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.

[gblowfish]

It was nice to see both Cain and Esky play well last night. And Wade Davis got in too, all found their way to KC directly or indirectly because of the Greinke trade to Milwaukee. Davis and Shields came here when Odorizzi got packaged with Meyers to TB. We got Odorizzi from Milwaukee. I'm sure Cain and Esky wanted to show Zack they were worth the deal. I'd much rather have an everyday CF and SS than a guy who pitches every 5th time in the rotation.

[C3HIEF3S]

Originally Posted by OmahaChief

jeff samardzija the Cubs ace. I don't think we have the prospects to pull him unless we gave up Ventura in the deal.

One of Duffy or Ventura would be gone for sure. Also add in Zimmer and another good prospect.




No thanks.




Our starting pitching is the last thing that needs to be addressed right now. Add a bullpen arm, get a bat. If it was me making the trades, if I'm going to give up some top prospects, it's going to be for an impact bat.

[gblowfish]

I've been pretty happy with Omar at 2B. His offensive numbers are down below his career (bad back, getting hit in the face), but he has good AB's most days, he works counts, moves runners, and plays good defense. Certainly beats trotting Chris Getz out there. I think his numbers will improve in the 2nd half of the year. He's a gamer when he is healthy.

[Prison Bitch]

Nonsense. Cubs would take Ventura straight up and they wouldn't believe their luck. They'd also take Zimmer straight up if he were healthy. No team would get two cost controlled highly rated starters for 1.5 years of Jeff Samardjia.

[ChiTown]

Originally Posted by gblowfish

Right now Eric Hosmer = Ryan Shealy

Hos's Stats (Ranking) - compared to other MLB 1B:
* Average - 19th
* Runs Scored - Tied for 12th
* AB's - 1st (given his shit hitting, that's a gawdman joke)
* Hits - 7th
* Doubles - 4th (His best stat for sure)
* HR's - Tied for 29th (Pathetic)
* RBI - Tied for 16th
* Walks - Tied for 24th (This guy has no patience at the plate)
* OBP - Tied 22nd (.287 is just flat awful)
* SLG - Tied for 22nd
* OPS - 23rd
* WAR - His Neg 0.6 is tied for #49, which is 2nd to last in MLB for all 1B
* G/F (Ground balls to Fly balls) - #1 at 1.17, which explains his shit contact
* BB/PA - 3rd to last in walks per plate appearance
* BB/K - 3rd to last walks to strikeout

[Prison Bitch]

Faux-hawk loves driving the ball straight into the ground for a scorching 2-hopper that hopefully finds a hole. His ground out last night that took one hard bounce in front of the plate and right into Gonzalez glove as he stood at 1B was hilarious and sad. Faux just walked to the dugout confused by what happened.


He needs to be a Viagra spokesman - since he can't ever get it up.

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

Faux-hawk loves driving the ball straight into the ground for a scorching 2-hopper that hopefully finds a hole. His ground out last night that took one hard bounce in front of the plate and right into Gonzalez glove as he stood at 1B was hilarious and sad. Faux just walked to the dugout confused by what happened.


He needs to be a Viagra spokesman - since he can't ever get it up.

im sure he wasn't confused. he knew exactly what happened, give the guy some ****ing credit.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by OmahaChief

jeff samardzija the Cubs ace. I don't think we have the prospects to pull him unless we gave up Ventura in the deal.

The Royals definitely have the prospects to pull Samardzija if they want him.

The question is if swapping in Samardzija for either Duffy or Ventura really helps the team make the playoffs this year (I broke that down last week in this thread, it is a marginal gain at best, assuming all stay on current track).

if the Royals could pull a trade for Samardzija without sacrificing Ventura, Duffy or Zimmer, I think it makes a lot more sense. If not... sit tight and use your bullets to get a bat.

[C3HIEF3S]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

Nonsense. Cubs would take Ventura straight up and they wouldn't believe their luck. They'd also take Zimmer straight up if he were healthy. No team would get two cost controlled highly rated starters for 1.5 years of Jeff Samardjia.

