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.

[AndChiefs]

Originally Posted by alnorth

Salvador Perez has been announced as the starting catcher for tomorrow's all-star game (replacing the injured Wieters). Salvy will bat 9th.

So ridiculous he got in.

[Archie F. Swin]

Originally Posted by AndChiefs

So ridiculous he got in.

in for the pick off of Puig

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Adam Dunn is one of the worst players in baseball since he's joined the American League.

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Adam Dunn is one of the worst players in baseball since he's joined the American League.

He can still crush from time to time, but his BA has been utter shit, and that's not to mention how often he K's.

That said, at this point right now it would be a legit debate as to who would help a team trying to contend more between him and Butler.

[DeepSouth]

I'm going to go against the Chiefsplanet norm and show a little optimism for the Royals. Before winning 3 our of 4 from the Royals, the Tigers went 3 for 3 against the A's which have the best record in baseball. They also went 2 for 2 against the Dodgers which have the best record in the National League. The Tigers are playing very well. They are bound to cool off a bit.

Also, the Royals have 12 games left in July against four teams. None of those four teams have winning records.

Also, the Royals play many games against Cleveland, Minnesota, and Chicago to finish the year. The sad part is, so do the Tigers. If the Royals can keep pace with the Tigers, they play six games head-to-head in September. I'd rather the Tigers beat the Royals in May, June, July and have the Royals win the games in September.

As PB detests, I still have faith.

[ChiefsCountry]

Just keep winning series.

PS Also go pick up Alex Rios.

[TLO]

Originally Posted by DeepSouth

I'm going to go against the Chiefsplanet norm and show a little optimism for the Royals. Before winning 3 our of 4 from the Royals, the Tigers went 3 for 3 against the A's which have the best record in baseball. They also went 2 for 2 against the Dodgers which have the best record in the National League. The Tigers are playing very well. They are bound to cool off a bit.

Also, the Royals have 12 games left in July against four teams. None of those four teams have winning records.

Also, the Royals play many games against Cleveland, Minnesota, and Chicago to finish the year. The sad part is, so do the Tigers. If the Royals can keep pace with the Tigers, they play six games head-to-head in September. I'd rather the Tigers beat the Royals in May, June, July and have the Royals win the games in September.

As PB detests, I still have faith.

I also have faith. What will give me more faith is adding a bat or two to this putrid lineup.

[DeepSouth]

Originally Posted by Big Smoke

I also have faith. What will give me more faith is adding a bat or two to this putrid lineup.

If they don't bring in another bat, they should get rid of Ibanez. He's pretty much a guaranteed out every time he bats. I'd platoon Dyson and Aoki (Dyson batting over .300 against RHP, Aoki batting over .350 against LHP). I'd bring back Colon. He showed some spunk. It might be my imagination but I think Colon's presence and great rookie game seemed to light a fire under Infinte. Colon also gives the Royals a legitimate backup at SS and 2nd.

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

An Aoki/Gomes platoon might not be awful, if Aoki has a strong second half. It's possible he's just finished, but it's also possible he returns to being a .280/.350 hitter, which would still be valuable at the top of the lineup.

I'd prefer an everyday guy, too, but Gomes would be better than doing nothing.
If Aoki continues to be ineffective, Dyson and Gomes would be a pretty nice pairing.



I don't think Dunn helps nearly as much as people seem to think it does. And there's the matter of needing to unload Butler in the deal.

This board has always been higher on Dunn than I think he warrants, though. The HR numbers are sexy... the rest of the package, not so much. I think there's a good reason he's never played on a team that wins consistently.

He'd be fine as a complementary piece if you're asking him to hit 6th or 7th and be a three outcome guy from that spot in the lineup, but if you're asking him to hit in the middle, I think you're going to be disappointed.

I think he's a huge upgrade over Butler and can give Hosmer a day off or a day to DH without losing too much. 2 of those 3 outcomes aren't too shabby. He hit's HR's and gets on base. I also don't think you have to trade Butler. Just use him to PH or release his fat ass. He's affordable in $ and in prospects.

[alnorth]

When was the last time we had a player start in the all-star game? For some reason I'm thinking Damon and/or Dye, but I might be wrong. Anyone know?

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by alnorth

When was the last time we had a player start in the all-star game? For some reason I'm thinking Damon and/or Dye, but I might be wrong. Anyone know?

Dye in 2000, iirc

[TLO]

Originally Posted by alnorth

When was the last time we had a player start in the all-star game? For some reason I'm thinking Damon and/or Dye, but I might be wrong. Anyone know?

I believe the TV broadcast a few days back said it was Dye in 2000.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

I think he's a huge upgrade over Butler and can give Hosmer a day off or a day to DH without losing too much. 2 of those 3 outcomes aren't too shabby. He hit's HR's and gets on base. I also don't think you have to trade Butler. Just use him to PH or release his fat ass. He's affordable in $ and in prospects.

I don't think he's a huge upgrade over Butler. It's just trading one flawed player for another. Dunn is having a better season but it is not any better than the season Butler put up last year. The HR totals are nice but everything else is poor.

Anyway, if you think the Royals are going to release Butler - and still pay him the $4 million they owe him for the rest of the season, as is required - I think you're gravely mistaken. $11 million to go from Butler to Dunn? If they're willing to make that type of cash outlay, there are a lot more impactful guys who could be acquired at that price.

Dunn is also an enormous defensive downgrade from Hosmer. He's a pretty shitty first baseman with no range. Not much difference than playing Butler there, honestly.

[ChiefsCountry]

[Jive Ass]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Baltimore Orioles fans think this is a good trade, probably. But it's far off the mark in what it would take to get Stanton.

Why does Miami - a team that's going nowhere this season - want James Shields?

Why does Miami a middling reliever who's about to hit arbitration and become expensive?

Moustakas and Colon maybe have some value to the Marlins, but as throw in piecess.

This is one of those trades that might work on MLB The Show on Playstation but makes no sense for either team in real life.

You want to talk about a cheap owner who abuses his local fanbase? Talk about Jeffrey Loria, who swindled the city of Miami into building a new ballpark for him with public funds and has since reneged on his "Changed ways" as an owner. He makes David Glass look like Steinbrenner by comparison.

If the Marlins trade Stanton, it will assuredly be for a package centered almost entirely around prospects. There might be 1-2 players with MLB experience in there, but they will be cheap young guys, not established stars with salaries north of $10 million/year.

KC would need to surrender:

RA Mondesi
Miguel Almonte/Christian Binford (pick one)
Ventura/Duffy (Pick one)

and that's just where it STARTS for Stanton. Likely would require a few more valuable pieces.

Substitute Crow for Herrera, but instead of Ventura or Duffy why not tempt them Wade Davis and they can convert him to a starter. He is cost-controlled the next few years which should help them out in their decision.

I wouldn't mind parting with Dyson, Aoki, Collins, Guthrie or Hayes, either. The Marlins can take their pick.