*** Official 2017 Royals Offseason Repository

[duncan_idaho]

The reign is over. Time to begin the quest for the next one.

Interesting offseason opens for the Royals. Will they go all in for one last shot with this crew? Will they re-tool for 2018 and beyond? Will Dayton Moore actually decrease payroll this time?

Trades, free agent signings, rumors, plans, proposals... dump 'em all here, for this is... the offseason repository!

Royals Top Prospects, 2017

This is a list that’s going to seem a little bleak initially, as Raul Mondesi got enough ABs to age out of the prospect rankings (just barely – at 135 ABs, he is not rookie eligible). But that said, I like the talent and feel like this is a system that will actually be underrated by the prospect services.

Spoiler!

Format: POS/Name/2017 Projected Final Level

1) 3B/OF Hunter Dozier, MLB. Dozier bounced back from a disastrous 2015 campaign that had many wondering, myself included, if he was wrecked. His strong offensive performance in 2016 saw Dozier recapture the mature approach that many liked coming up, while also starting to tap into his above-average raw power for the first time.

In addition to his success at the plate, Dozier also proved he could at least HANDLE an OF spot, which could put him in the conversation for 2017 playing time at the major leagues. If the Royals DO end up trading Cheslor Cuthbert, Dozier could find a decent amount of MLB playing time sliding between RF and 3B. With Moustakas recovering from knee surgery, he likely will need more regular breaks from the field. And the streaky Paulo Orlando is just not an intriguing short-side platoon partner for Jarrod Dyson.

2) LHP Matt Strahm, MLB. Strahm just barely skates under the rookie eligibility rules for a pitcher, so he can be included here. Royals fans already got a taste of the lefty’s abilities, as he used his above-average fastball and slurve to dominate out of the pen in 2016. For him to translate that dominance to the rotation, Strahm will need to maintain his velocity (92-94) and continue to improve a changeup that flashed average at times.

If the changeup becomes a weapon he can lean on against righties, Strahm could be a very solid mid-rotation starter and fringe ToR/No. 2 type (think Danny Duffy-lite).

3) RHP Josh Staumont, AAA. This one could blow up on me and look really silly by this time next year, but I’m encouraged by what we saw from Staumont late last year. He showed significantly improved control down the stretch for Northwest Arkansas, including some impressive playoff starts, while maintaining the big-time K ability. That trend continued in the Arizona Fall League.

If Staumont’s control holds, the Royals have a guy with a plus fastball, plus-plus curve, and average change (with a slider that could develop into a real weapon as he matures). He’ll start next season at AAA and could be an addition to the MLB bullpen or even the rotation before the season ends.

4) RF Jorge Bonifacio, AAA. Boni, like Dozier, had a bounceback season in 2016 with the bat, and also played 15-20 pounds lighter than the year before, which added some nice defensive utility according to reports I’ve gotten. He now looks like a guy could provide solid/average RF production in the major leagues… Average defense paired with potential to put up a .275/.335/.450 line. While that’s not all-star level, it IS playable. Especially at pre-arbitration dollars. He’ll get another year in Omaha to refine his approach, and likely be in the mix of a 2018 mini-youth movement… unless moved for MLB reinforcements.

5) C Meibrys Viloria, Low-A (Lexington). I haven’t seen him in person, but I like the pedigree. You’ve got a lefthanded hitting catcher with the defensive ability to stick behind the plate. He was a big-bonus guy out of Colombia (nearly $500k). And his offensive performance has been highly impressive early, with a good combination of power, plate discipline, and contact skills.

He’s forever away from the majors, just now clearing rookie ball, but Viloria is the most exciting prospect KC has had at Idaho Falls since someone on this board was gushing about a 16-year-old SS tearing it up.

6) 1B Ryan O’Hearn, AAA. O’Hearn is a guy who has never gotten a lot of hype from scouts, but he continues to be a strong producer. He’s someone who likely will strikeout about 25 percent of the time at the big-league level, but has the ability to be a .500+ SLG guy. That plays. He also has shown good patience at the plate, posting above-average OBPs at every level.

Bold prediction: I won’t be shocked if O’Hearn takes over at 1B for KC in 2018/2019 and provides similar offensive production to Hosmer out of the gate. He’s probably never going to be a consistent plus average (.290+) hitter, but .270 with 25 HR is something within reach for him. He’ll get his first shot at AAA in 2017.

7) RHP AJ Puckett, A+. Puckett is a high floor, low-ceiling guy who performed about as you’d expect in 2016 after being the Royals’ first pick in the 2016 Rule IV Draft. He’s not flashy, but Puckett does profile as a solid potential back-end starter. Good fastball command and an above-average changeup are his calling cards. If Puckett finds a reliable breaking ball to put batters away, this could tick up. Great athlete, very similar to Jake Odorizzi in that regard.

