Jaylon Thompson writes about J.J. Picollo trading Lane Thomas to the Braves for Lucas Braun and Carter Holton.
“Given our situation,” Picollo said, “we have to figure out ways to acquire players, pitchers, starting pitchers that can help us in the near future.
“Lucas has had some experience in Triple-A this year and that’s where we plan on sending him. I think what really stands out with him is the command and the pitch ability. He seems to be moving in the right direction and clearly a valued guy
in their organization.”
Dave Andrews at FanGraphs writes about what the Royals received.
The Braves took Braun out of Cal State Northridge in the sixth round of the 2023 draft. He’s put up great numbers across the minors. Eric Longenhagen ranked him 10th in the system last year as a 45-FV prospect, seeing him as a future fourth or fifth starter. However, Brendan Gawlowski noted Braun’s lack of a putaway pitch and ranked him 22nd this year as a 40 FV – lower than Holton – despite a long list of positive attributes: great athleticism, a robust arsenal, the ability to hit the strike zone, success in the minors, and the funky delivery I mentioned earlier. “Deception is key here as well,” Brendan wrote, “both modern (a slightly low release) and old school (glove throw, a little hesitation toward the top that can mess with timing). All of those factors are going to be important to maintain because Braun’s stuff is just okay.”
Manny Randwaha writes about the Royals getting swept going into the trade deadline.
“It’s exceptionally frustrating,” manager Matt Quatraro said after his team was swept. “[But] nothing changes regardless of what time of year it is, or who’s playing in the games, any of that kind of stuff. This series didn’t go the way you want. … But we’ll get back after it on Tuesday.”
Luinder Avila lands on the Injured List with right forearm tightness.
In total, the Royals have 14 players currently on the shelf.
“I mean, it’s challenging,” Quatraro said. “But, the thing about this game is that there’s going to be a game the next day. There’s going to be a game when his start date comes around. So we have to do our best to figure out who to plug in there and keep moving forward and try to compete.”
The Royals got Kyle Isbel back from injury.
“I was really just happy to be playing again,” Isbel said. “Honestly, that was the biggest thing. A lot of work leading into that, and I was happy to be back on the field.”
Isbel will have some custom insoles in his cleats. However, he is ready to go full throttle once his number is called.
The Royals aren’t likely to trade their veteran pitchers, according to Bob Nightengale.
The Kansas City Royals have received a ton of interest in starters Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo, but they rebuffed all offers, believing they need them to compete next year.
Preston Farr at EightOneSix argues the Royals should be buyers to maximize their window with Bobby Witt Jr.
All of this is to say: hugging prospects is not a strategy that the Royals can use if they want to capitalize on four years of Bobby Witt Jr. It’s not a strategy they can use if they want to turn four more years of Bobby Witt Jr. into five, or six, or seven, or ten even. Witt is the type of player you make a career Royal, and instead the Royals are on the same path they were with Carlos Beltrán and Zack Greinke.
George Kirby has a 3.31 FIP in five big league seasons. He’s amassed 15.7 fWAR before his age-29 season. His command is exceptional, and there’s truly ace upside as he enters his prime. He’s exactly the type of known commodity that you should want to acquire for a prospect like Chourio.
At the end of the day, it still comes down to perspective. Do you think the Royals can contend in the next two years? Do you think their window opens in 2029 and beyond when someone like Chourio could be reaching the big leagues? On the surface, this should seem to matter when it comes to trades. However, neither of these things is true until they are.
Baseball America highlights top pitching prospects in July, including Kendry Chourio.
The Dodgers acquire Tarik Skubal from the Tigers.
Luis Garcia Jr. goes from the Nationals to the Yankees for four prospects.
The Mets trade Freddy Peralta to the Rays.
Atlanta acquires Tyler Mahle from the Giants.
The Cubs acquire Kevin Gausman from the Blue Jays, and send Jameson Taillon to Toronto.
Astros owner Jim Crane reportedly nixes a trade for Twins outfielder Trevor Larnach.
The Padres reject a proposed swap of Adrian Morejon to the Yankees for Will Warren.
The Dodgers may be done adding to their roster after adding Skubal.
Andrew Friedman does not think the Dodgers are ruining baseball.
Why didn’t anyone top the Dodgers’ offer for Skubal?
Houston is interested in Marlins outfielder Kyle Stowers.
Who are the best starting pitchers left available?
The Guardians get upset at Arizona’s Tim Tawa for attempting a bunt single during a perfect game.
So what exactly happened with Kyle Shanahan’s car accident?
FIFA head Gianni Infantino is on thin ice after UEFA blasts him for his proposed sell off to private investors.
Why flights are so expensive and are likely to stay that way.
A New York school district reconsiders a decision to use a humanlike robot teacher.
Monkeys sometimes have pets just like humans.
Your song of the day is World Party with When You Come Back To Me.
