Royals Second Half Goals

[redsrbetter]

Posted on Thu, Jul. 14, 2005


ROYALS' SECOND-HALF GOALS

By BOB DUTTON

The Kansas City Star


SS Angel Berroa

Production could jump with just a little better plate discipline.

OF Emil Brown

Maintain hitting approach while improving defense.

C John Buck

Show a little more offensive punch and improve pitch calling.

C Alberto Castillo

A few more hits would help, but club happy with defensive work.

OF Shane Costa

Find a way to get sufficient at-bats to make his stay worthwhile.

OF David DeJesus

No sign so far of sophomore jinx, but base stealing still needs work.

OF Matt Diaz

(DL) Could be optioned to minors upon return unless spot opens up.

2B Ruben Gotay

Boost average to .260-plus, keep improving defensive anticipation.

INF Tony Graffanino

Match first-half performance to bolster trade interest.

1B Ken Harvey

(DL) Should be available later this month, but hard to see where he fits.

OF Terrence Long

Want to package in trade to create roster space for Costa and others.

INF Joe McEwing

Low-priced utility guy could see bigger role if Graffanino is traded.

1B/OF Matt Stairs

Could be packaged in trade, but club officials hope to hold on to him.

1B Mike Sweeney

Stay healthy, stay healthy, stay healthy, stay healthy.

3B Mark Teahen

Hoping to see a little more pop — more doubles if not homers.

LHP Jeremy Affeldt

Just staying healthy should allow natural gifts to shine.

LHP Brian Anderson

(DL) Probably done for the season, could return on low-priced deal.

RHP Denny Bautista

(DL) Won’t rush him, but healthy return by season’s end is key.

RHP Ambiorix Burgos

(DL) Should be activated tonight, better command a goal.

RHP D.J. Carrasco

Show first-half wasn’t a fluke, club must watch innings.

LHP Jimmy Gobble

Second half will determine whether he is good fit as a reliever.

RHP Zack Greinke

Should be rewarded if he continues to improve form.

RHP Runelvys Hernandez

Keep improving command in first year back from surgery.

LHP J.P. Howell

Turn down emotion with two strikes on hitters, two outs in innings.

RHP Ryan Jensen

Pitching well when called on is only way out of mop-up duty.

RHP Jose Lima

Injuries to others keep him in rotation for now, but for how long?

RHP Mike MacDougal

Show that cutter is really the key that unlocks his potential.

RHP Leo Nuñez

A strike thrower who must refine location on those strikes.

LHP Andrew Sisco

Build on solid first half as reliable left-hander out of the bullpen.

RHP Kyle Snyder

(DL) Unlikely to get duty in big leagues if limited to 80 pitches.

RHP Steve Stemle

(DL) Re-establish credentials as solid middle guy upon return.

RHP Scott Sullivan

(DL) Workhorse veteran unlikely to pitch at all this season.

RHP Mike Wood

Versatility a plus, but could be better with regular role.
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/12126999.htm

[RockSports17]

I think their major goal should be to just win games and for their players to develope into better players.