8) RF Khalil Lee, Low-A (Lexington). Lee was a two-way player in HS and many viewed him as a pitcher first as a pro, but the Royals drafted him as an OF and were reward with a strong debut campaign. Lee is not a big guy, but he produced solid power numbers despite that. He’s a dynamic athlete who could contribute with power and speed.

9) C Chase Vallot, High-A (Wilmington). Vallot has an intriguing bat, with plus raw power. Got off to a great start in 16 before being sidelined and then sidetracked by injury. RH bat may be good enough to push him out from behind the plate, where he has good tools but a long way to go.

10) RHP Jake Junis and RHP Alec Mills (AAA). I'm copping out here and including both at No. 10 because they're so similar. Like Puckett, they each project as a serviceable back of rotation starter. Similar stuff and profiles, though Junis has shown a little better strikeout ability and may have a smidge more upside as a result.

Others of note:

SS/CF Marten Gasparini. Production has been bad for this toolsy player, but Gasparini has speed and pop that jump out at you. At only 19, need to be patient with him... this European signee was even less polished when signing at 16 than the typical Latin America prospect.

OF Seuly Matias. Loud, loud tools. Matias profiles as a classic RF... big-time power potential. He's a long ways from the majors but is one of the Royals' biggest bonus babies from LA.

RHP Ashe Russell. 2014 1st rounder saw his velocity disappear last year and was quickly shut down. He's intriguing one way or the other, even if he ends up as another notch in the belt of the TINSTAAPP saying.

2B Corey Toups. O'Hearn's HS teammate has been an above-average producer for an up-the-middle player. His small stature hides a surprising amount of pop. Could turn into a Mark Grudzielanek type of offensive second baseman at his peak - solid average, lots of 2Bs.

RHP Scott Blewett, LHP Foster Griffin, RHP Nolan Watson - all three have underwhelmed as pros but were drafted in the supplemental round. Stuff and projectability for each is a positive. Wouldn't be surprised to see one of them take a Cody Reed-like step forward this season and crack the 50-75 range on prospect lists. They all have the natural ability.

SS/2B Ricky Aracena - Jose Altuve-sized Aracena is a switch hitting middle infielder who can flat out run. Switch hitter with a good approach.

RHP Pedro Fernandez - I'm still a believer in his stuff, even if he is destined for the pen. Was having a nice 2016 start until injuries derailed him right after his promotion to AA.

Sirs not Appearing in this Prospect List:

RHP Kyle Zimmer. Same story, different year. The Royals are hopeful they FINALLY found the cause of Zimmer's achy shoulder. If they really did, and he can stay healthy, the talent/potential is exciting.

OF Bubba Starling. Never trust a guy named Derek.

[cosmo20002]

Originally Posted by C3HIEF3S

Dayton Moore on his request to Glass family to sign Hammel: "They said, ‘Do what you need to do. We owe it to our fans, to this team.' "

— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) February 8, 2017

[Hootie]

Originally Posted by cosmo20002

you should have heard what he said on 11/9

[Chiefspants]

Anyone still angry at the Glass family hasn't been paying attention to Dayton Moore's comments to begin every offseason since 2013.

[Hootie]

The Royals and their payroll have been fine - excellent for years now ... Glass has been a great owner, basically, since he let Dayton take over.

I truly don't expect the Royals to be much better than 81-81 this year and I still can't get mad at anything Royals related. '13-'16 has been a lot of fun and if we have a few down years, that's kind of the life of a smaller market team in today's culture

[Chiefspants]

Originally Posted by Romosexual

The Royals and their payroll have been fine - excellent for years now ... Glass has been a great owner, basically, since he let Dayton take over.

I truly don't expect the Royals to be much better than 81-81 this year and I still can't get mad at anything Royals related. '13-'16 has been a lot of fun and if we have a few down years, that's kind of the life of a smaller market team in today's culture

I honestly thought 2014 was going to be our only shot. Small market teams, historically, usually have had one or fewer shots at the title. The Rays and the Rockies both followed this format, while small market "dynasties" like the Twins and the A's never made it at all.

The Royals accomplished something in 2015 that I never thought I'd see in my lifetime, and I'm going to cherish it for the rest of my life.

[Hootie]

I can pretty much guarantee you, as a 31 year old, I'll never, in my lifetime, enjoy a team more than I enjoyed the 2015 Royals. From 1 - 178

[kcchiefsus]

Originally Posted by Chiefspants

Anyone still angry at the Glass family hasn't been paying attention to Dayton Moore's comments to begin every offseason since 2013.

