Royals Official Royals Repository, Part 5 *** - Page 2

duncan_idaho · 10-06-2015, 10:54 PM

This time: With more playoffs

Our beloved Kansas City Royals take on the plucky upstart Houston Astros in the ALDS; Can they remind the Astros that they're supposed to be a year away from this?

Can an AL team manage to beat the Royals this postseason?

Duncan’s Top 20 for 2016:

Spoiler!

1. Raul Adalberto Mondesi, SS, BOTH: Tools, tools, tools. RA has tools galore. At his best, he’s an All-Star SS who plays elite D, hits 15-20 HR, swipes 40 bags, and is an ideal 1, 2 or 3 hitter. At his worst, I think he looks a lot like Alcides Escobar. Plate discipline is his biggest challenge at this point, but evaluators are confident that will come with time. Clear No. 1
2. Kyle Zimmer, RHP: He’s pitching again and staying healthy, which is nice. He’s pitcing out of the bullpen to build back his arm strength, which is less nice. But still has that high upside, just a lower floor now. Ideally, the team will use him as a bullpen weapon in September (because he has earned it) and then give him a chance to transition back to starting for 2016.
3. Miguel Almonte, RHP: Still love the body, FB/CH combo. Results aren’t eye popping, but he’s still low enough and early enough in the development to prize those things over performance. Still a solid No. 3 starter upside, and just a year and some change away from potentially being ready to contribute at the MLB level.
4. Jorge Bonifacio, RF, RH: Emilio’s little brother got off to a horrible start in 2015 but has heated up as the season went on. He also is translating BP power to game power for the first time, with 15 HR just past the mid-way point of his season. Despite his disappointing 2014, he has a chance to build his way back into legit prospect status – and still is only 22. Next challenge for him should be Omaha, but that may wait for the start of the 2014 season.
5. Scott Blewett, RHP: Blewett has a nice two –pitch mix already and is off to a strong start. With his size (6-6) and a good fastball/curveball combo, Blewett could eventually turn into a good No. 3 starter, with a MLB-average changeup.
6. Nolan Watson, RHP: The Royals’ 2015 sandwich pick is a polished prep arm who is adding velocity and explosiveness to a good, polished base. Likely to move quickly.
7. Ashe Russell, RHP: The 2015 top pick probably needs more work than Watson, but the upside is really nice. Again, advanced two-pitch mix that will depend on him adding a changeup. Could be a very good NO. 2 if it all adds up.

Spoiler!

8. Bubba Starling, CF, RH: Starling has been up and down this year but put himself back on the map by greatly improving his K rate while also improving across the slash line as a hitter. His defense and baserunning are MLB ready; if Starling can work himself into a league average hitter, he can be a solid MLB regular who plays great D in CF while hitting 15 HR and swiping 20 bags.
9. Balbino Fuenmayor, 1B/DH, RH: The Balbino came out of basically nowhere in 2015 to earn a Futures Game spot. Big power and an improved two-strike approach have turned the late bloomer into a legit prospect. He’s blocked at the MLB level currently by Eric Hosmer and Kendrys Morales, but Fuenmayor’s combination of power hitting and good average/strike zone control makes him intriguing.
10. Cheslor Cuthbert, 3B, RH: Cheslor probably is not going to be the star KC was hoping for when signing him out of Nicaragua, but he does look like he can be a solid reserve for an MLB club. Good defense at 3B paired with a solid plate approach and some gap power plays fine off the bench. He becomes a lot more interesting if they think he can stick as a 2B, which they have experimented with.
11. Chase Vallot, C/DH/1B: I really like Vallot’s power and plate discipline combo. His bat will probably force him from behind the plate, but he’s held his own despite being extremely young for every level he has faced.
12. Alfredo Escalera-Maldonado, OF, RH: Escalera-Maldonado earned a promotion to Wilmington at age 20, which is pretty advanced movement for that age. He’s an athletic outfielder who has shown some plate discipline at an early age, which is encouraging. Doesn’t sound like he can stick in CF long term for KC, but his bat has become one to watch.
13. Pedro Fernandez, RHP: I haven’t seen much of him, but like the reports I’ve heard on his fastball and general makeup. Could become the next Almonte/Mondesi, though he’s more likely to land in the pen than either of them.
14. Elier Hernandez, OF, RH: Elier Hernanez teamed with Escalera-Maldonado in breaking out at Low-A and earning a promotion to Wilmington. It’s still early for this guy – he is just 20 years old – but he doesn’t take walks and hasn’t developed the prodigious power many thought he had the potential for. Still worth watching.
15. Hunter Dozier, 3B, RH: Dozier is reworking his swing mid-season, which generally will cause production to do what his has done: Nose dive. The changes he made entering the season (seemingly geared towards increasing his power production) were a disaster, and now he’s trying to get back to what he used to be. Still looks great and checks most of the scouting boxes, but the performance hasn’t matched, and it almost knocked him out of the list.
16. Christian Binford, RHP: After a breakthrough 2014, Binford struggled mightily at AAA and suffered a demotion. His upside remains similar – a back-end starter who can eat innings – but Binford’s lack of velocity and reliance on command have caught up to him so far.
17. Marten Gasparini, OF, SH: Gasparini is intriguing because of his speed and athleticism. He’s a LOOOOONG ways from the majors and young for his level, but reports on his bat speed, swing, and speed remain positive enough to keep him on the bubble.

