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.

[Anyong Bluth]

Originally Posted by Why Not?

He's been on PEDs his whole career. prolonged eating dinners

Providing Eventual Double-play

[Why Not?]

Originally Posted by Anyong Bluth

Providing Eventual Double-play

Hahahah. I like your better.

[dmahurin]

Wow!

@Ken_Rosenthal: DEAL IS DONE: #Cubs send Samardzija and Hammel to #Athletics for Addison Russell, per sources. May be other players and team(s) involved.

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by dmahurin

Wow!

@Ken_Rosenthal: DEAL IS DONE: #Cubs send Samardzija and Hammel to #Athletics for Addison Russell, per sources. May be other players and team(s) involved.

I give it a 0% chance the Royals are involved. I'm smart.

[dmahurin]

Originally Posted by Bowser

I give it a 0% chance the Royals are involved. I'm smart.

I agree, but it's pretty big baseball news, and not worthy of its own thread.

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by dmahurin

I agree, but it's pretty big baseball news, and not worthy of its own thread.

Yeah, no worries. Just kind of a long, round about way of making the point of we won't bring anyone in via trade or anything. Good for the Athletics to go for it and get some firepower in there. Would be sweet if we could do that.

[Bowser]

What time is the game tomorrow? Yes, I am incredibly lazy to not look it up myself.

[teedubya]

I love it when the Colosseum fills up like a colostomy bag. That stadium is such a shithole, literally. I've been there, it's horrible. Those players can't be happy in that shitty stadium the Athletics use.

[Prison Bitch]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

Ventura easily but Ned would never do it.

Also Zimmer has to be our top prospect despite his arm issues. His second half last year was future 1-starter caliber. He may never get past those issues but we don't know that right now and that makes him remain our top player

Ok I'll retract my comment here: Even Ned couldn't possibly bypass Ventura in a wild card game. It's not possible. He couldn't possibly justify any other decision to his team. They'd revolt if Ventura wasn't the choice. He's a freak.

[BWillie]

Gahhh how am I gonna see some of the game tomorrow

[duncan_idaho]

A's putting their cards on the table and going all in. Really, really good team that just got a little bit better.

The Cubs' collection of young position talent is insane-ridiculous-whatever you want to call it.

First of all, they have an established young, power-hitting 1B in Anthony Rizzo (who is just 24) and an established, young SS in Starlin Castro who has bounced back in a big way from a terrible 2013.

Kris Bryant is the top power prospect in the minors and probably baseball. He's going to stick at 3B, but could be a plus RF, too, if needed.

Javier Baez is a ridiculous SS prospect with 40 HR power potential.

Jorge Soler is another crazy power prospect who signed a huge deal out of Cuba.

Addison Russell is a do-it-all SS with power and could be ready for the majors as soon as next season. Plug glove, plus hit, plus run, plus power.

Throw in that Kyle Schwarber has been absolutely demolishing the baseball since being drafted, and it just keeps getting better. Schwarber is going to make it to A+ ball and maybe even AA before the year is over. He has a 1.200 OPS (yes, you read that right) in a very small sample size at A ball, but honestly I don't know what else he has to prove there.

In Bryant, Baez, Russell, and Schwarber, the A's have FOUR position players who will likely rank in the top 15 of baseball prospects, consensus. And they're all going to arrive in the next two years.

That's not even mentioning the several excellent complementary pieces (2B Arismendy Alcantara, who has a .900 OPS at AAA right now, with a SLG around .550; CF Albert Amora, a toolsy young CF who will be a top 75 prospect; CJ Edwards, who got off to a great start in AA this year; Billy McKinney, also acquired in this deal, who put up a .964 OPS in full-season ball at age 18 last year).

Epstein is doing some pretty impressive things there on the North Side. Watch this offseason... he will move Castro for some pitching (young, long-term controlled offensive SS on team friendly-deal) and set up what could be a real dynasty.

At least by next season, we'll no longer be hearing about the Royals and "best farm system ever" ... don't see any way that's not chalked up as the Cubs.

[tk13]

Originally Posted by Bowser

Yeah, no worries. Just kind of a long, round about way of making the point of we won't bring anyone in via trade or anything. Good for the Athletics to go for it and get some firepower in there. Would be sweet if we could do that.

