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.

[alnorth]

Regarding that whole Jed Lowrie situation, I've never been a fan of that "unwritten rule" in a blowout. Porter should quit his whining and worry about his own team, teams can come back from huge deficits and even if you don't think you can, its still an official MLB baseball game and I expect the players to keep playing.

If it really bothers you to see a team bunting for a base hit in a blowout, if that really hurts your feelings, then ask MLB to put in some kind of little league mercy rule for your team. Or forfeit the game, I think the rules allow you to do that.

[SPATCH]

Originally Posted by alnorth

Regarding that whole Jed Lowrie situation, I've never been a fan of that "unwritten rule" in a blowout. Porter should quit his whining and worry about his own team, teams can come back from huge deficits and even if you don't think you can, its still an official MLB baseball game and I expect the players to keep playing.

If it really bothers you to see a team bunting for a base hit in a blowout, if that really hurts your feelings, then ask MLB to put in some kind of little league mercy rule for your team. Or forfeit the game, I think the rules allow you to do that.

My thing is that the Astros were in the shift. If someone is playing the shift on me, I'm dropping bunts FREQUENTLY. **** 'em.

Hit it where they ain't. That's baseball.

[Anyong Bluth]

Originally Posted by alnorth

Regarding that whole Jed Lowrie situation, I've never been a fan of that "unwritten rule" in a blowout. Porter should quit his whining and worry about his own team, teams can come back from huge deficits and even if you don't think you can, its still an official MLB baseball game and I expect the players to keep playing.

If it really bothers you to see a team bunting for a base hit in a blowout, if that really hurts your feelings, then ask MLB to put in some kind of little league mercy rule for your team. Or forfeit the game, I think the rules allow you to do that.

They make millions and are supposed to be professionals. Why shouldn't a guy be able to work on their bunting in live situations? Especially a skill that has become a dying art and so many guys are horrible at getting one down properly.

This isn't the same thing as for example a top college football team facing some clearly outmatched directional school and piling on the score when it's not a fair fight.

[alnorth]

Originally Posted by Anyong Bluth

They make millions and are supposed to be professionals. Why shouldn't a guy be able to work on their bunting in live situations? Especially a skill that has become a dying art and so many guys are horrible at getting one down properly.

This isn't the same thing as for example a top college football team facing some clearly outmatched directional school and piling on the score when it's not a fair fight.

yeah, I can kinda understand that situation in college ball where you paid off a blood donor to die on your field, but in the pros the fans are collectively paying them a lot of money.

I don't care if the Royals are losing at home 27-zip in the top of the 9th with 2 outs, if the other team drops a bunt I'm not gonna boo.

[Anyong Bluth]

Originally Posted by alnorth

yeah, I can kinda understand that situation in college ball where you paid off a blood donor to die on your field, but in the pros the fans are collectively paying them a lot of money.

I don't care if the Royals are losing at home 27-zip in the top of the 9th with 2 outs, if the other team drops a bunt I'm not gonna boo.

Bottom line, everyone is supposed to be at the top of their game, so you ultimately should be able to get them out and control this more than anyone else.

Nobody is stopping you from adjustments to make a play on the bunt.

[Mama Hip Rockets]

Originally Posted by SPATCH

My thing is that the Astros were in the shift. If someone is playing the shift on me, I'm dropping bunts FREQUENTLY. **** 'em.

Hit it where they ain't. That's baseball.

Yep. Totally agree.

[Prison Bitch]

There was a game some years ago, I believe Schilling was carrying a no-no into the 8th, and some little pillowbiter tried to lay down a bunt. I think that set off a huge shitstorm as it should have. I'dhave drilled that little punk everytime he batted the next game.


edit: just found it. HAHAHAAHA!
10 years later, Bob Brenly still bitter about Ben Davis’ bunt
Matthew Pouliot May 27, 2011, 5:30 PM EDT

Whether our entry yesterday had anything to do with it or not, Cubs PBP man Len Kasper decided to bring up the Curt Schilling game with former Diamondbacks manager and current Cubs color guy Bob Brenly today on WGN.

