2014 Royals Repository

[duncan_idaho]

With my 6,000th post on ChiefsPlanet (it only took me 12 years to get here), I bring you: The 2014 Kansas City Royals Repository.

To be discussed here: All things Royals, as they attempt to post another winning season and make it back to the playoffs for the first time since 1985.

25-man RosterAvailable HERE

AL Central Standings:

Link

Duncan's Top 20 Royals Prospects

Spoiler!

1) 3B Hunter Dozier ETA: 2015
Dozier started slowly at A+ Wilmington but caught fire in May and June, earning a mid-season promotion to AA Northwest Arkansas. Big, strong kid with good plate discipline skills and solid power who projects to be an above-average glove at 3B with solid power.

2) SS Raul (Adalberto) Mondesi ETA: 2017
Mondesis is the opposite of Dozier…. Started red-hot at Wilmington before back spasms derailed him for a few weeks and hasn’t gotten it going since coming back. Scouting reports have been great – defense and speed both improved over the offseason. Still a chance to be an elite SS, with 40 SB speed, plus glove, .300 average and some pop.

3) LHP Sean Manaea | ETA: 2015
Scouting reports outperform the stat line so far. Missing a ton of bats at A+ but not preventing runs like you’d expect to see. Needs to work deeper into games (gradually working about an inning deeper/month so far this year) and improve control. Walks are biggest concern right now, but could be elevated due to work on extra off-speed offerings. Still has No. 2 starter potential, could be higher if the great control he exhibited before his hip surgery eventually comes back.

4) RHP Kyle Zimmer| ETA: 2015
Should be NO. 1 on the list and is probably the Royals most VALUABLE current prospect, but he hasn’t thrown a ball in 4-5 weeks and had only been throwing for 2-3 weeks when he was shut down then.

5) LHP Brandon Finnegan| ETA: 2015
Top 2014 draft choice is an undersized lefty who will start at A+ Wilmington after anchoring CWS run for TCU. Good fastball, better slider, change that needs work to stick as a starter, but if he sticks, No. 2/No. 3 starter upside. Likely a top 10 or even top 5 pick if he doesn’t miss 1 start in the middle of the college season as a precautionary move.

6) RHP Miguel Almonte| ETA: 2016
Have heard some say Almonte is more advanced as a pitcher at A+ than Yordano Ventura was (comparison because both were cheap signs out of Latin America). Really advanced changeup and a curve that is working out well (where the ‘more advanced’ comment comes from). Fastball velo is good but not great – 92-94. Like Manaea, working on his second-best offspeed pitch and leaning less on his bread-and butter (changeup), which has hurt his numbers a bit.

7) RHP Christian Binford 2017
Reverse case of “don’t just scout stat lines.” Based on his stats at A+, you’d think he was an elite prospect, but there are questions about Binford’s stuff playing up at higher levels. Tall righty with great command of fastball, slider and a good and still developing changeup. None of those pitches profiles as better than average, though, limiting his likely upside to back-end rotation guy.

8) SS Orlando Calixte| ETA: 2016
I still like him more than many. Good combination of SS/MI skills and power. Started hot at NWA but in a slump at moment.

9)LHP Foster Griffin | ETA: 2019
Tall, projectable lefty taken in 2014 draft. Viewed as a great value in the sandwich round and probably would have been KC’s pick at No. 17 if Finnegan hadn’t fallen. High school arm who is going to take a while to develop.

10) RF Jorge Bonifacio| ETA: 2016
Hasn’t hit as well as expected in his second go-round at AA NWA. Power still sapped, and average skills have dipped. Once looked like he might be an option in RF at some point in 2015, now looks like 2016 is optimistic. Still young for his level.

11) 3B/2B Cheslor Cuthbert| ETA: 2016
Cuthbert has had better luck at NWA than Boni and is also extremely young for level. HE’s been moved to 2B since Dozier was promoted, which could put a new spin on Cuthbert’s prospects. If he sticks at 2B, bat plays up much better. Good OBP/plate discipline and solid power, but needs to continue improving contact skills

12) C Chase Vallot| ETA: 2020
Young (just 17) C with tremendous power. One of the top prep bats and a great value for KC where it got him. If he sticks at C, expect him to move slowly, but the bat may force the issue (or force him to another position).

13) C Zane Evans| ETA: 2017
GA Tech product has handled Wilmington better than most RH bats and probably is in line for a promotion to NWA sometime soon. Decent pop, decent skills behind the plate. Could be a nice reserve catcher.

