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]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

I have been to a Sporting game.

I just can't get really into soccer... especially something that I know is the equivalent of A baseball on the world stage (or basically a half-step up from the T-Bones).

Championships are cool and all, but when you're talking about the 8th or 9th best league in the world... I just can't get super excited about.

Double-A (transitioning to Triple-A) is probably a better comparison competition-wise.

The league is littered with guys who could easily play for teams in the mid- to lower levels of the premier league.

[alnorth]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

I'm not going to root for a football or baseball team that isn't local. So that leaves Royals and Chiefs (I liked the Cardinals/loved the Royals until spending 8 years living around Cardinals fan at Mizzou/in St. Louis. Still like and respect the team, but hate their t-shirt, front-runner fans. Note: This does not include all fans or passionate fans, with whom I enjoy talking baseball.)

Maybe you could try mixing in some of the individual combat sports as well, like MMA or boxing? I've got KU during the Winter, so I can't imagine how it feels to be Kansas/Chiefs/Mizzou, but I agree with your stance against front-running.

One thing thats been a welcome respite from the endless pain of Royals baseball in the summer for me is seeing the occasional interesting UFC card, especially when one or more of my favorite fighters are on it.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by SPATCH

Double-A (transitioning to Triple-A) is probably a better comparison competition-wise.

The league is littered with guys who could easily play for teams in the mid- to lower levels of the premier league.

I'm not a huge soccer buff, but what I've been told by friends is that it's about the 8th or 9th best league in the world.

For Baseball:

1.MLB
2.AAA
3. NPL (Japan)
4. AA/KBO (Korea - maybe slots better at High-A)
6. A+
7. College baseball
8. A ball
9. Independent A ball (Frontier, etc)
10. Rookie ball

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by alnorth

Maybe you could try mixing in some of the individual combat sports as well, like MMA or boxing? I've got KU during the Winter, so I can't imagine how it feels to be Kansas/Chiefs/Mizzou, but I agree with your stance against front-running.

One thing thats been a welcome respite from the endless pain of Royals baseball in the summer for me is seeing the occasional interesting UFC card, especially when one or more of my favorite fighters are on it.

I'd rather not watch sports than watch UFC.

I love baseball/football/basketball... but other than that... well, I have other interests and things on which to spend my time.

[WhawhaWhat]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

That whining stuff from "Unnamed Royals official" is just infuriating.

::cough:: Dan Glass ::cough::

[AndChiefs]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Because I'm not a bandwagon fan who just roots for teams because they're good?

Did you at least go to school there? Or are you another t-shirt fan?

I'm not going to root for a football or baseball team that isn't local. So that leaves Royals and Chiefs (I liked the Cardinals/loved the Royals until spending 8 years living around Cardinals fan at Mizzou/in St. Louis. Still like and respect the team, but hate their t-shirt, front-runner fans. Note: This does not include all fans or passionate fans, with whom I enjoy talking baseball.)

And I'm certainly going to root for my alma mater in college sports. Guys that have "secondary" teams or that root for a team other than their alma mater are front runners. And I'd rather not watch sports than be that (that's what was ingrained in me by my family, my dad included. I'm a 4x legacy graduate of Mizzou).

I don't mind secondary teams as long as there is a sound reason. For example, I have a secondary team in college (Michigan State) who I would root for in a majority of situations because it's my dad's alma mater. I would never root for them against my own alma mater but it does give me some other rooting interests when they're not playing. I also doubt many would say rooting for MSU is a front runner position.

Similarly, I lived in the Northwest for about half my life so I became somewhat of a Seahawks fan (even when they sucked). I would still root for the Chiefs in any situation but at least I was able to somewhat enjoy the Super Bowl win (especially because it was against the Broncos). It's not the same as a Chiefs win would be but it was still pretty nice to be rooting for a winner for once.

[mr. tegu]

As I have gotten older the appeal of being completely invested in a specific college team has worn off. Being born and raised in Kansas sort of just leaves you as a KU fan, especially with the consistent winning of the basketball program. But it is hard to get really worked up about teenagers and kids in their early 20s the way I used to when I was younger.

