Jaylon Thompson writes about how the Royals can aggressively upgrade their bullpen.
The Royals still must try to be prudent in fixing their relief unit. And there are big names set to become available after the World Series.
All-Star left-hander Adrian Morejon is one of the best available free agents. Morejon, 28, formed a top-tier duo alongside Mason Miller with the San Diego Padres. He posted a sub-3.00 ERA his last three campaigns as a setup guy.
Another top option is David Bednar. The two-time All-Star
posted 35 saves with the New York Yankees and registered a 2.47 ERA with 76 strikeouts in 69 and 1/3 innings.
If the Royals are serious about revamping their bullpen, both pitchers have the ability to significantly bolster the entire unit. “We plan to be aggressive in acquisition,” Picollo said. “I don’t want that to be mistaken for aggressive in payroll.”
Corbin Young at Fangraphs looks at some breakout seasons from hitters, such as Carter Jensen.
In Jensen’s tiny 2025 rookie sample of 69 plate appearances, he teased us with a 14.5% barrel rate per plate appearance and the 6th-highest (105.7 mph) Exit Velocity 50 (EV50) among hitters with 25 batted ball events in 2025. Jensen’s continued to hit the ball hard for barrels (46). That led to a 7.6% barrel rate per plate appearance. Though Jensen’s EV50 fell to 102.1 mph (No. 43), he crushes the ball when he hits it.
Jensen’s underlying exit velocity data supports his home run boost, as a hitter who pulls the ball into the air. For context, Jensen had a 23.1% pulled air rate this season, a couple of points above his career average. If Jensen maintains consistent playing time and power, it’s hard to avoid being excited about him in 2027.
Prospect blogger Tobey Schulman names his Royals all-minor league team.
A 17th round pick in the 2025 draft, Luke Pelzer was another breakout name in the Royals organization. He’d steal the second most amount of bases behind Angeibel Gomez, and finish top-five in the organization with his .337 batting average.
Pelzer would play the majority of his season in High-A, where he stole 28 bases while only getting caught stealing four times. Upon a Double-A promotion, he’d continue to hit for average while limiting strikeouts effectively.
He’s yet another example of a bat that limits whiff very well. It seems like a common trend with the top hitters in this system, especially the breakout ones from the 2025 class.
Philip Ruo at Royals Keep grades Royals outfielders and designated hitters.
A Royals ballpark is just part of downtown’s changing landscape.
Guardians pitchers strike out 21 White Sox hitters to send the team to the ALCS.
How Cleveland’s Travis Bazzana turned his season around.
Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan is out for the remainder of the postseason.
Offense is at a record low in these playoffs so far.
Max Muncy is not scared of the haunted hotel in Milwaukee.
Where do the Yankees go after another disappointing ending?
Could the Yankees part ways with Giancarlo Stanton?
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has laser eye surgery.
Phillies exec Sam Fuld turns down an offer to run the Athletics.
Did the Orioles extend the right pitchers?
The Rockies had their worst attendance in over 20 years.
Oklahoma stuns #1 Texas in the Red River Rivalry.
The Arizona Cardinals trade Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Houston Texans.
Girl bands from southeast Asia are rising in popularity.
Retailers are trimming their assortment of products.
Remembering all the fake shows and movies from 30 Rock.
Your song of the day is Greg Freeman with Indu.
