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.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Zeke

uh...

Was posting on mobile and fat fingered. Meant to say 8 and just didn't see it.

I was with Al... considering what he inherited, it was going to take a long time to rebuild correctly.

Problem is, he brought some dinosaurs with him from the Braves organization to run things, and they ran them poorly.

Minor league pitching development was pretty awful at the high minors. One noted issue is that all pitchers were forced into a fastball, changeup, curveball development schedule, even if they were better suited to throw a slider, unless they were college pitchers with an established arsenal. This was Bill Fischer's regime, and it failed.

I hear better things about development under Mark Davis. Much more individual approach and much more open. I don't know that Ventura develops the same way if he spends 11, 12 and 13 working under Fischer's tent.

And the hitting approach... has been coordinated by Jack Maloof from 2008-until last year, when he had that ill-fated stint as Royals hitting coach.

Maloof is best known for his work with Tony Gwynn and is noted for contact and average work. I'd imagine that organizational philosophy is why so many Royals hitters have a hard time handling inside pitches and hitting for power. But just a guess, there.

Thankfully, Maloof is no longer the hitting coordinator (as far as I can tell).

[Strongside]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

You're more than welcome to start rooting for the Cardinals and posting in the Cards thread. Passionate baseball fans are always appreciated.

I'll come in, take a fat nasty, and leave. Thanks for the hospitality, though.

[Strongside]

Originally Posted by alnorth

The National League isn't real baseball.

Neither is Royals baseball, so it's convenient.

[Pablo]

Originally Posted by Strongside

I'll come in, take a fat nasty, and leave. Thanks for the hospitality, though.

It's impossible to root for the Cards if you've ever called the Royals your team.

Too much bound up resentment and jealousy to ever make that switch.

[Pablo]

Originally Posted by Strongside

Neither is Royals baseball, so it's convenient.

This is also true.

[WilliamTheIrish]

Originally Posted by Pablo

It's impossible to root for the Cards if you've ever called the Royals your team.

Too much bound up resentment and jealousy to ever make that switch.

You know, it wasn't hard for me prior to 1985. My mom and family had close StL ties. Went to a lot of games in old Busch Stadium. KMOX radio could be picked up in Topeka on the right night and WREN radio was a broadcast affiliate in Topeka for many years.
My mom worked at Sportsmans Park as a teen. But that series turned me off StL forever.

Right now, I'm not sure if I dislike the Royals or the Cards more. I think I hate the Royals more.

[stonedstooge]

Cool, we're the underdogs again. Great position to sneak in and win the division

[Three7s]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

I have a question about the Royals' hitting approach:

What is their organizational philosophy? Do they want their hitter to be patient or attack the first hittable pitch? Also, do they want their hitters to pull the ball if it's in the middle or further in, or do they want their hitters to wait until the ball is deep into the zone to drive it the other way?

Thanks.

As of right now? I'd say it's look for the first hittable pitch and hit it. They don't really show any patience unless it's an obvious part of the game-plan, and there's little to no pitch recognition by any of the players in the lineup with the exception of Infante.

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

I'm just tired of Glass and Dayton remaining so silent. I mean, how can they find this crap acceptable? put some ultimatums on your team.

It would be different if this was only the 2nd or 3rd year of a rebuild. expectations were to make the playoffs, not just be happy your at the MLB level.
Posted via Mobile Device

I was wrong. Dayton spoke today! Hooray! Same old song and dance.

NO need to panic Royals Fans. Patience....






SAN DIEGO — Fresh off a crushing extra-innings defeat on Monday night, Royals manager Dayton Moore preached the necessity of accountability with his wayward club.



But do not expect sweeping changes in the wake of a five-game losing streak.

Instead, Moore stressed in a telephone conversation Tuesday afternoon, the team remains committed to their current crop of players and coaching staff.

Moore has placed his faith – and staked his reputation – on the ability of the on-field personnel to adjust their approach in the face of adversity.

“As a team, our players, our coaching staff and our front office have all shared a level of frustration with a 14-17 start,” Moore said. “We know we’re capable of being much better. We understand where our deficiencies are. And we’re working through them.”

