R.N. Spring Training Trip 2008

[KC Royals Nation]

Finally, the (almost) annual R.N. Spring Training venture has almost arrived. I will leave on the morning of Thursday, March 13 with fellow R.N. members and Royals message board contributors lelandinkc and RoyalLoyal for sunnier, warmer pastures - Arizona. I've been looking forward to the journey not for my own personal experience but to provide you with valuable insider information from gurus such as myself (totally kidding).

We will attend three Spring Training games, all at Surprise: 3/13 vs. LAA, 3/14 vs. TEX, and 3/16 vs. SF. In addition, I plan on attending Minor League games on 3/14 (A game) and 3/16 (AA and AAA games).

It's doubtful I will be able to blog directly from the game. I will nonetheless be available on RN intermittently throughout the entire trip. However, I will do my best to send game updates in each of the individual game threads via cell phone.

I promise to bring huge pictures, game analyses, scouting analyses, and whatever else I find. Also, I'll post on non-baseball related events, sort of like a MySpace blog without all the overblown emotional drama. Also, I am confident I will be able to provide at least two podcasts live from our room. For those who do not know the sound of my voice, you'll probably be able to differentiate mine from my older-sounding colleagues. The podcasts will probably just be general, but centralized, chatter - anywhere between 5-20 minutes. We'll focus on the games and give our opinions on certain players. I'll post the broadcasts in its own forum here in Spring Training 2008.

If anyone has any suggestions, let me know. I'll probably post my entire trip in one thread: this thread, and comments are (obviously) welcome. I also might post (separate) thoughts over in the game threads.

[KC Royals Nation]

On Saturday, I plan on riding a hot air balloon. It's supposed to be a secret, but I have my ways of finding out. I'll try to provide pictures, but I have a fear of heights, so I'm not sure how this is going to work out....

In addition to the obvious baseball excitement, we plan on eating some authentic Mexican cuisine, renting one or two sports movies, and (in my case, at least) finding an arcade to relive our youthful glory. (Area 51 tournaments, anyone?)

Arizona-ites reading this website, let me know if you have any suggestions for anything to do in the Phoenix-area.

[KC Royals Nation]

I hope everyone doesn't mind if this thread essentially becomes an open one for myself.

I leave tomorrow in the early morning....can't wait.

[ror1fan]

Nope have fun buddy.

[KC Royals Nation]

As some of you know, we arrived this morning in Phoenix, and then traveled directly the game before settling into our (incredibly fancy) hotel.

Here are some photographs of Thursday's game against the Angels. It was an eventual victory, and I'll have a complete summary up here before you know it.


The back of the scoreboard in Surprise.


A closer-up back of the scoreboard, with my father, uncle, and cousin at the front.


The lawn seats on the left field side.


The Royals take the field before the first inning, and Jorge De La Rosa takes his warmup pitches.


De La Rosa in the first inning.


Gary Matthews, Jr. takes a called strike.


Matthews swings and fouls one off.


Billy Butler hits in the first inning.


De La Rosa in the second inning.


"The Big Three" - Manager Trey Hillman, pitching coach Bob McClure, and hitting coach Mike Barnett - aside the Royals' third base dugout.


Torii Hunter in the third inning.


Hunter swings and fouls one off (my batter-shots almost never resulted in a ball-in-play).


Billy Butler takes a ball from Joe Saunders in the fourth inning.


Damon Hollins gets ready to cut in the Royals' half of the fourth.


Gload Will Explode!


Ross Gload in the left field scoreboard.


The Royals' Minor League clubhouse entrance.


Batting cages and bullpens - complete with equipment such as tees, pitching machines, and more. First class!


Mark Teahen, Joey Gathright, and Damon Hollins stand in the Royals' outfield.


The Royals' bullpen warehouse? Nets and other equipment.....


Field maintenance equipment.


Niiiice truck.


Brian Lawrence struggles in the fifth inning.


One of three main entrances (on the left field side).


Brian Lawrence in the fifth.


Brian Bannister, Brian Poldberg, Matt Tupman and others stare from the Royals' bullpen.


King Alex takes a ball.


King Alex ready to trigger, aim, fire.


Damon Hollins before his third PA. He would eventually homer.


Mark Teahen scores on a Damon Hollins two-run shot.


