Sept. 8, 2015
Royals' new picks
By THS Media Kevin Losch
The Kansas City Royals made some huge moves after the “All-Star” break, and these two players could help the team push on to postseason and eventually towards a World Series bid.
Kansas City made some big moves that were unexpected of the team to make. Just a few years back the Royals were only thought of as a farm team who would amount to nearly nothing.
That was quickly changed with the results of last year when the Royals went (89-73), which landed them in the “American League Wildcard” game. From there the Royals showed their colors and continued on the way to the World Series. They would eventually fall to the San Francisco Giants in Game 7.
This year Kansas City is coming back with the same force they had last year, maybe even stronger.The Royals as they stand are (77-49) with the closest contender the Minnesota Twins 12.5 games back.
The Royals made some big moves after the “break”, picking up the right-hander Johnny Cueto from the Cincinnati Reds, and outfielder/infielder Ben Zobrist from the Oakland A’s.
Johnny Cueto, otherwise known as “Johnny Beisbol” was a stellar pitcher in the time that he was with the Reds. He has a career record of (94-66), with a 3.23 ERA. Cueto has earned numerous awards such as the “Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award” in 2014, and the “Reds Ernie Lombardi MVP Award” in 2014. He was also a Cy Young runner up in 2014. He could provide the kind of pitching the Royals need to continue their journey for another World Series bid. He has a dominating cut fastball that averages 93 to 95 but he can hit up to 97 in some cases. His slider is poised to go low to force a hitter to only have the option of popping out or striking out. With this arsenal Cueto is predetermined to be a success.
“Cueto will be a key pitcher in the playoffs. He definitely has the potential to become the Royals ace,” senior Brayden Jensen said.
Ben Zobrist had a high regard coming from Oakland. He had came from Oakland after spending a short time with them, after he came from the Tampa Bay Rays. He was first drafted by the Houston Astros, but was traded to the Rays in 2006. In his career, he has .432 batting average and 577 R.B.I.’s. He has received the award of the “American League MVP” three times in his career. Once in 2009, the second in 2011, and the third was in 2012. He is known as a great utility player coming from Oakland. He plays second base, as well as the outfield. He may provide the Royals with a good trade in the future, because of his abilities, give the Royals a chance to trade Alex Rios for a high potential prospect.
“Zobrist is a better hitter than Rios; he might not have the speed of Rios but his fielding fundamentals are better all around,” senior Dustin Joiner said.
With these new pickups the Royals are headed toward a better future.
"We gained experience and it will definitely increase our value, " senior Nolan Brooks said.
Not only does this mean better chances for a World Series, it means that they are finally being taken as a serious team with high opportunities. When the Royals used to be thought as a small town farm team. This has thus been proven in the past two years. With this new performance the Royals can expect to bring in high valued prospects and bring more championships to this town that has been searching for one for many years.
Kansas City made some big moves that were unexpected of the team to make. Just a few years back the Royals were only thought of as a farm team who would amount to nearly nothing.
That was quickly changed with the results of last year when the Royals went (89-73), which landed them in the “American League Wildcard” game. From there the Royals showed their colors and continued on the way to the World Series. They would eventually fall to the San Francisco Giants in Game 7.
This year Kansas City is coming back with the same force they had last year, maybe even stronger.The Royals as they stand are (77-49) with the closest contender the Minnesota Twins 12.5 games back.
The Royals made some big moves after the “break”, picking up the right-hander Johnny Cueto from the Cincinnati Reds, and outfielder/infielder Ben Zobrist from the Oakland A’s.
Johnny Cueto, otherwise known as “Johnny Beisbol” was a stellar pitcher in the time that he was with the Reds. He has a career record of (94-66), with a 3.23 ERA. Cueto has earned numerous awards such as the “Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award” in 2014, and the “Reds Ernie Lombardi MVP Award” in 2014. He was also a Cy Young runner up in 2014. He could provide the kind of pitching the Royals need to continue their journey for another World Series bid. He has a dominating cut fastball that averages 93 to 95 but he can hit up to 97 in some cases. His slider is poised to go low to force a hitter to only have the option of popping out or striking out. With this arsenal Cueto is predetermined to be a success.
“Cueto will be a key pitcher in the playoffs. He definitely has the potential to become the Royals ace,” senior Brayden Jensen said.
Ben Zobrist had a high regard coming from Oakland. He had came from Oakland after spending a short time with them, after he came from the Tampa Bay Rays. He was first drafted by the Houston Astros, but was traded to the Rays in 2006. In his career, he has .432 batting average and 577 R.B.I.’s. He has received the award of the “American League MVP” three times in his career. Once in 2009, the second in 2011, and the third was in 2012. He is known as a great utility player coming from Oakland. He plays second base, as well as the outfield. He may provide the Royals with a good trade in the future, because of his abilities, give the Royals a chance to trade Alex Rios for a high potential prospect.
“Zobrist is a better hitter than Rios; he might not have the speed of Rios but his fielding fundamentals are better all around,” senior Dustin Joiner said.
With these new pickups the Royals are headed toward a better future.
"We gained experience and it will definitely increase our value, " senior Nolan Brooks said.
Not only does this mean better chances for a World Series, it means that they are finally being taken as a serious team with high opportunities. When the Royals used to be thought as a small town farm team. This has thus been proven in the past two years. With this new performance the Royals can expect to bring in high valued prospects and bring more championships to this town that has been searching for one for many years.