Baseball Prospectus released its top 101 this morning.

12. RHP Yordano Ventura
29. SS Raul Adalberto Mondesi
34. RHP Kyle Zimmer
46. RHP Miguel Almonte
78. RHP Sean Manaea
96. 3B Hunter Dozier
99. RF Jorge Bonifacio

From a quick glance, it looks like only the Twins have more prospects in their top 100, with 8. The Cubs and Pirates also have 7 prospects. Don't see any other group with that many.

I'd expect the Royals to be in the top 5 range of system rankings, when Baseball Pro releases it.

The Twins clearly have the top system, with the No. 1 overall player in Byron Buxton and tremendous depth, but this is not as strong a system as the Cardinals last year or the Royals in 2011.

I think I might take the Cubs' system over all the others. Tremendous potential from their position players, with Baez, Almora, Bryant and Soler all cracking the top 50.

I think most of us gave up on this when "The greatest system of all time!" turned out to be an epic bust. Like all things Royals. I think it's the first time that BB America's top system didn't make the playoffs within 2-3 years (can't remember the time frame) of winning the top honor. I think we have to make the playoffs this year or else their streak is snapped.

I understand people getting less excited about prospects. The 2011 system was devastated by the complete collapse of Mike Montgomery and the injury to John Lamb (which is more bad luck than anything else...). They're still going to end up getting top 5 production out of it, long-term, in my opinion (as that system netted Hosmer, Perez, Duffy, Greg Holland, Aaron Crow, Kelvin Herrera, James Shields).

But it's a far cry from what many thought it could have been/should have been. The collapse of the top two pitching prospects is what really did it in... if either of Lamb or Montgomery makes it, I don't think that grouping is looked at as a failure (maybe still a slight disappointment, but not a failure).

One of the differences here is that we've already seen Yordano Ventura pitch at an extremely high level in the major leagues. And he has already posted tremendous success at AAA, which is more than any of the pitchers on the 2011 list could say.

And ultimately, the farm system is ALWAYS going to be important to the Royals, because they must re-stock talent - and especially pitching talent - from within, and because they must have young talent that can be moved in trades at times.

There's always going to be injuries to pitchers it's just the nature of the business. The Royals need a hit that no one expected to make up for it.

There is still a lot of pitching on the FA market. Maybe not in league with Santana and Jimenez, but if we needed another Guthrie type; I think we can find it.

Some of the pitchers on the market: Chris Capuano, Barry Zito, Scott Baker, Jason Hammel, Tommy Hanson, Bruce Chen, Jake Westbrook and Paul Maholm.

They need the pitching equivalent of Salvador Perez, basically. Perez came out of nowhere as a hitter.

Not sure who would really qualify... I guess Ventura, to an extent, since he was a low-profile international signing. Maybe Miguel Almonte also fits that bill.

Every once in a while, those C-level and D-level prospects explode, its why everyone has 5+ minor league teams and grab all the warm bodies they can to fill all those rosters.

Mellinger tweeted earlier that Moustakas is in Arizona already and from all accounts looks in good shape. Lost weight, toned up.

Hopefully that helps translate into better numbers at the plate.

Pffftttt/Belly Butler

I was going to bring up Sal. I'd also include Herrera who has been quite the find. He struggled with the long ball last eyar but I think that was an aberration since he didn't the year prior. He was #30 in the Royals list in 2011 and he's been a legit MLB player. David Lough provided value too from the 20s and brought back Valencia.


I simply cannot fathom how Cleveland passed us yet again. Their prospect list from that year was garbage. And 2 of them were traded in the Jimenez deal. He had a good year last season so I guess he counts like Shields would for us but damn, their system should not be helping them to a better record than us. No way.

Find location of said Moose and I'll report back on factual nature of said shape!

Pitchers and catchers report Feb. 14. You going to be there?

Jeff Montgomery was on 810 earlier saying he would consider platooning Moose after a month if he doesn't produce

I agree

Not on that day but I'll probably go Saturday the 15th and 22nd to meet some of them and watch the morning workouts. Maybe snag a few autographs.

I saw Dayton Moore speak today. Lot of questions asked of him were bad, but there were a lot of good ones. Some cliffs:

- The bidding for Beltran was very close. Talking about a small amount of money, but he thought Carlos wanted to be a Yank all along. If Cano resigns with New York, Beltran probably is a Royal.

- Taking steps to ensure Zimmer is still available to pitch in September and October and hasn't run up against his innings limit.