Hollins' HR.


Hollins touches home.


John Buck ready to cut.


A Justin Huber sighting! Like a Lochness Monster or a four-leaf clover.


Mike Maroth takes his warmups before the seventh inning.


Maroth with his first pitch of the inning.


Maroth's fifth pitch.


Joel Peralta warms up for the 9th inning save.


Peralta and warmups.


Frank White taking pictures & autographs after the game.


Trey Hillman doing Q&A with several reporters after the game. I recognize the guy in the white hat (wish I was there).


Frank White smiling at onlookers and fielding autographs.


White talking with some folks.


Manager Trey Hillman - intense stare and all - posing with my cousin Nathan.


My Uncle Mike and Cousin Nathan in front of the Royals' MiLB clubhouse.


That's me in front of the Royals' clubhouse.


Me and my father, lelandinkc.


"Gang of Four" - father, uncle, cousin, and myself.

[KC Royals Nation]

OK, for my summary, I'm just going to copy and paste what I have written over at Royals Review. It's long-winded and detailed - so feel free to skim some parts if you must.

Considering the amount of Spring Training fans, like myself, blogging directly about their experiences in Surprise, I am determined to hop on the bandwagon of this blogging experience. This entry will mark the first of three Spring Training segments that I will provide here at Royals Review. However one wishes to describe it, today seemed to take place over several stratospheres. I arose at roughly 6am (Central Standard Time) only to catch a plane to the southwest, rewind the clocks two hours, and begin my day anew in beautiful Surprise, Arizona. That's right - the February and March home of our beloved Royals.

My father, uncle, cousin, and I met at the Phoenix airport, rented a beautiful BMW, and drove directly to the Surprise Stadium.

The first game we attended was the Thursday, March 13 contest between the Royals and the Los Angeles Angels, which would eventually, as we all know, conclude in a glorious comeback 6-5 victory for our Boys in Blue. Although I walked around the ballpark for roughly one and a half innings, I thought I would share my experiences at the ballpark, from a "scouting" and "non-scouting" angle. Keep in mind that these are merely notes, and this isn't necessarily meant to be interpreted as formal writing. Also, because of meaningless of statistics in one game - let alone in Spring Training - these opinions should be interpreted as a grain of salt.

- After cruising nicely through the first two innings unscathed, starter Jorge De La Rosa struggled mightily through the second inning. Although he was consistently hitting 92-94 with his fastball with a 10-12 mph. difference on his changeup and 12-14 mph. difference on his fastball, he appeared to be tipping his pitches, changing his arm motion and velocity noticeably on off-speed pitches. My uncle noted that he landed in different spots on the mound, and I added that he was not repeating his mechanics for different situations (runners on base, types of pitches thrown, etc.) He fell behind many hitters, going 3-0 on at least three, and left many first pitches over the sweet spot of the plate, such as the solo home run and double he allowed. Although he allowed a respectable four hits and two runs in four innings, he could have exited with a much worse line. In the third inning, third baseman Alex Gordon saved him by converting a nifty 6-3 double play. Overall, the same old Jekyll De La Hyde manifested himself on Thursday, and after the game, we concluded that, a) he had not improved considerably from last season, b) he still possessed good stuff but had very little idea how to harness it, and c) probably was not a frontrunner to make an 11 or 12 man pitching staff. At age 26, De La Rosa's career as a starting pitcher might be on the line, although, in my opinion, given his peripherals against lefties, he should still be considered for a 'LOOGY' role.

- Despite a leadoff bunt attempt on the first pitch, Joey Gathright continued to work pitchers deep into counts. Despite going 0-for-4, he drew one walk (on four pitches) and drove in a run.

- Mario Lisson appears awkward at the plate and in the field. Although physically he appears remarkably athletic, his hand/eye coordination and rhythm need improvement. Before this spring, I have not watched him play, so interpret this opinion with a grain of salt.

- Damon Hollins, inexplicably, continues to rake. He hit a 2-RBI double in the second inning against Angels lefty starter Joe Saunders, and hit a towering two out home run on a Scot Shields fastball in the 6th inning. My uncle and father still strongly emphasized that he would not make the 25-man cut as a fourth outfielder. However, given a possibly looming Esteban German trade, Justin Huber release, Mark Grudzielanek injury, or Jose Guillen suspension, I'm considering Hollins as a strong possibility, especially with the amount of playing time he has received this spring, let alone hitting ahead of Mark Teahen, John Buck, and organizational darling Ross Gload in the starting lineup.

