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.

[DeepSouth]

Originally Posted by AndChiefs

http://www.fangraphs.com/statsplits....ion=C&season=0

thank you sir.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Archie F. Swin

I thought you didn't trade an arm for an arm or a bat for a bat. I thought it was one of the other (especially starters)

Generally, you don't.

The Royals have been to 3 straight Samardzija starts. Unless they're making the trade without including Duffy or Ventura, it doesn't help them win this year, at least not THAT much.

[C3HIEF3S]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Guess the Broxton trade now is a bust with Joseph being DFA.

There's still that JC Sulbaran guy down at AA, he's having a pretty good year IIRC.

[jbwm89]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Generally, you don't.

The Royals have been to 3 straight Samardzija starts. Unless they're making the trade without including Duffy or Ventura, it doesn't help them win this year, at least not THAT much.

It could be an opportunity to replace James Shields for next year and get better this year. Maybe a package that includes Zimmer as the "close to ready" pitcher and another top prospect or two.

I would hate to get rid of Mondesi and Zimmer for Samardzija but that could get it done without moving Duff or Ventura.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by jbwm89

It could be an opportunity to replace James Shields for next year and get better this year. Maybe a package that includes Zimmer as the "close to ready" pitcher and another top prospect or two.

I would hate to get rid of Mondesi and Zimmer for Samardzija but that could get it done without moving Duff or Ventura.

No effing way I make that move.

In two full years as a starter in the NL, Jeff Samardzija has never posted an ERA under 3.83. He started last season hot as well, then turned to dogshit from June on.

March/April 2013: 3.35 ERA, 1.17 WHIP
May 2013: 2.31, 0.91
June 2013: 4.20 ERA, 1.48 WHIP
July 2013: 5.28, 1.57
August 2013: 5.54, 1.49
September/October 2013: 5.58, 1.50

March April 2014: 1.98 ERA, 1.24 ERA
May 2014: 1.32, 0.85
June 2014: 4.82, 1.54

[duncan_idaho]

Better move remains acquiring a bat.

Adrian Beltre is by far the best target for the Royals, so let's hope the Rangers continue to tank.

[AndChiefs]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

No effing way I make that move.

In two full years as a starter in the NL, Jeff Samardzija has never posted an ERA under 3.83. He started last season hot as well, then turned to dogshit from June on.

March/April 2013: 3.35 ERA, 1.17 WHIP
May 2013: 2.31, 0.91
June 2013: 4.20 ERA, 1.48 WHIP
July 2013: 5.28, 1.57
August 2013: 5.54, 1.49
September/October 2013: 5.58, 1.50

March April 2014: 1.98 ERA, 1.24 ERA
May 2014: 1.32, 0.85
June 2014: 4.82, 1.54

Plus he'd be moving from the NL to the AL.

[jbwm89]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

No effing way I make that move.

In two full years as a starter in the NL, Jeff Samardzija has never posted an ERA under 3.83. He started last season hot as well, then turned to dogshit from June on.

March/April 2013: 3.35 ERA, 1.17 WHIP
May 2013: 2.31, 0.91
June 2013: 4.20 ERA, 1.48 WHIP
July 2013: 5.28, 1.57
August 2013: 5.54, 1.49
September/October 2013: 5.58, 1.50

March April 2014: 1.98 ERA, 1.24 ERA
May 2014: 1.32, 0.85
June 2014: 4.82, 1.54

What about for one or the other? Let's say Zimmer and a guy like Jorge Bonafacio or Cuthbert?

I'm not sold on him either, I am just saying there are ways to get this deal done without giving up Duffy/Ventura and moving sideways.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by jbwm89

What about for one or the other? Let's say Zimmer and a guy like Jorge Bonafacio or Cuthbert?

I'm not sold on him either, I am just saying there are ways to get this deal done without giving up Duffy/Ventura and moving sideways.

I'm still not a huge fan of Jeff Samardzija and still not convinced he doesn't go Luke Hochevar on you in the second half of the season.

If they're going to move Zimmer, I'd rather see it be for an impact bat. I absolutely would not include Mondesi in any deal, period, unless it's for David Price.

I'd be interested in seeing what Texas says if offered something like Zimmer, Cuthbert and Moustakas (maybe add a piece or subtract a piece) long before offering a similar package for Jeff Samardzija.

[Chiefspants]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

Go ahead and cite me bashing all the players you listed this year. Back it up or shut it up.

You make this too easy.

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

When will the media turn on Butler and Gordon? They are utter disgraces.

Is there anything more annoying than Gordon hitting a long fly out, and posing like he just hit a 450-foot Barry Bonds rocket? Alex: you suck. You aren't good.

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

The problem is we got dog crap for Zack. Tampa would never trade a David Price for the garbage we got from Milwaukee.

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

Greinke has a 790 OPS, 132 wRC and a 1.0 WAR at the plate this year in only 55 AB. Alshitty Escobar has a 571 OPS, 52 wRC and -2.0 WAR at the plate.



BUT WE WON THE TRADE DAMMIT

And are you still arguing that Salvy should have been platooned when he has a .290 career average against righties? You are a professional at hyperbolic overreactions and as your past posts prove, there is little reason to take your conclusions seriously.

[jbwm89]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

I'm still not a huge fan of Jeff Samardzija and still not convinced he doesn't go Luke Hochevar on you in the second half of the season.

If they're going to move Zimmer, I'd rather see it be for an impact bat. I absolutely would not include Mondesi in any deal, period, unless it's for David Price.

I'd be interested in seeing what Texas says if offered something like Zimmer, Cuthbert and Moustakas (maybe add a piece or subtract a piece) long before offering a similar package for Jeff Samardzija.

If Zimmer didn't have the injury issues I think that is a realistic possibility. I just wonder how much teams are really going to give up in a deal that is centered around a guy who has basically been hurt for a year.

[ChiTown]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Better move remains acquiring a bat.

Adrian Beltre is by far the best target for the Royals, so let's hope the Rangers continue to tank.

after they finish their series with DET

[blake5676]

Originally Posted by Chiefspants

You make this too easy.










And are you still arguing that Salvy should have been platooned when he has a .290 career average against righties? You are a professional at hyperbolic overreactions and as your past posts prove, there is little reason to take your conclusions seriously.

Hahahaha...I love it! Good luck getting the bitch to eat crow, however. The more likely outcome is zero acknowledgement or his standard moving of the goalposts. Good find though!!

[Prison Bitch]

Originally Posted by Chiefspants

You make this too easy.










And are you still arguing that Salvy should have been platooned when he has a .290 career average against righties? You are a professional at hyperbolic overreactions and as your past posts prove, there is little reason to take your conclusions seriously.

I'm not convinced we "won" the Greinke deal. You are? So far Esobar and Cain have been pretty blasé, until this season. If Cain stays healthy then it changes quite a bit. Also you have to NPV trades. Getting some more WAR in the out years doesn't equal getting it now, nor does it account for the fact Milwaukee has already replaced both (with equal or better players mind you) at the same cost.

[Chiefspants]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

I'm not convinced we "won" the Greinke deal. You are? So far Esobar and Cain have been pretty blasé, until this season. If Cain stays healthy then it changes quite a bit. Also you have to NPV trades. Getting some more WAR in the out years doesn't equal getting it now, nor does it account for the fact Milwaukee has already replaced both (with equal or better players mind you) at the same cost.

Still firm on your (Late April 2014) belief that Gordo is an "utter disgrace?"