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.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

Glad we never tried to move any of those pitching prospects. First chance we get that Zimmer shows he's healthy, please trade him.

Immediately.

They DID trade a few of them. Lamb has never really been tradeable because of the timing of his injury.

But the return on the Odorizzi and Montgomery side of things is not awful... Odorizzi looks like he might be a fringe back end guy. Montgomery is starting to pitch decently at AAA but still can't throw a breaking pitch for strikes and has lost some zip on his FB.

Wade Davis was a disaster as a SP but is a bullpen weapon. I wouldn't be surprised to see him traded in the offseason... $7 million is too much for your setup man, but it's not bad for a closer (especially with backup options of $8 million and $10 million, which are very reasonable if he continues to be a bullpen warrior).

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

They DID trade a few of them. Lamb has never really been tradeable because of the timing of his injury.

But the return on the Odorizzi and Montgomery side of things is not awful... Odorizzi looks like he might be a fringe back end guy. Montgomery is starting to pitch decently at AAA but still can't throw a breaking pitch for strikes and has lost some zip on his FB.

Wade Davis was a disaster as a SP but is a bullpen weapon. I wouldn't be surprised to see him traded in the offseason... $7 million is too much for your setup man, but it's not bad for a closer (especially with backup options of $8 million and $10 million, which are very reasonable if he continues to be a bullpen warrior).

Montgomery was traded when he had virtually no value, so I'm really not counting that. When he was at his peak value, he should have been moved.

Since this team is a dumpster fire and in need of a new GM with a clue, I'd love to see DM canned, the new guy brought it, and I'm immediately looking to deal Holland and Shields at the deadline if I can get a strong return.

I'm not making the Soria Mistake II.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

Montgomery was traded when he had virtually no value, so I'm really not counting that. When he was at his peak value, he should have been moved.

Since this team is a dumpster fire and in need of a new GM with a clue, I'd love to see DM canned, the new guy brought it, and I'm immediately looking to deal Holland and Shields at the deadline if I can get a strong return.

I'm not making the Soria Mistake II.

You won't find any team or GM in baseball who is aggressive about trading 20-year-old top 20 pitching prospects. Especially not 6-6 lefties who sit 94-95 and already have a plus changeup. Especially not when his team is not competing for something.

Trevor Bauer is about the only top 20 pitching prospect I can remember being traded of late, and that was Kevin Towers, the man who brought us a bunch of dumbshit trades.

I think it's extreme hindsight to say the Royals should have traded either of Lamb or Montgomery entering the 2011 season.

I have no problem with moving Holland for the right return (young, good, everyday player or starting pitcher) either in-season or in the offseason. YOu don't need both Holland and Wade Davis on this team.

[CaliforniaChief]

Last year, I was hoping that we would move Holland for Joc Pederson. The Dodgers have a stacked outfield, and their bullpen needed help. They're in must-win-now mode.

Pederson has outplayed that trade this year, but he would be a great get.

[C3HIEF3S]

#royals may consider kendrys morales to aid struggling offense. http://t.co/B4NVyQPpuo

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) June 2, 2014

[KCCHIEFS27]

So, the team is contemplating a run at Kendrys Morales, but would first have to offload some money via trade most likely. We claimed Blake Wood through waivers from the Indians, as well. Who exactly are we battling to sign Morales? I don't think any other team needs a bat right now as bad as us. They struck out by not signing Nelson Cruz and now we are going to have to settle for this guy if we want any pop.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

Last year, I was hoping that we would move Holland for Joc Pederson. The Dodgers have a stacked outfield, and their bullpen needed help. They're in must-win-now mode.

Pederson has outplayed that trade this year, but he would be a great get.

Damn, already has 15 HR ... even playing home games in Albequerque in the PCL, that's a lot.

It's a smart target. Something they MIGHT do... Puig and Crawford and Ethier are probably not going anywhere. I'd be willing to add to the trade if necessary, but Holland's value should be very high.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by KCCHIEFS27

So, the team is contemplating a run at Kendrys Morales, but would first have to offload some money via trade most likely. We claimed Blake Wood through waivers from the Indians, as well. Who exactly are we battling to sign Morales? I don't think any other team needs a bat right now as bad as us. They struck out by not signing Nelson Cruz and now we are going to have to settle for this guy if we want any pop.

I don't know what the plan is if you bring in Morales. He's a worse baserunner than Butler (unless he's lost the weight he gained after shattering his ankle), and is really a DH only guy.

Would probably mean you have to move Butler in a trade of some sort, but not sure who would want him (or what you would get) at this point.

[ChiTown]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

I don't know what the plan is if you bring in Morales. He's a worse baserunner than Butler (unless he's lost the weight he gained after shattering his ankle), and is really a DH only guy.

Would probably mean you have to move Butler in a trade of some sort, but not sure who would want him (or what you would get) at this point.

I'd say they are about the same - in both categories. What you get is more power, which this Team desperately needs.

[Chief_For_Life58]

[IMG][/IMG]

[Sure-Oz]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Brooks was top 10 in ERA in the PCL and was 4-1. Everything looked okay what he was doing in Triple A. Emergency starter you normally call somebody up and that is what he did. Just got his shit pushed in. Sucks but that is baseball. Hell even if Zimmer was healthy I don't think they would have burned one start and service time for an emergency start.

40ip 24k told me enough....can't strike out shit in AAA you probably suck

[Sure-Oz]

Apparently GMDM looking to kick the tires on Kendrys Morales but would require a trade of a guy on a roster

[Anyong Bluth]

Good read :


It's 'rebelution' time: Royals' Duffy is too darn blessed to be stressed

http://msn.foxsports.com/kansas-city...tressed-060314

[Anyong Bluth]

Originally Posted by WhawhaWhat

Who is trading for Zimmer at this point?

"You say he has shoulder and elbow problems? Sign me up!"

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

Probably no one.

If we did he'd almost be certain to end up an Ace... /Royals

[Deberg_1990]

I wish they would just give Butler some roids.

Don't care if he hits .235 as long as he's boppin 30 HRs
Posted via Mobile Device