**ChiTown** · 10-07-2015, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEX

I'm hoping my Stros go 2014 Royals on the 2015 Royals... (Either way I can't lose because I like both teams)

GO STROS!

In a Royals Repository? Really? GTFOOH

journeyscarab · 10-07-2015, 06:48 AM

GO ROYALS!

**SAUTO** · 10-07-2015, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEX

I'm hoping my Stros go 2014 Royals on the 2015 Royals... (Either way I can't lose because I like both teams)

GO STROS!

**** you

Lex Luthor · 10-07-2015, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEX

I'm hoping my Stros go 2014 Royals on the 2015 Royals... (Either way I can't lose because I like both teams)

GO STROS!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Dole

BANNED!

I hope this is true. **** that Astros fan.

Archie F. Swin · 10-07-2015, 07:42 AM

Serious question: how do you feel about our starters going into this post season compared to last year's starters?

Lex Luthor · 10-07-2015, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archie F. Swin

Serious question: how do you feel about our starters going into this post season compared to last year's starters?

If you are referring strictly to starting pitchers, not great. However, Shields sucked in the postseason last year, and this group has great potential. It's not like we are starting Jeremy Guthrie in Game 7 THIS YEAR.

The rest of the team is arguably better than last year.

**alnorth** · 10-07-2015, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

Fail. Our flag colors are:

Division: white
AL: Powder Blue
WS: Royal Blue with gold trim

cosmo20002 · 10-07-2015, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEX

I'm hoping my Stros go 2014 Royals on the 2015 Royals... (Either way I can't lose because I like both teams)

GO STROS!

How's 5th grade this year?

cosmo20002 · 10-07-2015, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archie F. Swin

Serious question: how do you feel about our starters going into this post season compared to last year's starters?

Seriously though, do not start a Royals Offseason thread while the Royals are still playing. Yeah, I remember you did that last year.

duncan_idaho · 10-07-2015, 08:16 AM

duncan_idaho · 10-07-2015, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archie F. Swin

Serious question: how do you feel about our starters going into this post season compared to last year's starters?

I actually like them better.

In general, the team is better in every aspect except the back 3 in the bullpen (still elite there and still the best remaining in the playoffs, but Madson isn't quite as untouchable as Holland was a year ago).

But looking at the starting pitchers...

If Ventura continues to pitch like he has for the past two months, he's better than any pitcher on the Royals' 2014 postseason roster (including 2014 Yordano Ventura).

I think 2015 Cueto - even with some of the struggles - is at worst equal to Jame Shields, and I expect better.

Volquez is much better than either Guthrie or Vargas (though Guthrie pitched great down the stretch, Volquez's stuff is so much better, you can trust him more).

And I'll take Medlen or Chris Young over the leftovers. If you need either guy in a 7-game series, much more workable.

Back to the pen for a second... I think the depth is improved, even if they're slightly less lights-out in the back 3. Morales, Hochevar, and Duffy offer some weapons for the 6th inning that just weren't there a year ago.

ChiefsCountry · 10-07-2015, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Is that off the Jeopardy sports twitter?

Archie F. Swin · 10-07-2015, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brainiac

If you are referring strictly to starting pitchers,

yes...starting pitchers

Don Corlemahomes · 10-07-2015, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEX

I'm hoping my Stros go 2014 Royals on the 2015 Royals... (Either way I can't lose because I like both teams)

GO STROS!