- Manaea talked about as potentially being in line to help in 2015

- Stressed patience/Torii Hunter taking 6 years when talking about Bubba Starling and his development. He's very sure of his natural ability and physical tools. Talked about needing to give him a chance to let his natural ability at the plate catch up to his competition level. He's got the skill but high school experience hurt him.

- Brad Penny signing was based on connections to staff. Sounds like he was already living in KC. Also sounds like he will be looked at as a SP.

- Interesting comments about John Lamb. They're looking for the velocity to bump up a half-grade on all his pitches. Very pleased with his command and other pitching skills.

- Talked about working with Duffy on picking his spots for max velo and using that to help him work late into games.

- Expects .240-.260 with 25 HR and very good D from Moose (My take: If you get this, you're in really good shape)

Rany's blog post about the Valencia trade was interesting to me. Basically to sum up his books, he said that talent-wise the trade favors the Orioles. He also said that Valencia's really only going to help against LHP (which we already knew), but that would be a loss because then Moose isn't producing.

However, he said that if the Valencia acquisition has sent a message to Moose and that he's been working and in shape and ready to crush this year, that even if Valencia doesn't play much the trade was beneficial for KC because it lit a fire "in his ass" (Rany's words).

Stealing some work from El Chup on the Scout board. Baseball Pro today released its future tool grades for its top 101 prospects. Some pretty interesting stuff here. Note: They didn't list tools that are below average. Royals guys:

2-8/20-80 grading scale:

80: Generational skill (truly elite... only a handful of players realize this level.)
70: Plus-plus (consistent All-Star level tool)
60: Plus (above average)
55: You'll sometimes see this midway point grade, usually on younger guys
50: MLB average
40: Below average
30: Well below-average
20: Not worthy of playing pro ball

12. Ventura:
FB 8 (one of the very few 8/80's tools with that grade in the entire list)
CH 6
CB 6

29. Mondesi:
Run 6
Glove 6
Arm 6
Hit 5.5

34. Zimmer:

FB 7
CB 7
SL 6
CH 5

46. Almonte:
CH 7
FB 6
CB 5

78. Manaea:
FB 7
CH 6
SL 6

96. Dozier
Power 6
Arm 6
Run 5
Glove 5

99. Bonifacio:
Arm 7
Power 6
Hit 5

What does it mean? Looking at it, I know that the "best system ever" in 2011 had 6 pitchers in the top 100. But some key distinctions between that group and this one:

1) These pitchers have higher ceilings. You're talking about 3 guys (Zimmer, Manaea, Ventura) who all have true ToR potential. Vs. really just Mike Montgomery in that 2011 group.

2) This group is a ittle more of a known factor at the top. The 2011 pitchers didn't have anyone beyond AA. Ventura has dominated both AA and AAA and even MLB in his limited action there. Zimmer also has had a dominant period at AA.

3) When matching them up, the Royals have 3 top 50 pitchers in this year's ranking. The 2011 ranking had 4 guys (Dwyer, Duffy, Odorizzi, Jeffress) in the bottom 1/4 of the list. Those players tend to bust at higher rates (like a 4-star football recruit vs. a 5-star, or 1st round pick vs. 3rd round pick).

Ventura vs. Montgomery: Edge Ventura. More proven, more elite stuff. Elite fastball with plus curve and change (that could become plus-plus with more refinement?)? Sick. Monty also was shut down in 2011, the start of his slide into irrelevance.

Lamb vs. Zimmer: Edge Zimmer. Similar ceilings. Zimmer's stuff advantage balanced out by Lamb's handedness and pitchability/command. But Zimmer's dominant stretch at AA (small sample, but ... 4 starts, 18 2/3 IP, 27 K, 1.93 ERA, 0.857 WHIP, 5 BB) is better than Lamb's mixed success at that level in 2011.

Dwyer vs. Almonte: Edge Dwyer. Both two pitch guys, Dwyer had been good at AA at this point, trumping Almonte's sllightly higher ceiling.

Manaea vs. Duffy: Edge Manaea. I know Manaea hasn't thrown a pitch as a pro player, but his upside is so high, and Duffy was a question mark at this point, too.

I'm going to stay on board the Manaea bandwagon. Really think we're talking about a kid who is a consensus top 15 prospect at this time next year, potentially helping the rotation in 2015. Think Lucas Giolito type jump. His hip injury was something that they knew about and were never concerned with. Shouldn't be a long-term issue at all.

I agree.

If you're just looking at talent and value in a vacuum, the Orioles come out ahead.

However, if you start examining and considering what makes the 2014 Royals better, I see why Valencia is a better fit.