From his seat, Moore believes their chief deficiency is obvious. He cited a lack of production and a spate of over-aggression when batting with runners in scoring position. Night after night, the players struggle to capitalize in these spots, he said.

“The truth of the matter is we are where we are because we have failed to have quality at-bats in RBI situations,” Moore said.

The Royals rank 24th in the majors with a .648 on-base plus slugging percentage with runners in scoring position. They are also one of baseball’s least effective clubs at putting runners there. The team ranks 22nd in on-base percentage (.307) and 25th in slugging percentage (.364).

The lack of offensive production is a chronic, continual issue for this club. It was also the source of their decline in 2013, when an 8-20 record in May sunk the team’s playoff hopes. The Royals are now 0-5 this May.

Moore indicated he had no intention of making changes to the coaching staff, and stressed his confidence in manager Ned Yost and hitting coach Pedro Grifol.

Yost received a two-year extension after 2013. Moore also said there was no plan to expand the role of George Brett, who joined the staff as a temporary hitting coach last May and still serves as an advisor.

“George is involved,” Moore said. “He may not be in the dugout or on the field, but George is in constant communication with Pedro, myself, whoever. When George is at the game, we sit up there and we look at video and we talk about hitters. He’s back and forth with Pedro.”

The changes are expected to be more subtle. Moore seeks more patience from his hitters. He expects the team’s core of Eric Hosmer, Billy Butler and Alex Gordon to produce in RBI situations. He is frustrated with their lack of results when swinging at 3-0 pitches, but does not want the organization to place restrictions on players.

“You don’t want to have your hitters go up there and have everything scripted out on what they can and can’t do,” Moore said. “They’re major-league hitters. They have to have a certain level of freedom and ownership of their at-bat. It’s their at-bat. It belongs to them. And they’re accountable to the team.”

He added, “I know how Ned manages. He’s given guys a little more freedom right now. If it doesn’t turn around . . .”

There are few tweaks available to the roster. The farm system is bereft of top-flight talent at the upper levels. The Royals lack the funds necessary to pursue the two premier remaining free agents, infielder Stephen Drew and first baseman Kendrys Morales, according to people familiar with the situation. And it is too early in the season for serious trade discussions.

Thus, for the immediate future, the composition of the 2014 Royals will not change.

“We believed in this team in November of 2013,” Moore said. “We made some adjustments to this baseball team, we made some additions that we felt good about prior to spring training. When we left spring training, we felt positive about this team. And after 31 games, there’s no reason not to remain very positive about the 2014 season.”

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2014/05/06...#storylink=cpy

[Three7s]

[Al Bundy]

Kyle Zimmer had some mild soreness & his first XST start of the year now pushed to next week. @Royals hope to have in peak form in Aug/Sept.

— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) May 7, 2014

[gblowfish]

I'm sure George is thrilled at having his name dragged into this shitfest again this year...

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by gblowfish

I'm sure George is thrilled at having his name dragged into this shitfest again this year...

If George can be drunk and be an asshole to everyone, he doesn't give a flying **** how this team performs.

[Prison Bitch]

Originally Posted by WilliamTheIrish

You know, it wasn't hard for me prior to 1985. My mom and family had close StL ties. Went to a lot of games in old Busch Stadium. KMOX radio could be picked up in Topeka on the right night and WREN radio was a broadcast affiliate in Topeka for many years.
My mom worked at Sportsmans Park as a teen. But that series turned me off StL forever.

Right now, I'm not sure if I dislike the Royals or the Cards more. I think I hate the Royals more.

Oh rubbish. My mom grew up outside stl and her and her siblings listened to that old hack Jack Buck in the day. All her kids are big Royals fans growing up here. I'd poke my eyes out with hot needles before I ever rooted for those shitheads out east.

[WilliamTheIrish]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

Oh rubbish. My mom grew up outside stl and her and her siblings listened to that old hack Jack Buck in the day. All her kids are big Royals fans growing up here. I'd poke my eyes out with hot needles before I ever rooted for those shitheads out east.

By all means, go all Louis Braille on yourself.