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.

[alnorth]

http://grantland.com/features/alex-r...d-sox-yankees/

Rany put together a neat little article that credibly speculates on what A-Rod's career might have been like if the MLBPA hadn't vetoed his trade to the Red Sox.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by dallaschiefsfan

Yes...I think this is pretty clear from his current involvement with the team. Whether he sells upon the inheritance is the real question. If he stays, I don't think that bodes well for the Royals. I think daddy actually holds Dan's ineptitude in check. David Glass might not be popular. Dan would be even less popular from what I've heard. I hope he cashes out and sells.

[Prison Bitch]

What would be th impact of a new buyer? Assume he/they buy the team for $400m and interest on the purchase is 10%. (Mix of debt and equity). That's $40m flushed down the toilet each year that could go to payroll. Just to keep payroll at current levels which I do believe is maxed out the new owner has to generate $40m extra. We only make 130m in revenue so that's asking for a 25% immediate rise just to keep pace. How would this make us better?

[alnorth]

http://www.kansascity.com/2014/02/14...plausible.html

Mellinger figured out how much of a bump we're getting from 2013 to 2014 for the new national TV deal. It is not $25MM, which I already knew because these deals always start below average and end above average, but I figured it would be about $20MM or so.

Apparently the TV deals are more back-loaded than I thought, and I hadn't considered that our old deal was also probably back-loaded; the bump we're getting next year from the new national TV deal is only about $5-10MM, not counting the share that MLB is going to take for the central fund.

If that is really the case, then it is definitely possible that we might be a little bit past our break-even point.

[Fansy the Famous Bard]

So, it's time for Prison Bitch to step up and go to the games. Gotta get that attendance up, right?

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

What would be th impact of a new buyer? Assume he/they buy the team for $400m and interest on the purchase is 10%. (Mix of debt and equity). That's $40m flushed down the toilet each year that could go to payroll. Just to keep payroll at current levels which I do believe is maxed out the new owner has to generate $40m extra. We only make 130m in revenue so that's asking for a 25% immediate rise just to keep pace. How would this make us better?

If it's the OnGoal guys, they will sink the assets into the business necessary to operate at a high level.

These guys are not cheap asses like Glass and the Hunt families. They understand if you spend on sports, you get it back in the long run, even if you take initial losses.

[Fansy the Famous Bard]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

If it's the OnGoal guys, they will sink the assets into the business necessary to operate at a high level.

These guys are not cheap asses like Glass and the Hunt families. They understand if you spend on sports, you get it back in the long run, even if you take initial losses.

AND they bring a winning attitude. They will not give a guy like GMDM 8 years of pure failure.

[BlackHelicopters]

Originally Posted by Zeke

AND they bring a winning attitude. They will not give a guy like GMDM 8 years of pure failure.

Pure failure feels like we almost won the World Series.

[Prison Bitch]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

If it's the OnGoal guys, they will sink the assets into the business necessary to operate at a high level.

But $400m sounds like a lot of dough. As you know, MLB is a much pricier game than MLS is. They would be walking into a completed stadium rather than building another Sporting Park from scratch. Still, they're locked into a crappy TV deal for another 6 years as of today. Where would the extra revenue come from?

These guys are not cheap asses like Glass and the Hunt families. They understand if you spend on sports, you get it back in the long run, even if you take initial losses.

I thought we were looking to get away from profit-seekers and go towards guys who are willing to spend big and lose big. Since you can't improve the TV deal and since our fans are resistant to purchasing tickets even at today's low prices, how on earth does OnGoal find money?

[Fansy the Famous Bard]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

But $400m sounds like a lot of dough. As you know, MLB is a much pricier game than MLS is. They would be walking into a completed stadium rather than building another Sporting Park from scratch. Still, they're locked into a crappy TV deal for another 6 years as of today. Where would the extra revenue come from?




I thought we were looking to get away from profit-seekers and go towards guys who are willing to spend big and lose big. Since you can't improve the TV deal and since our fans are resistant to purchasing tickets even at today's low prices, how on earth does OnGoal find money?

They are creative... they have a damned amazing marketing team.... and sell out every freaking game.

They provide a fabulous atmosphere and connect with the fans...

I don't know how that makes them more money, or if it really even does... but those guys are incredible in the areas of marketing and vision.

[Prison Bitch]

Oh, I agree. What they've accomplished in MLS has been quite impressive. I do think our fans haven't considered what a massive investment that just buying the team would pose. Then, on top, they have to generate tens of millions just to cover the interest payments in order to stay where we are at. One of the benefits of Glass owning the team (shoot me now) is that he's pretty flush. Financially stable with low or no debt.

[Fansy the Famous Bard]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

Oh, I agree. What they've accomplished in MLS has been quite impressive. I do think our fans haven't considered what a massive investment that just buying the team would pose. Then, on top, they have to generate tens of millions just to cover the interest payments in order to stay where we are at. One of the benefits of Glass owning the team (shoot me now) is that he's pretty flush. Financially stable with low or no debt.

That's all fine and dandy... but give me the owner that spends their money in better quality manners - even if there's less of it - Every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

[alnorth]

If what Glass has been saying all along has been the truth, I think its time to release an audit from a respected accounting firm. Not just to satisfy our own nosey curiosity, but really he should do it for his sake. I don't know if there are rules among the MLB owners or in the CBA against doing that, but if he's really looking at possibly losing money this season and he's getting absolutely no credit for doing that, then thats not fair.

We probably don't need an open book or a line-by-line accounting of every dollar spent, you can make the categories somewhat general, as long as its specific enough for us to kinda see how it could be the case and someone independent and respected signs off on it, then we can move on.

[Prison Bitch]

It wouldn't be in the CBA because the players have requested this for years. They'd love it if Glass did it. Then the other owners would kick him out of the game.

[Deberg_1990]

So apparently the "Reins are off" of Duffy........but then they talk about him being in the bullpen or maybe even AAA. WTF??


http://www.kansascity.com/2014/02/14...her-danny.html



If Duffy doesn’t win the job, his next step will be compelling. The Royals have yet to decide on a subsequent path, general manager Dayton Moore explained on Friday morning. Duffy could operate as a dynamic left-handed weapon in manager Ned Yost’s bullpen. The other choices to pair with southpaw Tim Collins are Francisley Bueno, Donnie Joseph and Everett Teaford. Duffy possesses a momentary appeal in this role.

Yet Moore reiterated how Duffy is critical to the Royals’ long-term planning, and his success as a starting pitcher is paramount. The organization visualizes Duffy, Ventura and fellow top prospect Kyle Zimmer all part of the rotation in 2015. So a stint in Class AAA Omaha might be more conducive to Duffy’s advancement. There is concern a bullpen stint may heighten his struggles with location.