Lough had no spot in KC following the acquisition of Aoki. Heck, either Dyson or Maxwell - both of whom offer more rare talents to KC than Lough - is going to have a tough time finding a spot on the roster if they carry Valencia.

With Valencia, the Royals have an insurance policy at 3B they can use at least part of the time in case of injury/continued suckage from Moose. Without having to commit Bonifacio there full-time. Improved versatility is important.

Get us some more of those awesome pictures.

Was Santana or questions over additional spending addressed at all?

When did we trade Justin Maxwell for Jason Maxwell? Is Jason any good?

Royals should look into this as a possibility as well.



A.J. Burnett plans to pitch in 2014 and is thought to be open to offers from all teams.
Burnett stated at the end of the 2013 season that he was either going to retire or return for one final season in Pittsburgh, but he has apparently changed his mind. "I suspect he is going to open himself up to the market," a source told Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on Tuesday. Burnett, 37, registered an outstanding 3.30 ERA, 1.215 WHIP and 209/67 K/BB ratio in 191 innings last year for the Pirates.
Source: Travis Sawchik on Twitter
Jan 28 - 4:50 PM

This could also help our chances in netting Santana. Teams may be more apt to ink Burnett rather than forfeiting a draft pick to attain Santana.

He said what he has said several times before... David Glass has always made resources available when requested.

On Santana, basically what was in the Star today. They're still in touch. Every day that passes without him signing improves the hope they can bring him back.

I had missed the article, thanks!

The only team I can see getting Santana would be the Blue Jays, as both of their first round picks (they have two) is protected.

http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2014/1/2...=articlebottom

What a load of crap...that would be worst case scenario for the Royals getting a lower pick if they lose Santana

I agree as well.

Security wise, a one year isn't good for Santana, which I can understand and respect that, but if he would come back to KC for a one year deal for whatever is reasonable for a one year deal, and if he pitches lights-out like what he did in 2013 or better, then I think that would send a message to the MLB GM's and Owners that he had two solid seasons in a row, which would enable him to at least get a good multi-year contract that he is looking for.

Just my opinion.

Hopefully the wife can tag along to do that.

I'd love to meet up with any of you that are coming to town during Spring Training.

Why are they protected?

Top 10 picks are always protected, so their No. 9 pick is safe. The Blue Jays also have a comp pick for not being able to sign Phil Bickford from the 2013 draft (No. 11). That pick is always protected the next year.

In that case, they would sacrifice the second round pick.

Im sorry but no way I see Santana taking a 1 year deal. Even if he duplicates his great season, he is just 1 year older when it ends. He will take the longest contract offered.

But I will say that, assuming there is no way in hell Shields re-signs here, Santana would not be a bad option to give a few years. I would guess 3 is the minimum.

Yep, there is not a chance in hell he takes a 1 year deal. It may be less than 14MM AAV, but he'll take the best long-term deal available, at least 3 years.

David Lesky ‏@DBLesky 12 hrs Just heard from Hudler that the #Royals have offered Ervin Santana a 2 year deal.

Who is that guy?

I don't know, but if it turns out to happen, he's my new best friend.

Oh David Lesky?!? You know who David Lesky is, he's....ah...ya know....on twitter.

Ervin already has three year deals in hand reports say.

Then it's a matter of time before a deal happens. Probably by the end of the week.

Lesky's legit: http://kckingdom.com/2014/01/29/mlb-...-royals-radar/

Go 3 Dayton! Do it dammit!

I'm just not sure the Royals are serious enough about it to land him.

What reports, I haven't seen those.

It would be a travesty if they allow Hoch and Davis' salaries to prevent them from making a serious run at Ervin. Getting into the playoffs with this present rotation is reliant on either a weak division or Yordano having a Lincecum like rookie season.

If the Royals want a serious shot at going deep into the playoffs, than landing Ervin or another starter is a priority, in my opinion.

If this happens I'm taking off my pants in the office.

David Lesky ‏@DBLesky 40m
@michaelengel @patronaut0709 @pinetarpress He said that the Royals have offered Santana two years at some point this off-season.

Friday comes early this week I take it?

Its one thing if a Toronto flies in and blows everyone away, but if someone else signs Santana for 3/40 or something close to that, I'll be unhappy.

Besides the fact it would be great to have him in the rotation, I want Ervin to re-sign purely to see Rany's head do this...

http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view4/359...0gif%20320x214

I agree. If Santana is willing to sign for the 3/$40M range, I would hope that they are looking to move either Hoch or Davis for prospects and a little more monetary flexibility.

