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.

[Fansy the Famous Bard]

Originally Posted by tyton75

I'm really starting to worry about who the backup infielder will be for Infante/Esky. I don't think Valencia can play all the spots, can he?

Ciriaco didn't look good in the field last night.

[Archie F. Swin]

So, it looks like MLB.tv will not be showing opening day games.
http://mlb.mlb.com/mediacenter/index...date=3/31/2014
This doesn't make any sense whatsoever. I understand MLB wants butts in the seats, but I don't live in the Royals media mkt. That's why I watch Royals games on MLB.tv!!

[dallaschiefsfan]

Originally Posted by tyton75

I'm really starting to worry about who the backup infielder will be for Infante/Esky. I don't think Valencia can play all the spots, can he?

Pretty irrelevant, IMO. They have the Omaha pipeline up the road during half their games. As long as you can get through one game of Infante playing SS (if Escobar goes down) and Valencia or Moose playing 2B (if Infante goes down, then it's not really a pressing question. For that matter, I heard a random mention at some point during one of the ST telecasts that Yost thinks Moose can still play a decent SS in a pinch, if need be (he was drafted as a SS).

Point is...none of these are "great" options...they're just one-game emergency options. They HAVE indicated that if they wanted to give Escobar a game off, they put Valencia at 2B and Infante at SS, where he used to play as a utility guy back in the day.

[dallaschiefsfan]

Originally Posted by Archie F. Swin

So, it looks like MLB.tv will not be showing opening day games.
http://mlb.mlb.com/mediacenter/index...date=3/31/2014
This doesn't make any sense whatsoever. I understand MLB wants butts in the seats, but I don't live in the Royals media mkt. That's why I watch Royals games on MLB.tv!!

And apparently, they're not broadcasting any audio/radio either...according to that page! CRAZY!!! >end sarcasm<

Dude...all the regular season game lineups/schedule are BLANK. You could calm down and think this through. They simply haven't updated their mlb.tv lineups for the start of the season. It will be on mlb.tv. Bank on it.

[alnorth]

Originally Posted by tyton75

I'm really starting to worry about who the backup infielder will be for Infante/Esky. I don't think Valencia can play all the spots, can he?

He just needs to play 2B for 2 or 3 days next month. It won't be pretty, but he probably won't hurt us. Infante can cover for Escobar.

I think the plan is to wait until some injury in April or early May fixes the problem for us and we can bring up someone to give them a rest in May/June. If we are blessed enough to have no position player go on the DL for the first 2 months, then thats a good problem to have.

[alnorth]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/r...ed-away-032514

Interesting article, the Mariners pulled a cheeseball move that I'd have expected out of the 90's Royals. They lost one of their top 5 SP options to free agency this week all over $1MM.

[Archie F. Swin]

Originally Posted by dallaschiefsfan

It will be on mlb.tv. Bank on it.

but, but....I believe everything I see on the interwebs.

[alnorth]

The Pirates just locked up Starling Marte to a long-term deal. 7 years (including some options) starting in 2015, 31MM, that buys out 3 of his free agent years.

Marte was an international player who didn't get much of a signing bonus, so he's one of those guys (like Salvy Perez) who are more willing to sign this sort of thing. Hopefully we can work out one of those deals with Ventura if he does well this season, good for the Pirates.

[alnorth]

OK, we've got some real news this morning.

Sounds like Louis Coleman could begin the season on the DL. Has a bone bruise in that middle finger. He won't make trip to Milwaukee.

— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) March 26, 2014

The Royals are contemplating taking 11 pitchers to start the season now, with a backup middle infielder to protect Omar Infante.

— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) March 26, 2014

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by alnorth

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/r...ed-away-032514

Interesting article, the Mariners pulled a cheeseball move that I'd have expected out of the 90's Royals. They lost one of their top 5 SP options to free agency this week all over $1MM.

If Wolf is healthy, might be worth kicking the tires on and adding some more rotation depth.