And Brenly still isn’t happy about the play, saying that Davis did in fact break unwritten rules by bunting to ruin Schilling’s chance at a perfect game on May 26, 2001. Kasper pointed out that the bunt single brought the tying run to the plate, and Brenly didn’t much seem to care, saying it was never right to break up a no-hitter with a bunt.
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/20...en-davis-bunt/

[Anyong Bluth]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

There was a game some years ago, I believe Schilling was carrying a no-no into the 8th, and some little pillowbiter tried to lay down a bunt. I think that set off a huge shitstorm as it should have. I'dhave drilled that little punk everytime he batted the next game.

I can see it both ways- are we talking a 2 or 3 run game? Then **** you, I'm not "giving" you a nono. 5+ runs late innings different story.

Even though I'd sort of side on having some pride to not get egged as a team vs their pitcher. Old school guys wouldn't lay down and take that.

[Prison Bitch]

Yeah I don't think laying down a bunt late in a blowout is a big deal. Hell, laying one down in a close one isn't either. But laying one down to disrupt a no-hitter is beyond embarrassing and is deserving of a 95mph beanball into the back.

[Tytanium]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

He's a natural inside out swinger and when guys look to go opposite field they are susceptible to being busted inside. Would like to see him sacrifice some hits (like the bloop double on the LF line earlier tonight) and letting his natural power work by pulling it more even if he makes a few more outs

Does he bother to square up the grain of the bat with the ball? Jeter does the same thing and has a lot of broken bats too.

[Deberg_1990]

Butler headed back to cleanup


On Thursday night, when his low line drive buzzed through the Astros’ infield, Royals designated hitter Billy Butler felt a sense of relief. “There it is,” he thought, the sort of reward he had spent days searching for.



The single on Thursday came during his first at-bat of the season as the team’s No. 6 hitter. After four games in that role, Butler will likely shift back to the cleanup spot for Monday’s series opener in Cleveland, manager Ned Yost said.

“I went into this season as the four-hole hitter,” Butler said after going two for four in an 8-3 loss to Minnesota on Sunday at Kauffman Stadium. “That’s what they want me to be. I feel like I’ve earned that. I’ve just got to go out there and do what I’m supposed to do.”

The reason is two-fold: Butler has been five for 14 in his last four games and appears to be rounding into his usual form. Meanwhile, Salvador Perez. who replaced Butler as the No. 4 hitter, has batted just .108 in his last nine games. He has one hit in his cleanup cameo.

“Billy’s almost back to being Billy,” Yost said. “He’s freed up. He’s seeing the ball much better. He’s much more comfortable. He looks much better.”

Butler has admitted his mechanics confounded him during the first few weeks. He missed fastballs he once clobbered. He flailed at pitches he normally took. He felt out of sorts.

The pattern began to change last week, as he worked through a series of tweaks with hitting coach Pedro Grifol.

“I’m staying through the ball,” Butler said. “I’m hitting balls. The last four or five games, I’ve been hitting the ball well, squaring it up. It’s the longest time I’ve went where I couldn’t find my timing.”

Meanwhile, Perez has descended into a sizable slump of his own. Yost indicated Perez was “drifting” at the plate, with his upper body and lower half not working in synchronicity.

Perez has caught every game thus far, and Yost dislikes answering questions about Perez’s playing time. But he inserted backup catcher Brett Hayes for the final two innings on Sunday.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2014/04/20...#storylink=cpy

[WhawhaWhat]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Butler headed back to cleanup

He hit .455 in the Twins series so hopefully he's figuring it out.

[Archie F. Swin]

He's returned to warning track power.

[Three7s]

Originally Posted by WhawhaWhat

He hit .455 in the Twins series so hopefully he's figuring it out.

Still not driving the ball the way I'd like, but he is squaring it up more regularly.

[BlackHelicopters]

Butler going first to third yesterday was impressive.