I've long advocated working on an extension for Shields, but if he wants a Greinke contract it's not going to happen in KC. Theoretically, signing Santana would give us less flexibility in future years, but if all of our pitching prospects pan out then it still strikes me as a contract that can be moved barring serious injury/terrible performance.

I can't imagine why any team would ever trade a prospect for Hochevar or Davis.

I know we're conditioned to hate Hoch (including me a year ago), but he has value as a relief pitcher. We wouldn't get much, but we'd get something even with his 2014 salary.

I bet the Dodgers would give us something for Hochevar.

Dodger dogs?!? I would be in for that.

Sarcasm?

Looks like we have our replacement for Bob Dutton.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>This passes for news: This will be my last week at The Star-Ledger. Excited to cover the Royals for The Kansas City Star.</p>&mdash; Andy McCullough (@McCulloughSL) <a href="https://twitter.com/McCulloughSL/statuses/428579433860304896">January 29, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Andy McCullough is the new Royals beat writer for the KC Star. He comes from New Jersey, where he covered the Yankees for the Star-Ledger.

Pfft, what a front-running, band wagon, fairweather writer.

Royals got Carlos Peguero from Seattle for either a PTBNL or cash

edit: looks like this guy is insurance, helping our outfield depth if someone gets hurt. He destroyed AAA in 2011 and 2012 but struggled in the majors. Last year he didn't do as much in AAA, so he might be a AAAA player.

Overall, thats fine for a PTBNL.

edit2: Everett Teaford was designated for assignment to make room for him.

The pick that another team surrenders for signing Santana has nothing to do with the pick the Royals receive. We will get a sandwich pick between round 1 and 2, regardless of whether the other team is surrendering a 1, 2, 3 or 4.

Add that to our regular #1 pick and our competitive balance pick that we received and we have three late first round-ish picks this year...assuming we don't sign Santana.

I never even thought Santana was a real option for us to be able to get, but if we are close in the bidding I would be SO happy. Considering Shields will be gone after this season, it'd be nice to have Santana in the rotation with Vargas and Guthrie in the event the younglings aren't up to par... (like most of our homegrown pitching over the years)

ROFL :clap:

Craig Brown ‏@royalsauthority 8m
So the #Royals DFAd Everett Teaford, who is currently on the Royals Caravan tour at Nellie’s Restaurant in Cameron, MO.

Rany Jazayerli ‏@jazayerli 4m
Awkward.

Here's an up-to-the-minute pic of Teaford:

<img style="-webkit-user-select: none" src="http://www.sunnyskyz.com/images/webpics/2012-12/8wpw4-hitchhiker.jpg">

ROFL

Royals acquire Carlos Peguero from Mariners for PTBNL or cash.

Royals an OF from Seattle for AAA depth.

Some more context which makes this trade make more sense.

Both players are out of options. So, they both have to make their team or clear waivers. Teaford has zero chance of making it, while this OF has at least a slim chance if someone gets hurt.

Probably similar situation in Seattle where the OF they traded had zero chance but Teaford could make it for them.

Rany Jazayerli ‏@jazayerli 29m
The Royals acquire Carlos Peguero from Seattle? That seems like a really weak return in exchange for Bob Dutton.

Carlos Peguero is 6'5" 260lbs. If he can't make the Royals, maybe he can play TightEnd for the Chiefs.

Welcome to Hell, mother****er!

Teaford gets DFA'ed while on the road PROMOTING the Royals? Oh man, worst layoff timing EVER!

I saw a clarification that they did tell him at the hotel before they left for the event...but still...yeah. Such is the business of baseball.

Apparently this OF'ers wife stole over 180k from King Felixs wife with online purchases.

Hide your credit cards and shiiaat

wow, what a dumbass. This is apparently the story: Peguero's wife (Maria) was helping Felix's wife with online purchases since she didn't speak english well. Maria asked if she ever checked her credit card statements, and Felix's wife said no.

So, Maria thinks she's free to make a lot of purchases from Saks. Problem is, the billing address didn't match the shipping address and when you are buying THAT much when the addresses don't match, people are going to start calling the cardholder. When the stuff started coming in, Maria also lied to her husband saying she had a brother who worked at Saks. She's now up on federal charges.

I'm thinking Seattle started calling around saying "hey guys, Felix is really pissed so we either have to trade this guy or waive him, what will you offer", and we threw them a bone.

Update on Peguero, there is no PTBNL, we straight-up paid cash to Seattle for him.

Nellie's in Cameron is like an old fashioned truck stop. Like walking back in time when you enter it. Rep for the photo

Dayton said that he wanted to add another power bat to the mixup. What did he see that says "Power Hitter" about this dude?