*** Official 2016 Royals Repository, Version 1 ***

[duncan_idaho]

And so it begins: The Royals' second straight attempt to repeat as AL Champions, and first attempt to repeat as World Series champions.

In this thread, we'll track all non-gameday action. Roster moves, prospect news, etc.

I'll start the thread as usual, with division rivals thoughts. I still like KC to repeat as AL Central champs. Here's how I see the rest of it shaking out:

2) Indians - they have the pitching (and seem to have at least semi-Kluber-ed Cody Anderson, who added 3 mph to his fastball in the offseason). Will the offense hold up? I think this is a team that ends up looking a lot like the 2014 Royals. Francisco Lindor will solidify their IF defense over the full season, and is a help with the bat. I think this club is still a year away from really breaking through - the offense still has a lot of question marks - but I like them to nab a wildcard spot.

Key Player(s): Michael Brantley. When Brantley returns - and how he hits when he does - will be critical to the Indians' ability to be good enough on offense.

Jason Kipnis. Kipnis has been an enigmatic offensive performer for the past several years. If he finally has a good offensive campaign from start to finish, Cleveland could make real noise.

Something of interest to me: For all the acclaim the Twins' farm system gets, I look at the Indians young players, and would much rather have them. Brad Zimmer is going to be a very good all-around CF. Clint Frazier has huge power potential and should arrive soon (2017). Lindor is a young stud.

3) Tigers - Old and dependent on a few stars. If Verlander and Sanchez are healthy and effective, they will be playoff contenders. I'm sure JD Martinez will continue to hit roid-aided bombs. I'm also pretty sure Victor Martinez's days as a huge power threat are gone.

Key player: Justin Verlander. Detroit people would have you believe he figured out how to succeed without his big fastball in September of last year. If that's true, and he returns to dominant form, Detroit will likely contend again.

Something of interest to me: Will Jose Iglesias stay healthy and not try to kill teammates in the dugout? His defense makes the whole group much better.

4) Twins - They won't lead the division or be in playoff contention for as long this year, but Minnesota will avoid the cellar.

Key Player: Miguel Sano. Huge power, huge K rate. Can he continue to drive the ball and be a plus offensive player? Probably needs to cut that 35 percent K percentage to do so.

Something of interest to me: Will teams challenge Sano inside with hard stuff? Working away, away, just lets his power play up. Also - will Mike Berardino continue to be the biggest beat writer homer in MLB?

5) White Sox - still managed by a shitty manager who can't control his clubhouse (The blame for the LaRoche thing really should fall on him, not the GM). Still have a shitty overall defense and a lot of douchebags on the team. They will once again look better on paper than they actually perform.

Key player: Carlos Rodon. The White Sox need Rodon to take a big step forward to make an actual move this season. He's got the talent...

And, as always, here are the prospects.

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. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
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.

Spoiler!

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.
18. Eric Skoglund, LHP: Skoglund had a nice year at Wilmington. I'm skeptical because his K rate is lower than I like to see for a guy at A+ - just 7/9, and usually guys lose a strikeout or two/9 as they move up the chain from there - but he has excellent control, walking 1.17 batters/9. 6-7 lefties with great control who get lots of ground balls - like Skoglund - have a chance to overcome bad K rates.
19. Ryan O'Hearn, 1B/LF: A lefty stick with power, O'Hearn was a savings signing as an 8th round pick, but a change in his approach increased his power - while increasing his K rate. After Vallot, probably the best pure power prospect in the Royals system.
20. Josh Staumont, RHP: I was terrified of this guy's control problems, and he walked nearly a batter an inning in his pro debut (32 BB in 40 1/3 IP). Staumont's nasty, nasty stuff (plus-plus fastball, plus slider) could make him a very good late-inning reliever who strikes out more than a batter an inning, if he can develop average or slightly below-average control. If he really masters the control, you're talking about a potential Greg Holland type, but that's a TALL task.

[milkman]

Here's my question.

Are you watching the wild card standings at this point in the season?

Watching Quick Pitch, they seem to focus more on WC standings than division standings, and that seems awfully premature to me.

The season has a long way to go yet.

[RealSNR]

The sooner the better when it comes to getting another starting pitcher. It's getting really tiresome putting up with Chris Young and his 3 innings 5+ run games. Unnecessary strain on a bullpen that's already been used a ton this season.

[tk13]

Originally Posted by milkman

Here's my question.

Are you watching the wild card standings at this point in the season?

Watching Quick Pitch, they seem to focus more on WC standings than division standings, and that seems awfully premature to me.

The season has a long way to go yet.

There's no doubt. Today's game is only the halfway mark of the season. Remember two years ago, the Royals seemed to bounce up and down the standings. They were in 1st, then fell way behind (which led to the Ibanez meeting), then came back from 7 or 8 down to pass the Tigers in about 3-4 weeks, only to lose the division in September. And that was almost all in the 2nd half.

The division could still change hands multiple times, especially with four teams in the mix this year.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

Think this is the kind of starter he is the rest of the way? Also think they trade for a mid tier starter before the deadline ...maybe hellickson, Matt Moore?

I think there's a good chance he is what he has been for the past month-six weeks the rest of the way. Which gives them a legit ToR arm.

I'm not nuts about either of those guys, but both would be improvements on Chris Young or Medlen.