14) RHP Scott Blewett| ETA: 2020
Tall, projectable righty with a fresh arm but some injury concerns on his shoulder that slipped him out of Round 1 of MLB draft. Big time potential.

15) CF Bubba Starling | ETA:
Bubba Starling has great tools. Bubba Starling (still) can’t hit. That’s all I have to say about that.

16) 1B Samir Duenez| ETA:
I still like him, even though the attempt to run him through full season ball at 17 did not go well.

17)LF/RF Elier Hernandez| ETA:
Hernandez still pops up in scouting reports but still is very raw and toolsy.

18) RHP Pedro Fernandez| ETA:
Pop-up player on the same track as Ventura and Almonte. Similar signing, similar profile. One to watch over next few years.

19) SS Marten Gasparini| ETA:
Royals’ most expensive international signing likely moves to CF eventually, but his speed and athleticism are intriguing abilities. Early reports from complex ball are very positive on him.

20) RHP Niklas Stephenson| ETA:
Interesting pop-up candidate who found 10 more MPH on his fastball by using a weighted ball during workouts over the winter. Now sits mid-90s with fastball and is dominating at rookie ball (after having an ERA over 8 there a year ago). Likely promoted to a higher challenge soon.

[Mother****erJones]

With Avi Garcia tearing his labrum and out for the year

@scotgregor: #WhiteSox acquire OF Gorkys Hernandez in minor-league trade with Royals. He'll report to Triple-A Charlotte


Any insight into who this is? Thanks guys

[WhawhaWhat]

Originally Posted by Mother****erJones

With Avi Garcia tearing his labrum and out for the year

@scotgregor: #WhiteSox acquire OF Gorkys Hernandez in minor-league trade with Royals. He'll report to Triple-A Charlotte


Any insight into who this is? Thanks guys

Speed and defense guy that can't hit well enough to make a roster. He's been on 6 teams at 26 because people are waiting on the bat to come around.

[Shogun]

I just thought you guys might want to know. Jim Johnson (THE Jim Johnson) lost his closer job for the A's. Because he sucks.

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

“He’s pressing a little bit but not nearly as much as he was at any time last year. He’s going to be okay.”
Ned Yost, on Moose’s 0-15 start, 610 AM

GH: Yost made this comment about the Royals’ third baseman over the weekend. It sounded so familiar to me that I checked the archives from last May and came up with what Yost said about Moose when he was in a 2-41 tailspin. Read on.

“Last year, when he struggled. I mean (Moose) was a mess. There were times when you’d have to sit him for a ‘mental day.’ This year, he’s been in a great frame of mind. … He’s going to be fine.”
Ned Yost, on the same slumping Moustakas, May 2013, Kansas City Star

GH: Okay, so by my count that is three seasons in a row where we can document that Moose has struggled with slumps and his mental state. Hey, we all understand that baseball is a hard game to play and it’s a grind and the Royals faced three of the best pitchers on the planet (who happen to be in their division) and blah, blah, blah… I would like Yost to try a different tactic to motivate the moody Moose. “Hey moose – hit the damn ball or you’re going to find out how many great restaurants there are in Omaha.”



“Obviously, Mike Moustakas is still struggling although good for him to at least have the RBI walk today. I know that doesn’t mean anything is solved but at least he can go back and say he made a contribution. He also had some defensive plays – he also had the error…”
Joel Goldberg, Royals pre- and postgame host, trying to put a positive spin on Moose’s 0-15 start after Saturday’s win over the Chisox, Fox Sports KC

GH: It’s not just Yost who is walking and talking on eggshells when it comes to Moose’s slump. Goldberg tried everything he could to turn that bases-loaded walk into a Player of the Game award.

Right.

The supportive approach hasn't done shit. It's time to tell him to perform or GTFO.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by Shogun

I just thought you guys might want to know. Jim Johnson (THE Jim Johnson) lost his closer job for the A's. Because he sucks.

He's been getting blown up hard every outing so far!

[Brianfo]

It sucks bad as a Royals fan, but Butler sucks. You don't pay a DH 8 million with this payroll. He is fat and unathletic. He fleeced this team. I'm the biggest homer there is but he sucks. Why do you think he was so quick to sign long term with this team? The only and I mean only star on this team is Salvador Perez.

He has the components to be a hall of famer. Dude also loves the game. After bullpen session opening day, he threw my son the ball. He still has a smile on his face a week later.