I root for them and am happy for them when they win, but I don't find it necessary to watch every game, get too excited after a win, or get too low after a loss. College sports are much more appealing to me now for the competitive and athletic aspect in general, across all teams, as opposed to being solely invested in one team.

I would never feel that way about the Chiefs and Royals. I just can't quit them, not that I would want to though.

[ChiTown]

Originally Posted by AndChiefs

I don't mind secondary teams as long as there is a sound reason. For example, I have a secondary team in college (Michigan State) who I would root for in a majority of situations because it's my dad's alma mater. I would never root for them against my own alma mater but it does give me some other rooting interests when they're not playing. I also doubt many would say rooting for MSU is a front runner position.

Similarly, I lived in the Northwest for about half my life so I became somewhat of a Seahawks fan (even when they sucked). I would still root for the Chiefs in any situation but at least I was able to somewhat enjoy the Super Bowl win (especially because it was against the Broncos). It's not the same as a Chiefs win would be but it was still pretty nice to be rooting for a winner for once.

I have no secondary teams. I grew up in KC

College - Kansas State - my alma mater
MLB - Royals
NFL - Chiefs
NBA - Bulls - I lived there for years, and KC no longer has a franchise
NHL - Blackhawks - same as the above.

After that, all other teams can drink from an AIDS fountain.

[AndChiefs]

Originally Posted by ChiTown

I have no secondary teams. I grew up in KC

College - Kansas State - my alma mater
MLB - Royals
NFL - Chiefs
NBA - Bulls - I lived there for years, and KC no longer has a franchise
NHL - Blackhawks - same as the above.

After that, all other teams can drink from an AIDS fountain.

It might be because half my formative years were in the Midwest while the other half were in the Northwest. And you couldn't watch the Chiefs/Royals in the NW back then.

[AndChiefs]

Originally Posted by ChiTown

I have no secondary teams. I grew up in KC

College - Kansas State - my alma mater
MLB - Royals
NFL - Chiefs
NBA - Bulls - I lived there for years, and KC no longer has a franchise
NHL - Blackhawks - same as the above.

After that, all other teams can drink from an AIDS fountain.

College -Texas A&M - my alma mater (Michigan State - family school)
MLB - Royals (Mariners - although I follow them less than I do the Seahawks)
NFL - Chiefs (Seahawks)
NBA - Blazers, I guess. Don't really care about the NBA
NHL - don't care at all.

[mr. tegu]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Guys that have "secondary" teams or that root for a team other than their alma mater are front runners.

That isn't really the definition of a front runner as I see it. Some people probably have the Chiefs and Royals as secondary teams. I don't think anyone would accuse them of being front runners.

[Deberg_1990]

I'm just tired of Glass and Dayton remaining so silent. I mean, how can they find this crap acceptable? put some ultimatums on your team.

It would be different if this was only the 2nd or 3rd year of a rebuild. expectations were to make the playoffs, not just be happy your at the MLB level.
Posted via Mobile Device

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

I'm just tired of Glass and Dayton remaining so silent. I mean, how can they find this crap acceptable? put some ultimatums on your team.
Posted via Mobile Device

When Moore ISN'T remaining silent, he's just doing something that moves the goalposts.

It's like he doesn't understand that there is a record of the things he said in years past on the internet.

[ChiTown]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

When Moore ISN'T remaining silent, he's just doing something that moves the goalposts.

It's like he doesn't understand that there is a record of the things he said in years past on the internet.

Given his lack of understanding and the application of baseball metrics, are we sure he truly understands how the internets work

[alnorth]

The farm system was such a barren dumpster fire when DM was hired, that in my view it was basically impossible for the Royals to win in the first 3 years, no matter what.

So, I'm treating this as basically the 3rd year where its fair to judge the GM. That said, the first year we lost, the second year we traded Wil Myers for 2 years of Shields and won 86 games but failed to make the playoffs, and so far this year isn't very encouraging, so I'm not going to bother defending him unless we make the playoffs.

edit: we're in much better shape now, so if Glass were to hypothetically fire DM after this year or in 2015, I'd start judging the new GM's W/L results immediately.