We did trade one of the best prospects in baseball for two years of a starting pitcher. To be fair the Royals have probably "went for it" as much as any team in baseball these last two years, it just didn't happen during the season.

[C3HIEF3S]

Ventura's pitching delivery is just so smooth. He makes throwing triple digits look like cake.

[Three7s]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

A's putting their cards on the table and going all in. Really, really good team that just got a little bit better.

The Cubs' collection of young position talent is insane-ridiculous-whatever you want to call it.

First of all, they have an established young, power-hitting 1B in Anthony Rizzo (who is just 24) and an established, young SS in Starlin Castro who has bounced back in a big way from a terrible 2013.

Kris Bryant is the top power prospect in the minors and probably baseball. He's going to stick at 3B, but could be a plus RF, too, if needed.

Javier Baez is a ridiculous SS prospect with 40 HR power potential.

Jorge Soler is another crazy power prospect who signed a huge deal out of Cuba.

Addison Russell is a do-it-all SS with power and could be ready for the majors as soon as next season. Plug glove, plus hit, plus run, plus power.

Throw in that Kyle Schwarber has been absolutely demolishing the baseball since being drafted, and it just keeps getting better. Schwarber is going to make it to A+ ball and maybe even AA before the year is over. He has a 1.200 OPS (yes, you read that right) in a very small sample size at A ball, but honestly I don't know what else he has to prove there.

In Bryant, Baez, Russell, and Schwarber, the A's have FOUR position players who will likely rank in the top 15 of baseball prospects, consensus. And they're all going to arrive in the next two years.

That's not even mentioning the several excellent complementary pieces (2B Arismendy Alcantara, who has a .900 OPS at AAA right now, with a SLG around .550; CF Albert Amora, a toolsy young CF who will be a top 75 prospect; CJ Edwards, who got off to a great start in AA this year; Billy McKinney, also acquired in this deal, who put up a .964 OPS in full-season ball at age 18 last year).

Epstein is doing some pretty impressive things there on the North Side. Watch this offseason... he will move Castro for some pitching (young, long-term controlled offensive SS on team friendly-deal) and set up what could be a real dynasty.

At least by next season, we'll no longer be hearing about the Royals and "best farm system ever" ... don't see any way that's not chalked up as the Cubs.

I've always rooted for the Cubs. They're like the Royals in a lot of ways, and for the wrong reasons. I hope they have long-term success.

[KChiefs1]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

A's putting their cards on the table and going all in. Really, really good team that just got a little bit better.

The Cubs' collection of young position talent is insane-ridiculous-whatever you want to call it.

First of all, they have an established young, power-hitting 1B in Anthony Rizzo (who is just 24) and an established, young SS in Starlin Castro who has bounced back in a big way from a terrible 2013.

Kris Bryant is the top power prospect in the minors and probably baseball. He's going to stick at 3B, but could be a plus RF, too, if needed.

Javier Baez is a ridiculous SS prospect with 40 HR power potential.

Jorge Soler is another crazy power prospect who signed a huge deal out of Cuba.

Addison Russell is a do-it-all SS with power and could be ready for the majors as soon as next season. Plug glove, plus hit, plus run, plus power.

Throw in that Kyle Schwarber has been absolutely demolishing the baseball since being drafted, and it just keeps getting better. Schwarber is going to make it to A+ ball and maybe even AA before the year is over. He has a 1.200 OPS (yes, you read that right) in a very small sample size at A ball, but honestly I don't know what else he has to prove there.

In Bryant, Baez, Russell, and Schwarber, the A's have FOUR position players who will likely rank in the top 15 of baseball prospects, consensus. And they're all going to arrive in the next two years.

That's not even mentioning the several excellent complementary pieces (2B Arismendy Alcantara, who has a .900 OPS at AAA right now, with a SLG around .550; CF Albert Amora, a toolsy young CF who will be a top 75 prospect; CJ Edwards, who got off to a great start in AA this year; Billy McKinney, also acquired in this deal, who put up a .964 OPS in full-season ball at age 18 last year).

Epstein is doing some pretty impressive things there on the North Side. Watch this offseason... he will move Castro for some pitching (young, long-term controlled offensive SS on team friendly-deal) and set up what could be a real dynasty.

At least by next season, we'll no longer be hearing about the Royals and "best farm system ever" ... don't see any way that's not chalked up as the Cubs.

I'll be interested to see how it all works out for them...after all they are the Cubs.