- Alex Gordon will provide Gold Glove-caliber defense for many years to come at third base. I use the term "Gold Glove-caliber" because we all know that Gold Gloves favor popular players who are superb offensively. As mentioned above, he converted a nifty double play by scooping up a ball, tagging third base (which was about 3 feet behind him) and throwing to first, barely edging out the runner in time. Gordon covered and converted plays from ground which appeared to be well into shortstop territory. Gordon needs to begin working the counts, hitting lefties better, and hitting inside pitches better, and hopefully he will become the hitter we know he can be at the plate. In essence, we hope he becomes the next George Brett. Gordon only drew two plate appearances today, exercising some much-needed plate discipline by walking in the second inning.

- John Buck looks much improved at the plate. He implemented a leg kick and drilled a single and double.

- Brian Lawrence could become the 2008 version of Wayne Franklin - a once-serviceable, even above average, starting pitcher whose stuff has declined to the point of mere AAA fodder. Lawrence was throwing in the mid-to-upper 80's in innings five through seven. To his credit, he generally kept the ball down past the fifth inning, but he was crushed in his first appearance, giving up three hits. Fastball 86-87 and offspeed 76-80. Not nearly enough of a speed/off-speed difference to be effective in any Major League role.

- Despite allowing a towering home run to a Halos' AAA player in Terry Evans, Mike Maroth settled down to show moxie on the mound in retiring the next three batters in order. Fastball 87-89, change-up 74-76, curveball 75-77. Mixed speeds well; nice difference in pitches; solid, repeated mechanics which made him serviceable in Detroit.

- Joel Peralta looked spectacular in the ninth, throwing his typical 91-93 mph. fastball, and using a dandy breaking ball to strike out two batters. Although he does have one option left, he should make the big-league roster and provide a similar role to last season - a 6th or 7th inning middle reliever capable of pitching effectively for multiple innings.

- Mike Aviles showed a decent approach at the plate and fielded his only ground ball attempt cleanly and smoothly. No hitches in his mechanics, good enough footwork, and a solid throw. No real complaints, but then again, it was only one play.

- Billy Butler disappointed this afternoon from the offensive angle. He grounded into a tailor-made double play, shuffling ever so slowly to first base along the way. He also appeared to swing out in front of several off-speed pitches. It was generally not the same well-disciplined, quick-mechanical Billy Butler we've grown accustomed two in his 3+ years in the organization. Chalk it up to simply one of those days for Billy B.

- On a brighter note (in my opinion), Hillman offered hope of possible change in the shortstop position by starting Alberto Callaspo there this afternoon! I didn't get much of a chance to observe Callaspo offensively (other than notice his crowded stance), but he converted a 6-3 double play.

Highlights of the day included taking a picture of my 9-year old cousin posing with Royals manager Trey Hillman, almost getting Frank White's autograph, and taking roughly 50 pictures of in-game and out-of-game action throughout the ballpark. I have supplied the Royals faithful with the pictures below.
For future reference, I would love to someday partake in a Royals Review gathering at Surprise Stadium, or meet up before the games for a little Minor League scouting or ice cream (yes, ice cream).

Here's what I have on schedule for Friday:

- Arrive at the ballpark around 9:30am, watch the Minor Leaguers take bullpen and batting practice,
- Catch several Minor League and Major League Royals autographs before the game,
- Watch about the first hour of the AAA Minor League game before watching the Major League game,
- Playing catch and 'Hotbox' with my father, uncle, and cousin after the game
- Authentic Mexican cuisine

So.....More to come tomorrow.

[mdinaz]

Great report. We'll be up there on Saturday to visit the Renaissance Festival then hit the game on Sunday before driving home to southern AZ. I still have a house in the Phx area but it's empty so we may stay at a hotel, not sure where yet. We'll track you down then and see what you are up to.

[KC Royals Nation]

At the Minor League complex, southeast field. Nick Van Stratten in right field.


Some Royals outfielders shagging fly balls.