**ChiTown** · 10-07-2015, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cunning Linguist

10-06-2015, 10:54 PM
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $-2029692	Official Royals Repository, Part 5 * This time: With more playoffs Our beloved Kansas City Royals take on the plucky upstart Houston Astros in the ALDS; Can they remind the Astros that they're supposed to be a year away from this? Can an AL team manage to beat the Royals this postseason? Duncan’s Top 20 for 2016: Spoiler! 1. Raul Adalberto Mondesi, SS, BOTH: Tools, tools, tools. RA has tools galore. At his best, he’s an All-Star SS who plays elite D, hits 15-20 HR, swipes 40 bags, and is an ideal 1, 2 or 3 hitter. At his worst, I think he looks a lot like Alcides Escobar. Plate discipline is his biggest challenge at this point, but evaluators are confident that will come with time. Clear No. 1 2. Kyle Zimmer, RHP: He’s pitching again and staying healthy, which is nice. He’s pitcing out of the bullpen to build back his arm strength, which is less nice. But still has that high upside, just a lower floor now. Ideally, the team will use him as a bullpen weapon in September (because he has earned it) and then give him a chance to transition back to starting for 2016. 3. Miguel Almonte, RHP: Still love the body, FB/CH combo. Results aren’t eye popping, but he’s still low enough and early enough in the development to prize those things over performance. Still a solid No. 3 starter upside, and just a year and some change away from potentially being ready to contribute at the MLB level. 4. Jorge Bonifacio, RF, RH: Emilio’s little brother got off to a horrible start in 2015 but has heated up as the season went on. He also is translating BP power to game power for the first time, with 15 HR just past the mid-way point of his season. Despite his disappointing 2014, he has a chance to build his way back into legit prospect status – and still is only 22. Next challenge for him should be Omaha, but that may wait for the start of the 2014 season. 5. Scott Blewett, RHP: Blewett has a nice two –pitch mix already and is off to a strong start. With his size (6-6) and a good fastball/curveball combo, Blewett could eventually turn into a good No. 3 starter, with a MLB-average changeup. 6. Nolan Watson, RHP: The Royals’ 2015 sandwich pick is a polished prep arm who is adding velocity and explosiveness to a good, polished base. Likely to move quickly. 7. Ashe Russell, RHP: The 2015 top pick probably needs more work than Watson, but the upside is really nice. Again, advanced two-pitch mix that will depend on him adding a changeup. Could be a very good NO. 2 if it all adds up. Spoiler!** 8. Bubba Starling, CF, RH: Starling has been up and down this year but put himself back on the map by greatly improving his K rate while also improving across the slash line as a hitter. His defense and baserunning are MLB ready; if Starling can work himself into a league average hitter, he can be a solid MLB regular who plays great D in CF while hitting 15 HR and swiping 20 bags. 9. Balbino Fuenmayor, 1B/DH, RH: The Balbino came out of basically nowhere in 2015 to earn a Futures Game spot. Big power and an improved two-strike approach have turned the late bloomer into a legit prospect. He’s blocked at the MLB level currently by Eric Hosmer and Kendrys Morales, but Fuenmayor’s combination of power hitting and good average/strike zone control makes him intriguing. 10. Cheslor Cuthbert, 3B, RH: Cheslor probably is not going to be the star KC was hoping for when signing him out of Nicaragua, but he does look like he can be a solid reserve for an MLB club. Good defense at 3B paired with a solid plate approach and some gap power plays fine off the bench. He becomes a lot more interesting if they think he can stick as a 2B, which they have experimented with. 11. Chase Vallot, C/DH/1B: I really like Vallot’s power and plate discipline combo. His bat will probably force him from behind the plate, but he’s held his own despite being extremely young for every level he has faced. 12. Alfredo Escalera-Maldonado, OF, RH: Escalera-Maldonado earned a promotion to Wilmington at age 20, which is pretty advanced movement for that age. He’s an athletic outfielder who has shown some plate discipline at an early age, which is encouraging. Doesn’t sound like he can stick in CF long term for KC, but his bat has become one to watch. 13. Pedro Fernandez, RHP: I haven’t seen much of him, but like the reports I’ve heard on his fastball and general makeup. Could become the next Almonte/Mondesi, though he’s more likely to land in the pen than either of them. 14. Elier Hernandez, OF, RH: Elier Hernanez teamed with Escalera-Maldonado in breaking out at Low-A and earning a promotion to Wilmington. It’s still early for this guy – he is just 20 years old – but he doesn’t take walks and hasn’t developed the prodigious power many thought he had the potential for. Still worth watching. 15. Hunter Dozier, 3B, RH: Dozier is reworking his swing mid-season, which generally will cause production to do what his has done: Nose dive. The changes he made entering the season (seemingly geared towards increasing his power production) were a disaster, and now he’s trying to get back to what he used to be. Still looks great and checks most of the scouting boxes, but the performance hasn’t matched, and it almost knocked him out of the list. 16. Christian Binford, RHP: After a breakthrough 2014, Binford struggled mightily at AAA and suffered a demotion. His upside remains similar – a back-end starter who can eat innings – but Binford’s lack of velocity and reliance on command have caught up to him so far. 17. Marten Gasparini, OF, SH: Gasparini is intriguing because of his speed and athleticism. He’s a LOOOOONG ways from the majors and young for his level, but reports on his bat speed, swing, and speed remain positive enough to keep him on the bubble.
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10-07-2015, 06:48 AM	#17
journeyscarab SHOCKERS BABY! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Overland Park, KS Casino cash: $1773555	GO ROYALS!
Posts: 3,414

10-07-2015, 07:42 AM	#20
Archie F. Swin This is the way Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Wichita Falls, Texas Casino cash: $9975673	Serious question: how do you feel about our starters going into this post season compared to last year's starters? __________________ "No Two People Will Do It The Same, You got It Down...When You Appear to Be In Pain!"
Posts: 11,800

10-07-2015, 08:16 AM	#25
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $-2029692	__________________ "You gotta love livin', cause dying is a pain in the ass." ---- Sinatra
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