[alnorth]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

If Wolf is healthy, might be worth kicking the tires on and adding some more rotation depth.

Was thinking the same thing, if Chen is a dumpster fire and Duffy isn't ready yet, it'd be nice to have another lefty.

[alnorth]

The media's opening day payroll estimates are out:

1. LA Dodgers $235,295,219
2. NY Yankees $203,812,506
3. Philadelphia Phillies $180,052,723
4. Boston Red Sox $162,817,411
5. Detroit Tigers $162,228,527
6. LA Angels $155,692,000
7. San Francisco Giants $154,185,878
8. Texas Rangers $136,036,172
9. Washington Nationals $134,704,437
10. Toronto Blue Jays $132,628,700
11. Arizona Diamondbacks $112,688,666
12. Cincinnati Reds $112,390,772
13. St. Louis Cardinals $111,020,360
14. Atlanta Braves $110,897,341
15. Baltimore Orioles $107,406,623
16. Milwaukee Brewers $103,844,806
17. Colorado Rockies $95,832,071
18. Seattle Mariners $92,081,943
19. Kansas City Royals $92,034,345
20. Chicago White Sox $91,159,254
21. San Diego Padres $90,094,196
22. NY Mets $89,051,758
23. Chicago Cubs $89,007,857
24. Minnesota Twins $85,776,500
25. Oakland A's $83,401,400
26. Cleveland Indians $82,534,800
27. Pittsburgh Pirates $78,111,667
28. Tampa Bay Rays $77,062,891
29. Miami Marlins $47,565,400
30. Houston Astros $44,544,174

The Astros are whining about their estimate, mentioning that they have to send about $5MM to another team for example, which is fair but those kinds of things have never been included in these rankings.

[Canofbier]

Originally Posted by alnorth

OK, we've got some real news this morning.

Sounds like Louis Coleman could begin the season on the DL. Has a bone bruise in that middle finger. He won't make trip to Milwaukee.

— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) March 26, 2014

I don't recall actually having seen him pitch, but I seem to remember that it's been a rough spring for 'ol Cole Slaw. Maybe the injury had something to do with it?

[Canofbier]

Originally Posted by alnorth

The media's opening day payroll estimates are out:

1. LA Dodgers $235,295,219
2. NY Yankees $203,812,506
3. Philadelphia Phillies $180,052,723
4. Boston Red Sox $162,817,411
5. Detroit Tigers $162,228,527
6. LA Angels $155,692,000
7. San Francisco Giants $154,185,878
8. Texas Rangers $136,036,172
9. Washington Nationals $134,704,437
10. Toronto Blue Jays $132,628,700
11. Arizona Diamondbacks $112,688,666
12. Cincinnati Reds $112,390,772
13. St. Louis Cardinals $111,020,360
14. Atlanta Braves $110,897,341
15. Baltimore Orioles $107,406,623
16. Milwaukee Brewers $103,844,806
17. Colorado Rockies $95,832,071
18. Seattle Mariners $92,081,943
19. Kansas City Royals $92,034,345
20. Chicago White Sox $91,159,254
21. San Diego Padres $90,094,196
22. NY Mets $89,051,758
23. Chicago Cubs $89,007,857
24. Minnesota Twins $85,776,500
25. Oakland A's $83,401,400
26. Cleveland Indians $82,534,800
27. Pittsburgh Pirates $78,111,667
28. Tampa Bay Rays $77,062,891
29. Miami Marlins $47,565,400
30. Houston Astros $44,544,174

The Astros are whining about their estimate, mentioning that they have to send about $5MM to another team for example, which is fair but those kinds of things have never been included in these rankings.

Sheesh - I knew our payroll would be higher this year, but I didn't realize it would put us as the second-highest in our division.

[alnorth]

In all seriousness, credit the Royals for bowing to reality BEFORE the season begins. Just like with moving Hochevar to the pen last year.

— Rany Jazayerli (@jazayerli) March 26, 2014