Whit Merrifield is a free agent.
Pete Grathoff writes that Bobby Witt Jr. took some extra batting practice at Fenway to prepare for the Home Run Derby.
“Just to try to see how it feels and everything,” Witt said, “just kind of a little proper preparation before it happens.”
The work paid off with a home run in the game.
“I got it over the Monster, finally. That’s something I’ve always dreamed about,” Witt said, still sweating while standing in the clubhouse after a brief visit with his guests. “It happened, so it’s pretty cool to do that. What the offense was doing tonight was great. Playing in Fenway is awesome.”
Salvy left last night’s game with a cramp, writes Anne Rogers.
“Just a cramp in the hamstring,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “We’re going to monitor how he feels tonight, but he should be fine.”
David Lesky writes the Royals’ needs have changed.
But I can tell you that it’s difficult to upgrade in too many areas, and if the Royals are getting the production they’re getting out of the outfield, it no longer becomes something they will prioritize as a deadline need. It also doesn’t hurt that the outfield market isn’t nearly as robust as they initially hoped.
That all doesn’t mean that they just lost a need. Rather, a hole has emerged with the play of Maikel Garcia (and Nick Loftin) at third base. This hole enforces a point that I’m sure at least a handful of you are screaming regarding the outfield. Stretches of good play shouldn’t change the overall message. Because if you had asked on May 31 what the Royals biggest need, at least in terms of position players, was, you’d say outfield. After play on that day, Maikel Garcia had weeks (180 plate appearances) of hitting .313/.360/.434, which was good for a 122 wRC+. He did it all with great defense at third too. Clearly that wasn’t a problem.
Kiley McDaniel at ESPN has his mock draft.
Chase Burns, RHP, Wake Forest
I think Burns is the target here and he also fits the competitive situation the Royals are in now, as he could be in the big leagues as early as this summer as a reliever, if they’re inclined to try it. Like the previous few picks, I think the Royals are hoping one of the consensus top-five talents (Condon, Bazzana, Wetherholt, Caglianone, Burns) gets to their pick, with Bryce Rainer or Montgomery as the leading options if the top five all go ahead of No. 6.
Trey Donovan at Farm to Fountains writes that Bobby Witt Jr. could win MVP.
Royals Weekly looks at whether Cayden Wallace is the third baseman of the future.
Former Royals All-Star Whit Merrifield was released by the Phillies.
Benches clear in the Yankees/Orioles game after Heston Kjerstad is hit in the head.
Reds rookie Rece Hinds hits his first career grand slam.
Jose Altuve hits career home run number 223, fourth-most in Astros history.
Pirates rookie Paul Skenes is named the starter for the National League in the All-Star Game.
Mariners pitcher Andrés Muñoz replaces teammate Logan Gilbert on the All-Star team.
Teams are asking the Rays about All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes.
Why the Rangers shouldn’t be afraid of retooling.
Some storylines to follow for tomorrow’s draft.
Jalen Brunson takes a pay cut to help the Knicks win a championship.
Spain takes on England in the Euro finals this weekend.
TikTok is full of bad health hacks.
Astronomers want to redefine what it means to be a planet.
Pablo Escobar’s abandoned hippos are wreaking havoc in the Amazon.
Your song of the day is The Traveling Wilburys with Handle with Care.