I'm not angry at the Glass family. I am ecstatic that we won the World Series, although I'm a little sad it had to happen after I moved out of the country and couldn't be there to enjoy it.

I am not 100% happy with Dayton Moore though. I would like some semblance of continued success. I know there will be down years but I don't think there is any excuse anymore for an extended period of being down. It hasn't happened yet of course, but I'm very worried about the competitiveness of this team after this year. Moore has left the cupboard pretty barren in the minor leagues and it seems to me like it will take a while to restock our talent.

I understand that we did use some top prospects to add pieces that were instrumental to our championship team and I'm glad we did. However, Moore's performance in the draft have been subpar at best. We've missed on far too many picks and have continually missed out on superior players that were drafted after our picks. I don't really trust Moore in the draft until I see evidence to suggest he will do better. I also am less than pleased with the organizations philosophy and track record with developing minor league pitchers.

Still, it's too early to be bitter seeing as I'm complaining about stuff that has happened yet and we are still not that far removed from our championship season. I'll enjoy this current team and its players while it lasts.

[duncan_idaho]

chiefus-

This org has definitely struggled in the draft following the 2009 draft.

Some of it is the nature of the draft. Some of it is bad luck. And a lot of it is just bad choices with the highly visible first rounder.

Colon in 09 and Starling in 11 are the ones that really strong.

Crow in 10 was not an ideal outcome, but considering their slot was not bad, especially considering they got Flynn for him.

12 is bad luck with Zimmer. There literally was nothing to suggest he would have injury issues.

I'd consider the 13 and 14 drafts a success, since they helped land the players that contributed to a WS title.

Ranking in the bottom third of farm systems entering the year is a disappointment, but there ARE a lot of high upside guys who could make big jumps in value, a la Cody Reed in 15.

Staumont, Foster Griffin, Scott Blewett chief among them.

If Starmont stays in the minors and continues to show the control he did in Northwest Arkansas, he will be a midseason top 50 guy and maybe top 25, for example.


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[Prison Bitch]

Sorry Duncan, Crow was a disaster pick. He got a guaranteed MLB deal to boot. Several good players went after him (Shelby Miller, pollock, grichuk, and that Trout dude)

[Great Expectations]

Originally Posted by DJJasonp

anyone else wishing that Duffy WASNT playing in the WBC?

I wish Perez would rest.

[Sure-Oz]

Originally Posted by Great Expectations

I wish Perez would rest.

Both

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

Sorry Duncan, Crow was a disaster pick. He got a guaranteed MLB deal to boot. Several good players went after him (Shelby Miller, pollock, grichuk, and that Trout dude)

Disaster picks are Bubba Starling or Brad Lincoln, etc - guys who never give you anything at the major league level, period. Especially guys taken in the top 5. Chris Colon also could qualify, especially since they were connected to Sale until 15 minutes before the pick.

A guy taken 11th or 12th giving you a few good years as a reliever and returning a useful reliever like Flynn with a long period of control aren't what you want, but it's not a disaster. You're getting SOME value out of them.

That 10 draft is a disaster for everyone who didn't pick trout, I guess. But he could have just as easily been Bubba Starling as Mike Trout.


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[Nightfyre]

Be real, duncan. If we drafted Sale, his shoulder would have spontaneously exploded in a random case of TOS.

[Chiefspants]

Originally Posted by Nightfyre

Be real, duncan. If we drafted Sale, his shoulder would have spontaneously exploded in a random case of TOS.

We may have tried to "clean up" his delivery and tried to nix that "risky" slider with a curveball.

[Prison Bitch]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Disaster picks are Bubba Starling or Brad Lincoln, etc - guys who never give you anything at the major league level, period. Especially guys taken in the top 5. Chris Colon also could qualify, especially since they were connected to Sale until 15 minutes before the pick.

A guy taken 11th or 12th giving you a few good years as a reliever and returning a useful reliever like Flynn with a long period of control aren't what you want, but it's not a disaster. You're getting SOME value out of them.

That 10 draft is a disaster for everyone who didn't pick trout, I guess. But he could have just as easily been Bubba Starling as Mike Trout.


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I think we've debated this, I believe you're wrong. Crow spent 4 years here and had a -0.2 fWAR. So he was actually worse than replacement, and hence not qualified to be a big leaguer.

Second, unlike guys who never made it, we had to spend $$$ on him. over $6M clams on that loser. How many of his peers made that? Tack on the $2M more he stole from Florida in 2015 (never threw a pitch) and you're looking at 8M for zero



Frankly, I hate him mostly for submarining our 2013 team (.825 second half OPS) and trying his best to destroy 2014 (.913 ops second half!).