk of the time at designated hitter when they're not behind the dish. Pratto slashed just .184/.271/.386 with seven home runs, nine doubles and 20 RBI across 182 plate appearances as a rookie last season.
MARCH 6, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Stolen base risers: MJ Melendez, Ian Happ and more beneficiaries of MLB's new rulesMichael Salfino identifies five hitters who, thanks to the new MLB rule changes, could see a sneaky uptick in stolen bases.
MARCH 6, 2023•THEATHLETIC.COM
Revamped swing has Dozier 'not looking for answers anymore'SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The ball Hunter Dozier hit on Friday afternoon might have never landed if Hohokam Stadium’s batter’s eye wasn’t in the...
MARCH 5, 2023•MLB.COM
Jonathan Heasley - Not making strong case yetHeasley has allowed seven earned runs across four innings through two Cactus League appearances.
ImpactHeasley isn't exactly making a great case to be in the Royals' rotation to begin 2023. He struggled last year as well, logging a 5.28 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 70:47 K:BB across 104 innings over 21 starts. Without significant improvement in spring games, he could be sent to Triple-A Omaha or work out of the Royals' bullpen to start the campaign.
MARCH 5, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Luis González - Aiming for Opening DayGonzalez (back) said Sunday that he believes he can be ready for Opening Day, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
ImpactGonzalez struggled with back injuries last season and was diagnosed with a lower-back strain shortly after arriving to Giants camp this spring, but he's making steady progress now. Nonetheless, Slusser guesses that the 27-year-old outfielder will not be part of the active roster out of camp because of all the time lost. He'll presumably spend at least a couple of weeks rehabbing at Triple-A Sacramento.
MARCH 5, 2023•ROTOWIRE
