SB Nation • 8 min read

Kansas City Royals news: Salvy and Vinnie are 30/100 hitters

Jaylon Thompson writes that Tyler Tolbert wants to be known as more than just a speed guy.

When Tolbert gets in the game, his agenda is to steal a base. Entering Wednesday, Tolbert had recorded 20 steals

in 22 attempts. The proficiency has landed him a key bench role, but Tolbert wants to be known as more than a “speed guy.”

“I’ve been a speed guy my whole life,” Tolbert said. “There is only one thing I need to do and that’s just play my game. Just be me. You know, whatever box people want to put me in, that’s their opinion. But at the end of the day, (I) just go out there and play my game.”

Stephen Kolek ended his season strong in Anaheim.

“He should have a lot of confidence,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “I think that’s five really good starts for him. It’s been great to get him up here.

“You know, any time somebody comes up, it’s unfortunate in a way because in most cases, it’s injury based. But at the same time, he took advantage of his opportunity and did a great job. There is a lot to like with what we saw with him.”

Anne Rogers writes that Salvador Perez and Vinnie Pasquantino are the first Royals teammates to hit 30 home runs and drive in 100 runs.

I think we both wish we would have done more,” Pasquantino said. “When you look at the numbers on paper, you’re happy about them, but I felt like there was more out there that we could have gotten, and we didn’t this year, which sucks. Numbers-wise, it’s pretty cool.

“But I think both of us will be pretty honest about how we feel like we could have done some more things.”

David Lesky thinks that Salvy getting spelled by Carter Jensen may benefit him.

Speaking of things that aren’t a surprise, does anyone think it’s a coincidence that Perez had a terrible August when he was catching almost every day and then as soon as some help came up in September, he got going again? He hit .337/.379/.719 in July, .186/.239/.382 in August and is now hitting .241/.292/.530 in September with more RBI than any other month this year. Carter Jensen went 0 for 4 in this one, though he did get robbed two more times, but his presence alone makes Perez better. I still think it would be nice if Perez was in more of a complementary role, but the guy can still do a lot of damage, especially with some rest.

Michael Baumann at Fangraphs reflects on mid-season trades and finds the Royals nailed it.

But I was mildly surprised to learn that the Royals were massive winners in this year’s midseason trade market. Kolek has generated a full win in just four starts, which I can’t get my head around given his modest strikeout rate. The third guy in the Fermin trade, Ryan Bergert, has also been decent in his eight starts. Yastrzemski has hit well, and even Adam Frazier, whose acquisition I mocked two months ago, is hitting .281 since his return to Kansas City.

The Red Sox clinch their first playoff spot since 2021 on a walk-off triple.

Pete Crow-Armstrong joins the 30/30 club, making it an MLB record six players to reach that mark this year.

The Reds top the Brewers and now control their own Wild Card fate.

Do the Mariners have the momentum to win it all?

The Tigers are in must-win mode.

Toronto’s José Berríos lands on the Injured List.

What’s at stake in the final weekend of the season?

Are 60 home runs enough for Cal Raleigh to win MVP?

The Braves claim pitcher Alek Manoah off waivers.

Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge top jersey sales.

MLB will broadcast Mariners games next year, as the team shuts down ROOT Sports Network.

Europe takes a Day 1 lead over the US in the Ryder Cup.