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.

[SPATCH]

I keep having this dream where the Royals make it to the World Series without me knowing....

The dream happens the same way every time... in every dream I happen to stumble into a bar or someplace where they are showing the final game of the series, and I happen to catch the last few outs where we clinch the series. I watch all of the guys storm the field after the final out and I feel happy, but very underwhelmed at the same time.

Had this dream last night for the fourth or fifth time. Not sure what to make of it.

[Fansy the Famous Bard]

Originally Posted by the_spatula

I keep having this dream where the Royals make it to the World Series without me knowing....

The dream happens the same way every time... in every dream I happen to stumble into a bar or someplace where they are showing the final game of the series, and I happen to catch the last few outs where we clinch the series. I watch all of the guys storm the field after the final out and I feel happy, but very underwhelmed at the same time.

Had this dream last night for the fourth or fifth time. Not sure what to make of it.

You're not allowed to follow the Royals this year. k?

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Chiefspants

The Royals would never do this, but the only way I'd be okay with the move is if they move Hos to RF. If they cut ties with Hoch and Davis, it may be possible salary wise as well.

This lineup would be freaking sick.

1. Aoki
2. Hosmer
3. Morales
4. Gordon
5. Butler
6. Salvy
7. Moose
8. Escobar
9. Infante

But, alas, the Royals would never do it.

Gordon and Butler are both better hitters than Kendrys Morales.

Morales and Butler put up nearly identical seasons a year ago. But where as Butler's year was a down year for him, Morales' year was on par with what he has done since coming back from that devastating ankle injury.

Morales does not = Billy Butler. He's older, would be far more expensive (probably 2x as much in salary, plus draft pick compensation), and is actually and even worse runner than Butler.

[Three7s]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Gordon and Butler are both better hitters than Kendrys Morales.

Morales and Butler put up nearly identical seasons a year ago. But where as Butler's year was a down year for him, Morales' year was on par with what he has done since coming back from that devastating ankle injury.

Morales does not = Billy Butler. He's older, would be far more expensive (probably 2x as much in salary, plus draft pick compensation), and is actually and even worse runner than Butler.

It's hard to believe anyone being slower than Billy Butler.

[Ceej]

Wasn't Morales the jackass who tore his ACL celebrating a walk off?

[Three7s]

Originally Posted by Ceej

Wasn't Morales the jackass who tore his ACL celebrating a walk off?

Yes. I cringe every time I see one of those walk-off beat-downs teams do after game-winning hits.

[WhawhaWhat]

Originally Posted by Three7s

It's hard to believe anyone being slower than Billy Butler.

He's never been quite the same since breaking his leg/ankle.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Three7s

It's hard to believe anyone being slower than Billy Butler.

I know, but he is slower. Cost his team more runs on the basepaths than Butler and was actually worse defensively in similarly limited action.

That ankle injury destroyed his lower half.

[ChiTown]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Gordon and Butler are both better hitters than Kendrys Morales.

Morales and Butler put up nearly identical seasons a year ago. But where as Butler's year was a down year for him, Morales' year was on par with what he has done since coming back from that devastating ankle injury.

Morales does not = Billy Butler. He's older, would be far more expensive (probably 2x as much in salary, plus draft pick compensation), and is actually and even worse runner than Butler.

NFW on Morales. That would make ZERO sense for a number of reasons - especially for the reasons you list above. He can hit for more power, but his K/Walk ratio is much worse than Billy, has a worse OPS and is not a Doubles machine like BB. That would be awful

[WhawhaWhat]

BTW, Kendrys Morales' agent is Scott Boras.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Ceej

Wasn't Morales the jackass who tore his ACL celebrating a walk off?

He destroyed his ankle after hitting a walk-off granny.

Video here.

Jumped, landed. Believe it was a compound fracture of his ankle and possibly a fracture of one of the small bones in the lower leg. Rehab also went poorly, which is why he missed almost 2 full seasons. You can tell from this clip, too, comparing it to pictures of him now, he has probably put on 20-30 pounds since the injury.

Originally Posted by Three7s

It's hard to believe anyone being slower than Billy Butler.

To further elaborate on this, check out the chart in this article: About 1/3 down the page.

Cliffs: Morales has been measured at costing his team 28.2 runs since he debuted in 2006 (Butler debuted in 2007). Butler is measured as costing the Royals 31.7 runs. So Morales' total comes out to 89 percent of Butler's total.

Sounds like they're about the same then, right? Well, they're not... because Morales total comes in 2284 PA, while Butler's comes in 4064 PA. Morales has just 56 percent of Butler's PA but has cost his team nearly as many runs on the bases.

Spread Morales' total out to the same number of PAs as Billy, and you're looking at Morales costing you 50.2 runs... or 58 percent more than Butler.

Morales isn't just worse than Butler. He's SIGNIFICANTLY worse on the bases than Billy Butler.

[AndChiefs]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

He destroyed his ankle after hitting a walk-off granny.

Video here.

Jumped, landed. Believe it was a compound fracture of his ankle and possibly a fracture of one of the small bones in the lower leg. Rehab also went poorly, which is why he missed almost 2 full seasons. You can tell from this clip, too, comparing it to pictures of him now, he has probably put on 20-30 pounds since the injury.



To further elaborate on this, check out the chart in this article: About 1/3 down the page.

Cliffs: Morales has been measured at costing his team 28.2 runs since he debuted in 2006 (Butler debuted in 2007). Butler is measured as costing the Royals 31.7 runs. So Morales' total comes out to 89 percent of Butler's total.

Sounds like they're about the same then, right? Well, they're not... because Morales total comes in 2284 PA, while Butler's comes in 4064 PA. Morales has just 56 percent of Butler's PA but has cost his team nearly as many runs on the bases.

Spread Morales' total out to the same number of PAs as Billy, and you're looking at Morales costing you 50.2 runs... or 58 percent more than Butler.

Morales isn't just worse than Butler. He's SIGNIFICANTLY worse on the bases than Billy Butler.

That's pretty darn impressive.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by AndChiefs

That's pretty darn impressive.

KC fans have always focused too much on Butler's baserunning. He's not good at it - he's really bad at it, in fact - but he's not unique in that amongst other DH/1B types.

[AndChiefs]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

KC fans have always focused too much on Butler's baserunning. He's not good at it - he's really bad at it, in fact - but he's not unique in that amongst other DH/1B types.

I think it's partly because there's not many true DH's out there so there's not many to compare him to. And 1B has some slow guys like that but I'd still put most of them as superior baserunners to Billy.

There's definitely no reason to get rid of him, however. Even though he does clog the basepaths.

[Three7s]

Originally Posted by AndChiefs

I think it's partly because there's not many true DH's out there so there's not many to compare him to. And 1B has some slow guys like that but I'd still put most of them as superior baserunners to Billy.

There's definitely no reason to get rid of him, however. Even though he does clog the basepaths.

I think what everyone clamors on about is that most of the "true" DHs, while slow like Billy, could hit homers with regularity. Butler hits around 20+ HRs a year, while most of the DHs I remember like Thome or Giambi would hit 40+ a year.