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.

[Chiefspants]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

I saw Dayton Moore speak today. Lot of questions asked of him were bad, but there were a lot of good ones. Some cliffs:

- The bidding for Beltran was very close. Talking about a small amount of money, but he thought Carlos wanted to be a Yank all along. If Cano resigns with New York, Beltran probably is a Royal.

- Taking steps to ensure Zimmer is still available to pitch in September and October and hasn't run up against his innings limit.

- Manaea talked about as potentially being in line to help in 2015

- Stressed patience/Torii Hunter taking 6 years when talking about Bubba Starling and his development. He's very sure of his natural ability and physical tools. Talked about needing to give him a chance to let his natural ability at the plate catch up to his competition level. He's got the skill but high school experience hurt him.

- Brad Penny signing was based on connections to staff. Sounds like he was already living in KC. Also sounds like he will be looked at as a SP.

- Interesting comments about John Lamb. They're looking for the velocity to bump up a half-grade on all his pitches. Very pleased with his command and other pitching skills.

- Talked about working with Duffy on picking his spots for max velo and using that to help him work late into games.

- Expects .240-.260 with 25 HR and very good D from Moose (My take: If you get this, you're in really good shape)

Was Santana or questions over additional spending addressed at all?

[mr. tegu]

When did we trade Justin Maxwell for Jason Maxwell? Is Jason any good?

[Sure-Oz]

Royals should look into this as a possibility as well.



A.J. Burnett plans to pitch in 2014 and is thought to be open to offers from all teams.
Burnett stated at the end of the 2013 season that he was either going to retire or return for one final season in Pittsburgh, but he has apparently changed his mind. "I suspect he is going to open himself up to the market," a source told Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on Tuesday. Burnett, 37, registered an outstanding 3.30 ERA, 1.215 WHIP and 209/67 K/BB ratio in 191 innings last year for the Pirates.
Source: Travis Sawchik on Twitter
Jan 28 - 4:50 PM

[Chiefspants]

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

Royals should look into this as a possibility as well.



A.J. Burnett plans to pitch in 2014 and is thought to be open to offers from all teams.
Burnett stated at the end of the 2013 season that he was either going to retire or return for one final season in Pittsburgh, but he has apparently changed his mind. "I suspect he is going to open himself up to the market," a source told Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on Tuesday. Burnett, 37, registered an outstanding 3.30 ERA, 1.215 WHIP and 209/67 K/BB ratio in 191 innings last year for the Pirates.
Source: Travis Sawchik on Twitter
Jan 28 - 4:50 PM

This could also help our chances in netting Santana. Teams may be more apt to ink Burnett rather than forfeiting a draft pick to attain Santana.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Chiefspants

Was Santana or questions over additional spending addressed at all?

He said what he has said several times before... David Glass has always made resources available when requested.

On Santana, basically what was in the Star today. They're still in touch. Every day that passes without him signing improves the hope they can bring him back.

[Chiefspants]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

He said what he has said several times before... David Glass has always made resources available when requested.

On Santana, basically what was in the Star today. They're still in touch. Every day that passes without him signing improves the hope they can bring him back.

I had missed the article, thanks!

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Chiefspants

This could also help our chances in netting Santana. Teams may be more apt to ink Burnett rather than forfeiting a draft pick to attain Santana.

The only team I can see getting Santana would be the Blue Jays, as both of their first round picks (they have two) is protected.

http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2014/1/2...=articlebottom

Toronto would only be required to lose their second-round selection as both of their first rounders are protected.

[Sure-Oz]

Originally Posted by Coach

The only team I can see getting Santana would be the Blue Jays, as both of their first round picks (they have two) is protected.

http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2014/1/2...=articlebottom

What a load of crap...that would be worst case scenario for the Royals getting a lower pick if they lose Santana

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

What a load of crap...that would be worst case scenario for the Royals getting a lower pick if they lose Santana

I agree as well.

[Coach]

Security wise, a one year isn't good for Santana, which I can understand and respect that, but if he would come back to KC for a one year deal for whatever is reasonable for a one year deal, and if he pitches lights-out like what he did in 2013 or better, then I think that would send a message to the MLB GM's and Owners that he had two solid seasons in a row, which would enable him to at least get a good multi-year contract that he is looking for.

Just my opinion.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by stonedstooge

Get us some more of those awesome pictures.

Hopefully the wife can tag along to do that.

I'd love to meet up with any of you that are coming to town during Spring Training.

[kcchiefsus]

Originally Posted by Coach

The only team I can see getting Santana would be the Blue Jays, as both of their first round picks (they have two) is protected.

http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2014/1/2...=articlebottom

Why are they protected?

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by kcchiefsus

Why are they protected?

Top 10 picks are always protected, so their No. 9 pick is safe. The Blue Jays also have a comp pick for not being able to sign Phil Bickford from the 2013 draft (No. 11). That pick is always protected the next year.

In that case, they would sacrifice the second round pick.

[sedated]

Im sorry but no way I see Santana taking a 1 year deal. Even if he duplicates his great season, he is just 1 year older when it ends. He will take the longest contract offered.

But I will say that, assuming there is no way in hell Shields re-signs here, Santana would not be a bad option to give a few years. I would guess 3 is the minimum.

[alnorth]

Originally Posted by sedated

Im sorry but no way I see Santana taking a 1 year deal. Even if he duplicates his great season, he is just 1 year older when it ends. He will take the longest contract offered.

But I will say that, assuming there is no way in hell Shields re-signs here, Santana would not be a bad option to give a few years. I would guess 3 is the minimum.

Yep, there is not a chance in hell he takes a 1 year deal. It may be less than 14MM AAV, but he'll take the best long-term deal available, at least 3 years.