[-King-]

Billy and Salvy should be switched on the lineup. Salvy is the best hitter on the team not named Aoki and is much more deserving to be the cleanup hitter than Butler.

[Brianfo]

Moose needs to be sent down. Send a message. It's time to compete. If I perform at my job the way he has, I'm looking for a new job. I don't get it. Mental midget. Shit or get off the pot.

[nychief]

Originally Posted by Brianfo

Moose needs to be sent down. Send a message. It's time to compete. If I perform at my job the way he has, I'm looking for a new job. I don't get it. Mental midget. Shit or get off the pot.

Just curious...what is your job?

[Anyong Bluth]

Ya know, when I think about it- it's not actually farfetched that the Royals could have over half the spots at GG represented by a KC player.

Sure, maybe they won't all win it because of reluctance to name so many from 1 team - especially if you have a spot where there's a tossup. But, as far as play on the field - it already looks like they have 5 guys at least playing at a GG level.

Funny thing is, I thought Hosmer would have almost no chance at winning last year given the entrenched and established competition.

Gold Gloves Galore
April 10
BY RANDY COVITZ
The Kansas City Star

The Royals set a franchise record with three players earning Gold Glove awards for their defensive skills last season. Is it possible the club could field almost an entire team of Gold Glove winners?

Manager Ned Yost thinks so. The way shortstop Alcides Escobar and center fielder Lorenzo Cain have flashed leather so far this season, Yost says they could join catcher Salvador Perez, first baseman Eric Hosmer and left fielder Alex Gordon as Gold Glove winners.
Escobar made a running, back-to-the infield, basket catch with a runner on first and one out in the second inning of Wednesday’s 7-3 win over Tampa Bay. He also threw out Evan Longoria from deep in the hole on which Hosmer made a nice scoop; and Escobar threw out two batters after making barehanded pickups on soft rollers.
“I don’t think you can play a better shortstop than he played today on any level on this earth,” Yost said. “He was spectacular.
“We talk about how great our team is defensively, and we had three Gold Glove award winners last year, but I think this team is capable of winning four or five Gold Glovers. I think Escobar is going to win a Gold Glove before it’s all said and done, and … Cain has a chance to be a Gold Glove winner …
“It sounds crazy, but it’s very, very possible.”


Aoki stays hot

Right fielder and leadoff man Nori Aoki, who was acquired from Milwaukee in the off-season, hit .500 — 10 for 20 — during the just-completed six game homestand with four runs, a double, two triples, an RBI, two walks and a stolen base.
This after opening the year going zero for nine in Detroit.
“I knew he was a nice player,” Yost said. “I knew the Milwaukee Brewers organization loved him, and I knew the fans in Milwaukee loved him. I knew we were getting something special. Defensively, he’s been outstanding, and offensively he’s been exactly what we needed at the top of the order, something we’ve lacked the last three or four years, a bonafide leadoff hitter that can create havoc with the bat.
“He’ll take his walks. He can hit the ball to all fields. That’s what’s so amazing about him because he’s really tough to defend. He’ll hit that real tough, down-and-away pitch to left field and then if you bust him in, boom, he turns on the ball in, too. He’s one of the few guys I’ve seen who can handle the whole plate.”

[Mother****erJones]

You can have Adam Dunn

[58kcfan89]

Not sure if anyone can help, but I'm trying to buy a Sal Perez jersey for a friend's birthday present and he really wants one of the alternate Royal blue jerseys with the "Royals" script on the front.
Like so:


Problem is, they changed those jerseys this year (now they look like a BP or ST jersey. Yuck.) and I can't find the old ones on the site anywhere. Anyone got any bright ideas? Would they have any at the team store in the stadium?

Thanks in advance.

[dmahurin]

Originally Posted by 58kcfan89

Not sure if anyone can help, but I'm trying to buy a Sal Perez jersey for a friend's birthday present and he really wants one of the alternate Royal blue jerseys with the "Royals" script on the front.
Like so:


Problem is, they changed those jerseys this year (now they look like a BP or ST jersey. Yuck.) and I can't find the old ones on the site anywhere. Anyone got any bright ideas? Would they have any at the team store in the stadium?

Thanks in advance.

Check Ali express.

[Anyong Bluth]

Originally Posted by dmahurin

Check Ali express.

Or ebay

[Anyong Bluth]

Originally Posted by dmahurin

Check Ali express.

$23 - pretty cheap, and that was just a 10 second Google search

http://m.aliexpress.com/item/1690771...bilesitedetail