Around the horn infield practices. Clint Robinson, Brett Amyx, Mike Moustakas, among many likely Bees players in the Royals infield.


Justin Huber stands alone in this miserable, dark world.


I believe those are Royals pitchers shagging fly balls. Which pitchers? I couldn't tell.


Mitch Hodge, Dan Duffy, Burke Baldwin, among many other Minor Leaguers.


Moustakas looked surprisingly bulky.


Greg Atencio, Nate Hoelscher, Dusty Hughes....


Ben Hendrickson, Nate Hoelscher, Devon Lowery witnessing some infield/rundown drills.


Some Royals coaches watching the fielding drills.


Team meeting at the center.


Royals concession stand.


Royals players walk back to the dugout after the meeting.


Blue Rocks outfielder Derrick Robinson taking his cuts.


Derrick Robinson.


Joe Dickerson.


Brett Bigler (I believe).


Derrick Robinson hitting right handed.


Finally, the dummies I have seen on ESPN pics on several occasion! Which catcher that is, I'm not sure.


Northeast field - don't remember who this is.


Wilson Tucker.


Wilson Tucker.


Tucker.


O.D. Gonzalez


Surprise scoreboard.


Grounds crew.


Grounds crew at wide angle.


Beautiful complex - best in Arizona from what I've seen.


Left field angle.


Royals MiLB clubhouse.


Trey Hillman walks alone toward the Royals dugout - the first Royal to appear from the bullpen.


Brett Tomko warming up in the Royals 'pen. Rumor has it that George Brett was warming up with his son, Jackson, before the game.


Alex Gordon and a couple coaches packing up items.


Brett Tomko warming up in the 'pen.


General Gordo doing stretches.


Gordo walking slowly back toward his belongings.


Gord picking up items.


Gord walking away.


DeJesus ready to cut.


DeJesus again.


DeJesus with the great plate discipline, takes a ball.


DeJesus.


Brett Tomko warming up in the first.


Tomko finishing his delivery.


Billy B.


Ryan Shealy.


DeJesus.


Pena.


Yabuta.


Yabuta.


Yabuta.


Aviles.


Aviles' stance and swing looks remarkably similar to Mike Sweeney.


Jason Smith GIDP.



Roberto Giron.






More to come!

[KC Royals Nation]

10-8 in the eighth inning. Third base coach Luis Silverio looks into the dugout or crowd.


Mitch Maier getting ready to cut.


Ron Mahay warming up before the ninth inning.


Mahay delivers a pitch.


The team exits the field after a 10-8 loss.


Trey Hillman leaving his seat next to the Royals' dugout.


One reporter and a cameraman with Trey Hillman.


Several reporters with Hillman.


Grounds crew from the left field side.


One final look at Surprise Stadium for this Friday.

[KC Royals Nation]

Autographs for Friday, March 14:
- Ryan Shealy
- Dennis Leonard
- John Wathan
- Justin Huber
- David DeJesus
- Tony Pena
- Trey Hillman
- Tim Kurkjian (ESPN Baseball Analyst)

Dialogue:
- I witnessed a baseball sail over the fence at the southeast Minor League field. The Minor Leaguers were taking batting practice. 20 minutes later, I attempted to return it to the dugout and was greeted by blank stares. I just decided to pocket it and leave them alone.

- I caught many - *many* - pictures at the Minor League complex and Major League practice field. Several pictures of pitchers Kyle Davies, Jorge De La Rosa, and others shagging fly balls. They had peepholes that onlookers could peer through to watch the players practice. I watched Justin Huber and Angel Berroa casually shag several fly balls. Berroa, in fact, caught one and then his momentum carried him to the exact spot on the fence where I was standing. He must have been shocked to notice some weird onlooker with a digital camera. He kept barking things - innocently - at the coach and screaming in Spanish. I think he's a really eccentric dude, but in a good way. I hope he realizes how far his career has fallen since 2003, and becomes motivated enough to not make obvious blunder after obvious blunder on the field. I don't want to pick on a guy for diminished God-given skills, but several boneheaded plays on his part cost us many games. Let's just leave it at that.

- I noticed outfielder David DeJesus was signing baseballs with his right hand. I asked him if he was ambidextrous, and he replied that he threw the baseball with his left hand, but was actually right-handed. Did anyone else know this?