I said Ventura or Duffy, not both. So that's only one highly rated starter.
Maybe take Zimmer out of the deal, but I'm sure the cubs would be looking for more than just one player.

Regardless, I'll take Duffy and Ventura right now. The worst pitcher in our rotation is Jeremy Guthrie and he has been pitching incredibly for the last month or so.

What do you guys think the Rays will net for Price? He is only under contract for the rest of this season. I was just looking on a Rays board and they seem to believe that they're going to get more for Price than they did in the Shields trade. Price is the better pitcher, but Royals also gave up Myers for 2 years of Shields, whereas whoever deals for Price is only getting a half year.

I think Rays fans are going to be disappointed if they're expecting more than the loot from giving up Shields.

[ChiTown]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

The Royals definitely have the prospects to pull Samardzija if they want him.

The question is if swapping in Samardzija for either Duffy or Ventura really helps the team make the playoffs this year (I broke that down last week in this thread, it is a marginal gain at best, assuming all stay on current track).

if the Royals could pull a trade for Samardzija without sacrificing Ventura, Duffy or Zimmer, I think it makes a lot more sense. If not... sit tight and use your bullets to get a bat.

THIS! - What we need is a Bat, probably 2 of them. A RF'r and a 3B would be a bigger key to making this group into an AL Central contender than another SP. JMHO

[Prison Bitch]

I know you said Ventura + Zimmer + another and I said either of the first two (if Zimmer was healthy) would e enough. And yes it's pointless to discuss since we aren't dealing pitching just to get pitching. Nor would we EVER surrender Ventura and his low cost.

As for price he's arb eligible next year so he is locked up 1.5 years. Next year will be expensive so only a top-10 market can bid on him an swallow that bullett in 2015

[TLO]

Originally Posted by ChiTown

THIS! - What we need is a Bat, probably 2 of them. A RF'r and a 3B would be a bigger key to making this group into an AL Central contender than another SP. JMHO

All of this.

An everyday RF with some pop would be a godsend right now. Keep Dyson as a 4th outfielder and send Aoki packing. Adding another SP does virtually nothing for us this season.

[TLO]

And I'm jumping abroad the Hosmer hate train for now. It's a real shame that Hos and Moose haven't lived up to the hype whatsoever.

[OmahaChief]

Originally Posted by ChiTown

Hos's Stats (Ranking) - compared to other MLB 1B:
* Average - 19th
* Runs Scored - Tied for 12th
* AB's - 1st (given his shit hitting, that's a gawdman joke)
* Hits - 7th
* Doubles - 4th (His best stat for sure)
* HR's - Tied for 29th (Pathetic)
* RBI - Tied for 16th
* Walks - Tied for 24th (This guy has no patience at the plate)
* OBP - Tied 22nd (.287 is just flat awful)
* SLG - Tied for 22nd
* OPS - 23rd
* WAR - His Neg 0.6 is tied for #49, which is 2nd to last in MLB for all 1B
* G/F (Ground balls to Fly balls) - #1 at 1.17, which explains his shit contact
* BB/PA - 3rd to last in walks per plate appearance
* BB/K - 3rd to last walks to strikeout

But.....but....he is the greatest defender known to man...a good glover.

Guy is a crap player and from other accounts a douche.

[Chiefspants]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

That, is, horrible.


I wouldn't give the faux-hawk a spot in MLB right now. He'd be down in AAA so fast his slicked back head would spin.

Forward thinking is the key phrase there. Hosmer isn't Moose, and pretending that their careers have taken similar trajectories is nothing short of disingenuous. With where he is this year, it's likely that Hos' asking price is never going to be lower than it is now.

Small market teams have to take calculated risks when making extensions. Hosmer has shown he has to talent to be an excellent hitter over two full seasons, if there's a time to take a gamble, it'd be now.

Arguing with you is a pointless exercise, in this season alone you have claimed that Cain, Alex, Hos, Moose, Butler, Esky, Dyson, and Infante were all worthless at one point or another. Considering that this composes almost the entirety of our offense, I'm having a difficult time taking the validity of your opinion seriously (I won't even get into your belief that we should platoon Salvy last year).