Royals Official Royals Repository, Part 5 *** - Page 8

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.

ChiefsCountry · 10-10-2015, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamTheIrish

Looking back, Duff pitched pretty well down there v DK. Gave up the HR to Springer. But the Royals put runners in scoring position and never got them home.

Best of three now.

I feel pretty good going against Keuchel actually.

tredadda · 10-10-2015, 10:56 AM

The best way for them to beat DK is to get over the mental part that says he is unbeatable at home. There is nothing different about their park from a mound to plate perspective, nothing special in the water or in the air. His biggest advantages are the crowd and the "air" of invincibility at home. If we don't let that get to us we can beat him. We already did once this year.

**lewdog** · 10-10-2015, 10:58 AM

Getting to the Astros pen is the best way to beat DK.

ARROW2 · 10-10-2015, 11:15 AM

**** THE ASSHOLES

C3HIEF3S · 10-10-2015, 11:24 AM

We've beaten Keuchel before, we can beat him again. Or he can go out there and dominate, either way it's October and we have to beat the best to be the best. This team usually doesn't see too worried about it.

Three7s · 10-10-2015, 11:32 AM

To beat Keuchel, the righties will have to do some work. It's a short porch in left field, so it doesn't take much to get it over that wall, they just need to make solid contact.

C3HIEF3S · 10-10-2015, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Three7s

To beat Keuchel, the righties will have to do some work. It's a short porch in left field, so it doesn't take much to get it over that wall, they just need to make solid contact.

*calling LoCain and K-MO*

**Anyong Bluth** · 10-10-2015, 11:59 AM

It may be ugly, but I'll take the ugly win over the beautiful loss!

**Anyong Bluth** · 10-10-2015, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

I feel pretty good going against Keuchel actually.

This team this year has an inexplicable knack for hitting aces and doing better than expected. They've also made scrubs out of the back end of the rotation look like the next big name in baseball on the rise to becoming a top of the line pitcher?

It's not even worth trying to figure out except that the only thing I can chalk it up to is that we have a lineup of ++ contact hitters. These guys are rarely as a group going to come up whiffing completely at whatever stuff they see. It may not be squared up but they can get a piece.

Couple this with motivation knowing that they are going to be facing an Ace and instinctively they are simply more focused and able to minimize any distractions when up to bat.

It may be just a bunch of mumbo-jumbo, but it's the best I can theorize for their inverse results all season long?

Why Not? · 10-10-2015, 12:21 PM

They way I see it, most everyone thinks this game is a win for the Astros, which kind of makes it a must win for them. No pressure on our guys. Volquez has made it a point to try to be better than Shields this year. Go give us 7 shutout innings against Keuchel and mission accomplished.

**Anyong Bluth** · 10-10-2015, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Why Not?

They way I see it, most everyone thinks this game is a win for the Astros, which kind of makes it a must win for them. No pressure on our guys. Volquez has made it a point to try to be better than Shields this year. Go give us 7 shutout innings against Keuchel and mission accomplished.

In that ballpark with their offense, if he can give you 6 innings and give up 2 runs or less, I'd consider it to be an excellent job by Edison.

At some point the offense has to rise to the level of making their part of an honest contribution.

We've seen it already -

less than 4 runs = <50% chance at a win.

at 4 runs = 50/50 shot.

for every 2 runs added over 4 , increase from 50% by another 10% each time another 2 runs are tacked on.

**lewdog** · 10-10-2015, 01:01 PM

You are gonna have to get 1-2 runs against DK and then attack that bullpen. I believe we can hit anyone out of their pen though. I am not worried there. Not that their pen is bad because it's not, but they don't have one real shut down guy and Sipp is probably their best. We have already shown we can hit Harris out of their pen and he's the next best after Sipp.

CoMoChief · 10-10-2015, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anyong Bluth

It may be ugly, but I'll take the ugly win over the beautiful loss!

Such a lucky hit.

I'll take it though.

KChiefs1 · 10-10-2015, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alnorth

I'm not counting on Keuchel inexplicably having a bad day at home. I'm thinking our best chance to win would be Volquez coming through 6 strong without giving up a run, we run up Keuchel's pitch count, and then score a couple against their bullpen.

I'd take 5 strong from Volquez with Duffy, Herrera, Madson & Davis finishing it off.

Mama Hip Rockets · 10-10-2015, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tredadda

The best way for them to beat DK is to get over the mental part that says he is unbeatable at home. There is nothing different about their park from a mound to plate perspective, nothing special in the water or in the air. His biggest advantages are the crowd and the "air" of invincibility at home. If we don't let that get to us we can beat him. We already did once this year.

Yep, I agree. There's no reason they shouldn't be able to score runs in that stupid-ass stadium.

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.
Posts: 22,411

10-10-2015, 10:56 AM	#107
tredadda Three-Pat Join Date: May 2011 Location: Colorado Springs Casino cash: $-1884947	The best way for them to beat DK is to get over the mental part that says he is unbeatable at home. There is nothing different about their park from a mound to plate perspective, nothing special in the water or in the air. His biggest advantages are the crowd and the "air" of invincibility at home. If we don't let that get to us we can beat him. We already did once this year.
Posts: 19,264

10-10-2015, 10:58 AM	#108
lewdog Mod Team Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Valley of the hot as **** Casino cash: $-1488100	Getting to the Astros pen is the best way to beat DK.
Posts: 46,327

10-10-2015, 11:15 AM	#109
ARROW2 MVP Join Date: Mar 2002 Casino cash: $9114329	**** THE ASSHOLES
Posts: 6,043

10-10-2015, 11:24 AM	#110
C3HIEF3S Let's Get Weird Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Austin Casino cash: $9910098	We've beaten Keuchel before, we can beat him again. Or he can go out there and dominate, either way it's October and we have to beat the best to be the best. This team usually doesn't see too worried about it.
Posts: 15,232

10-10-2015, 11:32 AM	#111
Three7s MVP Join Date: Nov 2008 Casino cash: $10084719	To beat Keuchel, the righties will have to do some work. It's a short porch in left field, so it doesn't take much to get it over that wall, they just need to make solid contact. __________________ $E:\AlexGordon1-1.jpg$ Want some easy money, click here!
Posts: 6,739

10-10-2015, 11:59 AM	#113
Anyong Bluth Deus ambulans inter homines Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chicago Casino cash: $9439340	It may be ugly, but I'll take the ugly win over the beautiful loss! __________________ Suck it, *beautiful*
Posts: 14,938

10-10-2015, 12:21 PM	#115
Why Not? In Search of a Life Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Kansas Casino cash: $-591006	They way I see it, most everyone thinks this game is a win for the Astros, which kind of makes it a must win for them. No pressure on our guys. Volquez has made it a point to try to be better than Shields this year. Go give us 7 shutout innings against Keuchel and mission accomplished.
Posts: 23,853

10-10-2015, 01:01 PM	#117
lewdog Mod Team Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Valley of the hot as **** Casino cash: $-1488100	You are gonna have to get 1-2 runs against DK and then attack that bullpen. I believe we can hit anyone out of their pen though. I am not worried there. Not that their pen is bad because it's not, but they don't have one real shut down guy and Sipp is probably their best. We have already shown we can hit Harris out of their pen and he's the next best after Sipp.
Posts: 46,327