- I told Ryan Shealy I was having trouble thinking of a nickname for the burly guy. He told me to let him know once he did, and to keep the nickname "kind". Shealy seemed like a genuinely nice guy.

- I believe Jason Godin started the Minor League game (keep in mind, this is hearing from Tyler Chambliss' mouth, not official word or coaches). I was unable to attend the Minor League game this afternoon, and I really apologize. I plan on e-mailing Dave Sanford from Royals Corner and getting a full report. I hope to have it posted here very, very soon.

- Mike Moustakas appeared to be a really burly fellow. What is he? 6'0", 215. That's quite stocky for a shortstop or middle infielder. I'd say a positional change is imminent and likely, based on that shape.

- I said "We Believe" to Tony Pena, Jr. as he was signing my autograph. He said "yes, sir". Yep, he's heard it before.

- Several players' families and hardcore Royals onlookers like myself were gathered around the practice fields at 9:00AM and later. (I arrived at the complex around 9:30). I talked casually and briefly with a few of these folks, but no real hardcore Royals discussion was started.

- Royals great and Mac-N-Seitz owner Kevin Seitzer was visiting the upper-level Minor Leaguers and helping as a coach, at least for that weekend.

- I believe I caught George Brett warming up in the bullpen with his son, Jackson, before the game.

- Traffic in Arizona is terrible. It has been nearly bumper-to-bumper in both to-and-from trips. Lack of public transportation really wrecks the boat here. It makes staying 40+ minutes away from Surprise incredibly difficult and inconvenient, especially for those seeking to arrive at the game well in advance.

- I noticed several Minor League non-roster invitees practicing on the southernmost field. Two middle infielders showed *excellent* handwork, though I don't remember their names and don't feel like looking it up.

(Again, some dialogue is lame, but I thought I would share).

Encounters:

- I said "hello" to J.J. Picollo.
- My 9-year old cousin got his picture taken with John Buck, who was fielding autographs in the stands on the left-field side. He had received his autograph two years before.
- I noticed several of the players' wives, children, and family sitting in the front two rows on the third base side. They had yellow bands sticked around their wrists...
Who was there? Brett Tomko's wife, Trey Hillman's father and sister, J.J. Picollo's children, Yaz Yabuta's family, and a new Japanese coach hired by Hillman to help during Spring Training.

I'll have some more summaries available again later.

[KC Royals Nation]

mdinaz said:

Great report. We'll be up there on Saturday to visit the Renaissance Festival then hit the game on Sunday before driving home to southern AZ. I still have a house in the Phx area but it's empty so we may stay at a hotel, not sure where yet. We'll track you down then and see what you are up to.

Sounds good. I won't be at the game on Saturday but will be there Sunday. I got your last e-mail; hope to see you there!

[mdinaz]

admin said:

- Traffic in Arizona is terrible. It has been nearly bumper-to-bumper in both to-and-from trips. Lack of public transportation really wrecks the boat here. It makes staying 40+ minutes away from Surprise incredibly difficult and inconvenient, especially for those seeking to arrive at the game well in advance.

Traffic has literally tripled in the past 5 years or so. I moved here in 1998 and portions of the freeway that used to be completely empty at rush hour are now bumper to bumper even on weekends and late at night. That's why I recently moved out of Phoenix to extreme southern AZ. Over one million people have been added in just the past 8 years to the Phoenix area alone.

[kcroyal24]

great report! & I love all the pictures!

[KC Royals Nation]

Here are some rantings, ravings, and other belated notes from Friday's game:

- Yaz Yabuta looks nowhere near Major League ready. His straight-overhand delivery doesn't add movement to his ball, and given that he throws 90-92mph. (or at least did) on Friday, he is nowhere near deceptive enough. He didn't mix and change speeds enough to be effective - his off-speed pitches hovered in the low-to-mid 80s. I hope the Royals reconsider him for the back of that bullpen role. In fact, at this point, I might say that Nomo has a better chance of experiencing success in that short relief role than Yabuta. Maybe McClure is helping him work on a pitch, but quite simply, he looked incredibly vulnerable and got absolutely and positively shelled.

