On the final MLB Tonight of the year, the analysts decided to let people in on their 2013 predictions. Sure, it is a little early, but why not.

Former big league closer Dan Plesac, who has been drinking the Royals Kool-Aid for a few years now, made the boldest of predictions among the three on the show Friday night. He picked the KC Royals to win the American League Wild Card.

If I remember correctly, he picked the TB Rays to win the other wild card, so it would be interesting to see Big Game James Shields face his former teammates in a one game playoff.

What sold it for Plesac was that he Royals went out and traded for Shields and he thinks getting the 200+ inning pitcher will FINALLY push the Royals into the playoffs.

How many others will join Plesac in drinking the Royals Kool-Aid? Only time will tell.

It was a busy Tuesday for Royals rookie left-hander Tim Collins. He began his day visiting the MLB Fan Cave with fellow Royals Bruce Chen and Eric Hosmer. At night, he pitched two shutout innings against the NY Yankees. He followed that up with a visit to MLB Network studios and an appearance on MLB Tonight.

Collins last year with the FisherCats before his whirlwind second half.

Dan Plesac of MLB Network, who always seems to be drinking the Royals Kool-Aid, calls Collins “a little stick of dynamite.” Ken Rosenthal is deemed his biggest fan (though I know of a few who may be bigger fans).

When Collins was introduced in Studio 42, it was as the shortest player in the game. The three analysts stood up to show Collins short stature. Right now he is listed at 5’7, and I believe that’s true (I met him last year and looked right into his eyes and I’m 5’7). He was just 4’9 as a freshman in high school and played the outfield his first two years. He didn’t begin pitching until his junior year.

“Been told I’m not ever going to make it…I take that with me every time I take the mound,” Collins said in regards to his short stature and the critics.

The guys of MLB Tonight asked him about pitching at Yankee Stadium last night: “Be aggressive. I was really amped up.” Big crowd on hand and well, it was the Yankees.

They also asked him about warming up in the Yankees Stadium bullpen: “I didn’t get any heckling. I was really surprised.” Yankee fans are known to pester the opposing team’s bullpen.

They talked about the surprising start for the Royals and what it has been like in the clubhouse. Collins said “the atmosphere in the clubhouse has been outstanding.”

Collins has made 20 appearances so far this season (the Royals have played 35 games). What has made him so resilient? “I’m a big long toss guy, but I’ve had to shut it down a little bit.”

The guys of MLB Tonight asked Collins for his take on the Royals and their future. In three years, “I think they’re [Royals] going to be unbelievable.”

On Mike Moustakas: “Moustakas is unbelievable. He’s got the quickest hands I’ve ever seen.”

On John Lamb: “John Lamb is electric.” They were long toss partners throughout spring training.

Yes I took a pic of my TV of Tim's mechanics

Collins also showed off his pitching mechanics in a Diamond Demo. He brings his leg above his head which gives him momentum (it was never really the plan to bring it that high up). He hides the ball so well that hitters can’t pick it up until he just about releases it.

Collins was in studio during a live look-in of the SF Giants game in which Tim Lincecum was pitching. Collins admitted he’s a “huge fan of Lincecum, but not of the hair right now.” He also absolutely disagrees with Lincecum being listed as 5’11. Collins knows guys who played Lincecum in college and they said he’s not over 5’8.

When asked who he looked up to, Collins was quick to answer with “Billy Wagner.” He was an inspiration to Collins.

When Collins takes the mound every night, the goal and mindset is “to get those guys out.”

A pic of Tim in the studio (sorry my TV isn't the best)