I'd prefer a cheaper option who can just be solid to those guys. Moore is going to have a bigger price tag, I think. And I don't trust Hellickson coming back to the AL given his recent numbers.


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[Prison Bitch]

So 43-38 halfway thru. Pace for 86 wins. That's really remarkable given our injury problems and rotation woes. I'm pretty impressed they've won as often as they have

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by RealSNR

The sooner the better when it comes to getting another starting pitcher. It's getting really tiresome putting up with Chris Young and his 3 innings 5+ run games. Unnecessary strain on a bullpen that's already been used a ton this season.

Which brings up the question - how much more rope are they going to give Young before they decide to pull him for Gee or Wang or really anyone else? I've said it all along - Young is best utilized out of the pen, and for a start spot if necessary. He doesn't have an "out" pitch. You can't have a guy throw every fifth day with essentially two pitches in his arsenal, even if he is your #5 guy.

[Sure-Oz]

According to Susan Slusser Royals are watching Rich Hill and Josh Reddick.


http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/0...s-dodgers.html

[C3HIEF3S]

Originally Posted by milkman

Here's my question.

Are you watching the wild card standings at this point in the season?

Watching Quick Pitch, they seem to focus more on WC standings than division standings, and that seems awfully premature to me.

The season has a long way to go yet.

I am not necessarily "watching" them, but rather just aware of where the Royals are. As bad as this season seems to have been thus far, the Royals are still right there and most-definitely in contention. Get this team some average pitching and it will fly.

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

According to Susan Slusser Royals are watching Rich Hill and Josh Reddick.


http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/0...s-dodgers.html

Gotta think either guy is going to cost a lot in prospects, but with them we would have a good shot of catching the Indians.

[Anyong Bluth]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

This is peak Danny Duffy. Hitting his ceiling. When he commands the ball and throws his offspeed pitches for strikes, he's a top of rotation guy.

This is combining his ability to limit hard contact (which was his key in 2014) with great command, which is why the strikeouts are way up. Exciting.

If they can just solidify that No. 5 rotation spot, I think the rest of the rotation is good enough to get it done.

In a potential playoff series, you'd be hoping to have Duffy and Volquez make most of your road starts, and use Kennedy/Ventura at home.


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Reminds me of what Duffy was flirting with becoming before his injury sidelined him just as he was looking like he was coming into his own. I'm a huge Duffy fan so I admit my bias when I say if he can get into a routine and defined spot and work with the staff to clean up his mechanics and the rest, I think he's got it in him to be a nasty #2.

[KevB]

Bubbas first 2 at bats : double off the wall and 3 run HR. Not bad.

[Anyong Bluth]

Originally Posted by Bowser

Which brings up the question - how much more rope are they going to give Young before they decide to pull him for Gee or Wang or really anyone else? I've said it all along - Young is best utilized out of the pen, and for a start spot if necessary. He doesn't have an "out" pitch. You can't have a guy throw every fifth day with essentially two pitches in his arsenal, even if he is your #5 guy.

Said this before the season started. Young as a SP on opening day was a huge mistake. Medlan didn't help, but it was sort of stopgap and indicated that the FO intended to get an arm before the trade deadline. Someone who is going to give you an 80% chance to win every time they take the mound.

As troublesome the 5 in the rotation is, it's meaningless come September, but without an anchor arm to count on they're dead in the water. Ventura is so unpredictable you can't bank on him even though he can get hot and turn in dominate appearances.

It's deadheat summer, so as troubling the homers their giving up may be, and it is something that needs correcting, but it's not a disqualifier in and of itself.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Anyong Bluth

Reminds me of what Duffy was flirting with becoming before his injury sidelined him just as he was looking like he was coming into his own. I'm a huge Duffy fan so I admit my bias when I say if he can get into a routine and defined spot and work with the staff to clean up his mechanics and the rest, I think he's got it in him to be a nasty #2.

This Duffy is a pretty solid No 1. He's not an elite ace but would slot into that second tier of SPs (where James Shields used to reside.

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

Gotta think either guy is going to cost a lot in prospects, but with them we would have a good shot of catching the Indians.

I don't think either costs the same type of Haul as Cueto or Zobrist commanded.

Cueto had five years of excellence/top 10 performance in his history. Rich Hill's sample size is really small. Something more like Kazmir's cost would make sense there.

No idea on Reddick. He'd be a nice fit in KC, though.



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[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

This Duffy is a pretty solid No 1. He's not an elite ace but would slot into that second tier of SPs (where James Shields used to reside.




I don't think either costs the same type of Haul as Cueto or Zobrist commanded.

Cueto had five years of excellence/top 10 performance in his history. Rich Hill's sample size is really small. Something more like Kazmir's cost would make sense there.

No idea on Reddick. He'd be a nice fit in KC, though.



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I would think Reddicks cost would be close to Zobrist. Hill maybe less but there isnt a surplus of top of the rotation guys to pick from like last year either.

[Mama Hip Rockets]

Originally Posted by milkman

Here's my question.

Are you watching the wild card standings at this point in the season?

Watching Quick Pitch, they seem to focus more on WC standings than division standings, and that seems awfully premature to me.

The season has a long way to go yet.

I'm watching the division first and foremost. But, I mean, if the Blue Jays, Astros, Red Sox, etc. are playing bottom dwellers, I'm rooting for the bottom dwellers.