- Ryan Shealy finally looks capable as a Major League hitter. He showed some plate discipline and, even more importantly, at least looked to be regaining the timing and velocity of his swing. He mixed and matched off-speed and fastball pitches well. I like his size and presence at the plate. I hope he comes back strong and wins a legitimate starting role at first base out of spring.

- Mike Aviles' batting stance looks remarkably similar to that of Mike Sweeney's. Similar tweaks and similar stance overall. I watched him play late in the game Thursday and Friday, and I'm hoping he eventually succeeds Esteban German as a valuable .290-hitting (or so) utility infielder. Although he hasn't committed fewer than 22 errors the last three seasons, I think he can be at least as mobile as "Estey". He has decent pop, but must take a backseat to Callaspo offensively and isn't good enough defensively to start at shortstop.

- Alex Gordon appeared to be lunging in front of some off-speed pitches and trying to pull them, a la 2007. He is as surehanded as they come defensively, at least from the naked eye. He demonstrated good range once again by moving into the shortstop's "territory" in the infield to field ground balls, and displayed great instincts and a good arm in the field.

- Tony Pena's approach at the plate, quite frankly, stinks. With runners on base, he lunged and missed at pitch #1 and then promptly grounded into an inning-ending double play at a ball outside the strike zone on pitch #2. His defensive attributes don't nearly overcome his ginormous offensive shortcomings. Although he graciously signed my autograph on Friday, I'm not holding him as a shortstop of the future.

- Callaspo looked very good in the field and at the plate. I hope the organization considers him as a true everyday player this season. I love his crouch and his approach.

- Damon Hollins looks absolutely atrocious in the outfield. He lost two fly balls in the sun. I understand the sun has caused several problems among many teams' outfielders this spring, but give me a break. DeJesus and Gathright each caught multiple fly balls in the sun. Use your shades appropriately. Hollins will not make this team because of his outfield defense, offense be damned.

- In addition to Hollins' circus approach on a sunny afternoon, Tony Pena lost a pop fly on the infield and let it drop. Mike Aviles could have caught the ball, but Pena had priority, and a complete lack of communication obviously took place, leading my father to boo (which he rarely does, mind you). Pena needs to get his act together to make this team, but a free pass absolutely shouldn't be given by Hillman, et al.

- ALSO: Pena got picked off at first base. Not a good day for the elf-looking shortstop.

- I didn't watch Ron Mahay too closely, but he looked good. Fastball lower '90s, good deception.

- I didn't watch Brett Tomko closely enough in the fourth inning, but as I commented in another Royals Review thread, his stuff really didn't look too bad in the first three innings. Honest, it didn't. Fastball 90-92, good mix of curveballs, keeping the ball low, plenty of swings and misses, and even a few strikeouts. I think Tomko could still be serviceable in a relief role, but stamina will force him being anywhere near a league-average starter in 2008, unfortunately. 15 win stuff? Doubtful. 4.50 stuff in relief role? Probable, if he'll even be used there.

- Joey Gathright can absolutely fly down that line. He beat out a bunt easily and I believe (not sure) he beat out another infield single. Spectacular speed.

- I love everything about Billy Butler at the plate. I've read some scouts believe his swing is too unorthodox, but there are few flaws in his plate approach. He'll hit at least .290/.350 the next dozen years.

[KC Royals Nation]

Throughout this entire trip, we've stayed at the beautiful Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix. The architecture and aesthetics are second to none, but the service is questionable at best. We tried to organize a last-minute Saturday night event, asked for concierge help on more than one occasion, and have - literally - gotten no help. It's a long story, and I'm sure if lelandinkc or royalloyal logged into the board, they could tell you more about it. They were quite unhelpful.

Other events that we have done were real-life chess playing, croquet tournaments, swimming at the water park, desert Hummer-driving and "nightlighting", shall we say, and (of course) soaking in the sun and baseball.

If anyone has any extra questions about the trip, let me know. I'll write more on Sunday on the flight home (we leave in the late afternoon, and should arrive in Kansas City around 10pm, before I return to school the next week, ugggggghhh). I'll let everyone know more about our non-baseball related activities.

I hope to catch the first 50-60 minutes of the Minor League game on Sunday, and plan on arriving around 10am to watch the Royals organizations practice. I'll provide more pictures from Sunday as well. Hope we pick up a 'W' to wrap the trip up swimmingly.