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.

[C3HIEF3S]

If the Royals win tonight they better go back to that same strip club

[Prison Bitch]

Kruk just analyzed the AL East. Says its wide open and will go down to the end with 4 or 5 teams battling it out. What would we do without analysts?

[C3HIEF3S]

Clint Robinson hit the game winning RBI for the Dodgers today

[C3HIEF3S]

@McCulloughStar: Inside the Royals clubhouse, the post-game playlist featured a raucous version of "I Luv Dem Strippers" by 2 Chainz. Ballplayers, man.

[Archie F. Swin]

Originally Posted by thurman merman

When is the last time you watched a game, sport? He's been hitting extremely well for quite a while now.

I watched Sunday's game...the one you obviously missed

[DeepSouth]

Barring some unforeseen injury or trade, the Royals have four starters already set for the 2015 season; Vargas, Ventura, Duffy, and Guthrie. In my opinion, that's not a bad start for a five man rotation.

Who will be the fifth starter? I looked at the starters currently at Omaha and only one has impressive stats. Dwyer, Lamb, Marimon, Brooks, and Verdugo do not look impressive. Clayton Mortenson (who I know nothing about) is 3 - 0 with a .99 era.

Based on stats alone, I see no one in NWA to get excited about.

If the 5th started is to come from within, we can only hope that either Zimmer or Finnegan make the jump.

If the 5th spot is filled by someone not currently in the organization, who are the candidates. Either by free agency (another Vargas) or trade (Shields / Wade), who could it be?

Interested to know what ya'll think?

[TLO]

Originally Posted by DeepSouth

Barring some unforeseen injury or trade, the Royals have four starters already set for the 2015 season; Vargas, Ventura, Duffy, and Guthrie. In my opinion, that's not a bad start for a five man rotation.

Who will be the fifth starter? I looked at the starters currently at Omaha and only one has impressive stats. Dwyer, Lamb, Marimon, Brooks, and Verdugo do not look impressive. Clayton Mortenson (who I know nothing about) is 3 - 0 with a .99 era.

Based on stats alone, I see no one in NWA to get excited about.

If the 5th started is to come from within, we can only hope that either Zimmer or Finnegan make the jump.

If the 5th spot is filled by someone not currently in the organization, who are the candidates. Either by free agency (another Vargas) or trade (Shields / Wade), who could it be?

Interested to know what ya'll think?

I just hope they don't try to use Wade Davis or Hochaver to fill the spot.

[Archie F. Swin]

I saw Brooks pitch last Saturday. He definitely has swing and miss stuff.

[DeepSouth]

Originally Posted by Big Smoke

I just hope they don't try to use Wade Davis or Hochaver to fill the spot.

Isn't Hochaver a free agent after this year? And, speculation is Holland could be traded with Wade taking over closer duties.

[DeepSouth]

Originally Posted by Archie F. Swin

I saw Brooks pitch last Saturday. He definitely has swing and miss stuff.

Seems the Royals see something special in Brooks. They did give him a spot start in the majors (which he got hammered). And, his stats aren't that bad in Omaha; 7 - 2, 3.67 ERA. Maybe he's the one?

[Archie F. Swin]

He made the OKC Redhawks lineup look reeruned. Occasionally someone would get a deep drive off him, but mostly they were left guessing.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by DeepSouth

Barring some unforeseen injury or trade, the Royals have four starters already set for the 2015 season; Vargas, Ventura, Duffy, and Guthrie. In my opinion, that's not a bad start for a five man rotation.

Who will be the fifth starter? I looked at the starters currently at Omaha and only one has impressive stats. Dwyer, Lamb, Marimon, Brooks, and Verdugo do not look impressive. Clayton Mortenson (who I know nothing about) is 3 - 0 with a .99 era.

Based on stats alone, I see no one in NWA to get excited about.

If the 5th started is to come from within, we can only hope that either Zimmer or Finnegan make the jump.

If the 5th spot is filled by someone not currently in the organization, who are the candidates. Either by free agency (another Vargas) or trade (Shields / Wade), who could it be?

Interested to know what ya'll think?

The organization's plan was for Kyle Zimmer to be that guy, but that's questionable at this point (especially considering he has only thrown a few ST starts so far and isn't throwing currently - I think he's out a few more weeks. He's not going to be built up for a bunch of innings).

Finnegan will be a candidate if he moves quickly (they're starting him at A+ Wilmington).

Sean Manaea has not moved as quickly as expected. He's had some control problems at Wilmington and given up a lot of hits, though he's pitched better of late (as he is stretched out and able to go deeper in games). If something clicks - like it did for Zimmer last year - we could see Manaea move really quickly. He's missing bats at an incredible rate (78 Ks in 59 1/3 IP).

Beyond that, they may be looking at a not-bank-breaking FA arm. It's hard to say exactly what will be out there, as there are a lot of guys with team options or mutual options.

[Mama Hip Rockets]

Originally Posted by Archie F. Swin

I watched Sunday's game...the one you obviously missed

Actually, I was at that game. Was that the first game you watched in June?

[DeepSouth]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

The organization's plan was for Kyle Zimmer to be that guy, but that's questionable at this point (especially considering he has only thrown a few ST starts so far and isn't throwing currently - I think he's out a few more weeks. He's not going to be built up for a bunch of innings).

Finnegan will be a candidate if he moves quickly (they're starting him at A+ Wilmington).

Sean Manaea has not moved as quickly as expected. He's had some control problems at Wilmington and given up a lot of hits, though he's pitched better of late (as he is stretched out and able to go deeper in games). If something clicks - like it did for Zimmer last year - we could see Manaea move really quickly. He's missing bats at an incredible rate (78 Ks in 59 1/3 IP).

Beyond that, they may be looking at a not-bank-breaking FA arm. It's hard to say exactly what will be out there, as there are a lot of guys with team options or mutual options.

I didn't include Manaea as a possibility after I looked at his line. He's only pitched more that five innings one time and that was his last outing. I guess they could be limiting his innings because he's still building up strength after hip surgery. And, his ERA is over 4.80.

What do you know about NWA's Juan Carlos Antonio Sulbaran? He's 5 -5 with a 3.02 ERA.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by DeepSouth

I didn't include Manaea as a possibility after I looked at his line. He's only pitched more that five innings one time and that was his last outing. I guess they could be limiting his innings because he's still building up strength after hip surgery. And, his ERA is over 4.80.

What do you know about NWA's Juan Carlos Antonio Sulbaran? He's 5 -5 with a 3.02 ERA.

It's hard to just stat-watch with minor league players, especially at levels like Low-A.

Manaea has had consistently excellent scouting reports and is throwing the ball really well (velo, movement, deception). He also is missing an absolute ton of bats. They've been limiting his innings and pitch counts pretty closely (75 pitches earlier in the year, with a 30-pitch limit in an inning) and he's had bad luck with the bullpen and his inherited runners.

A+ is usually the level where the Royals take away the pitcher's most advanced secondary pitch to have them focus on developing other pitches (for Zimmer last year, his curve, for Manaea his slider, for Almonte his changeup, etc).

I place more stock in what we hear about guys at A+ than what their stat line is.

JC Sulbaran has an OK ERA at NWA, which shouldn't be pooh-poohed away, but he also is outpitching his peripherals (not missing many bats - just 62 K in 80 2/3 IP and a high WHIP). I don't think he's a REAL prospect, but he might end up as a bullpen arm (where his stuff would play up to an acceptable level).