Here’s what Sherman had to say about making KC competitive again
KANSAS CITY — For a second, it regarded just like the Royals would maintain one other heartbreaking loss in a season of too many losses when José Ramírez efficiently stole house within the prime of the tenth inning on Thursday afternoon.
But Freddy Fermin had different concepts. The Royals backup catcher laced a two-run, pinch-hit double for a 4-3 walk-off win in 10 innings over the Guardians at Kauffman Stadium, Fermin’s second profession walk-off RBI.
“He’s a great guy to have in the clubhouse, always ready,” Nicky Lopez mentioned. “High-motor guy, and the situation is never too big for him. Couldn’t have been a better person.”
Fermin’s second provided a little bit of respite from what has already been an extended season earlier than even hitting the All-Star break. As the Royals hit the midway mark of the season with Game 81 on Thursday, they continue to be the second-worst workforce in baseball and 35 video games underneath .500 at 23-58.
There was an understanding coming into this yr that the Royals wouldn’t be contenders and that their analysis of a younger offense and implementation of recent processes and concepts all through the group on the pitching facet would take time.
But there may be loads of frustration about the place Kansas City stands. Royals chairman and CEO John Sherman acknowledged he thought his workforce could be farther alongside in enchancment than the place the Royals are actually.
“I feel accountable for where we are right now with our baseball team,” Sherman mentioned Thursday morning throughout a midseason press convention. “We are committed to doing what it takes to return to form and develop a playoff-caliber team here in Kansas City. We made meaningful changes both on and off the field last year that were necessary. But this is a real year of evaluation. And that evaluation right now is painful.”
In an hour-long press convention dominated by new stadium questions, Sherman sprinkled in some feedback in regards to the Royals’ on-field efficiency. He maintained that getting the Royals — a workforce on tempo for 116 losses and its seventh consecutive dropping season — again to the postseason is his precedence.
He expressed “total confidence” basically supervisor J.J. Picollo and supervisor Matt Quatraro, too, of their first yr implementing modifications made all through the offseason.
“[Quatraro] and [Picollo] knew what they were taking on here,” Sherman mentioned. “And what I appreciate about their approach, particularly with a young group like we have today, is the growth mindset. Keeping these players even and focusing on their processes and continuous improvement. … At the end of the day, this is a performance business. This is about results, and results in baseball are about wins and losses. We have some ground to cover.”
At the Aug. 1 Trade Deadline, the Royals will probably be sellers, seeking to complement their younger core on the Major League stage whereas constructing out their farm system. And within the second half, the analysis will proceed, with the Royals getting an prolonged take a look at extra of their depth.
That begins Friday, when No. 14 prospect Alec Marsh will make his debut in opposition to the Dodgers with Jordan Lyles out with an sickness.
The second-half analysis will assist them formulate a plan for an important upcoming offseason.
“We’re ready to spend some money,” mentioned Sherman, though when precisely that will probably be is unclear. “But it’s about the missing pieces of the puzzle to make sure we’re ready to compete and get back to the postseason.”
And the Royals search for enchancment from the group they’ve within the Majors now. That will be difficult because the losses pile up, however the message from the teaching workers stays constant.
“One thing we’ve learned as a team is not underestimating how hard this game is and how much growth we still have in front of us,” Quatraro mentioned. “I think the mindset of getting better each day is something that we’re challenging ourselves with. … We’ve had some good parts and things we feel really good about. There are a lot of things we know, and these guys are honest with themselves, that we need to improve.”
As irritating as this season is, gamers perceive that mindset.
“Constantly going back and asking myself, ‘What could I have done here to help in what type of way?’” shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. mentioned. “Right now, I really feel like we’ve got to do all the pieces excellent to get issues going. So I’m making an attempt not to do this as a result of it doesn’t assist.
“It doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process. We’ve got to trust everyone is working to get better every day. You have to care. It hurts me to lose. It’s tough. You really have to find a good mindset, and that’s what I’m trying to do. Take it pitch-by-pitch, play worry-free baseball and go out there every day giving 100%.”
