*** 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.

[C3HIEF3S]

Originally Posted by Great Expectations

You are right, DJ isn't trolling. I just get annoyed with his style of communication. If we were face to face we'd probably be friends. I just get annoyed by people who talk in such absolutes, especially when said person has probably never even seen a 90 mph fastball, tried to turn two, or knows how to drop step to catch a fly ball over his head.

When said person is a fan of the other team, very rarely complimentary of our team, and contradictory of our resident expert (Duncan) I lose respect for them. He does know baseball, especially on an analytical level like PB. I'm just not sure why he is always over here. The positive posts are limited in characters and the negative ones are paragraphs.

IMO, I don't think we should exclude someone from the conversation just because they disagree with Duncan. Nothing wrong with pushing the conversation further.

[lewdog]

I like DJ'posts. He talks in absolutes but nothing in baseball is a given and not everything he predicts will be right. But he makes great talking points and is clearly worthy of talking about the Royals.

Hell, years ago when this team was shit, ain't no way someone who liked baseball but wasn't a Royals fan would wanna talk about KC. Enjoy it.

[duncan_idaho]

For what it's worth, I have a lot of respect for DJ's baseball takes.

We may disagree from time-to-time, but that's a good thing, really.

If you're not willing to engage with the idea you might be wrong, you don't push your knowledge forward.

I'm proud of the baseball community we have here. Good balance of fun, fandom, and baseball discussion.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Prison Bitch]

West gate Vegas didn't put Royals as top 10 odds to win the AL. Seems dumb. They had the Angels 10th at 20-1. They suck hard

[WhawhaWhat]

Royals announce partnership with McDonalds. When Royals turn a double play in a game this season, a McDouble will cost $1 the next day.

— Pete Grathoff (@pgrathoff) February 15, 2017

[Chiefspants]

Originally Posted by WhawhaWhat

Royals announce partnership with McDonalds. When Royals turn a double play in a game this season, a McDouble will cost $1 the next day.

— Pete Grathoff (@pgrathoff) February 15, 2017

If Moore and Glass are wanting to make us America's team, getting the backing of McDonald's and Wal-Mart truly gets us there.

[CaliforniaChief]

Having DJ and Duncan on this thread makes this a fantastic place for insight and information. Thanks guys!

[wazu]

The only thing killing my enthusiasm for this season is Soria. Just hate that no matter how bad he is, they'll keep running him out there.

[ChiTown]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

Having DJ and Duncan on this thread makes this a fantastic place for insight and information. Thanks guys!

^^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by wazu

The only thing killing my enthusiasm for this season is Soria. Just hate that no matter how bad he is, they'll keep running him out there.

I wonder if potentially he doesn't get bumped down behind Herrera, Strahm, and Wood? If he is your 4th or 5th option I can live with that.

[Fansy the Famous Bard]

Originally Posted by Great Expectations

You are right, DJ isn't trolling. I just get annoyed with his style of communication. If we were face to face we'd probably be friends. I just get annoyed by people who talk in such absolutes, especially when said person has probably never even seen a 90 mph fastball, tried to turn two, or knows how to drop step to catch a fly ball over his head.

When said person is a fan of the other team, very rarely complimentary of our team, and contradictory of our resident expert (Duncan) I lose respect for them. He does know baseball, especially on an analytical level like PB. I'm just not sure why he is always over here. The positive posts are limited in characters and the negative ones are paragraphs.

DJ is typically one of the most level-headed baseball minds out there (when we're not talking about the cards). He brings a lot to the Royals threads. Of course, I feel the same about PB who many people absolutely despise.

[Fansy the Famous Bard]

Originally Posted by wazu

The only thing killing my enthusiasm for this season is Soria. Just hate that no matter how bad he is, they'll keep running him out there.

We keep talking about Strahm in the 8th... You guys do understand what is going to happen, right? Edgar is going to trot Soria out there as our 8th inning setup man.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by Great Expectations

You are right, DJ isn't trolling. I just get annoyed with his style of communication. If we were face to face we'd probably be friends. I just get annoyed by people who talk in such absolutes, especially when said person has probably never even seen a 90 mph fastball, tried to turn two, or knows how to drop step to catch a fly ball over his head.

When said person is a fan of the other team, very rarely complimentary of our team, and contradictory of our resident expert (Duncan) I lose respect for them. He does know baseball, especially on an analytical level like PB. I'm just not sure why he is always over here. The positive posts are limited in characters and the negative ones are paragraphs.

What the hell do you want, man? In the last 2-3 weeks alone I said that Karns is a potential top of the rotation starter, said Cuthbert can be a similar hitter to Anthony Rendon and have a whole post dedicated to how dynamic Strahm's stuff is. I was trying to convince you guys on Soler well before most came around on him and had the Wil Myers comparisons days before Rany, Petro or anyone else. I said your '14 bullpen likely had the best season baseball has ever or WILL ever seen. I said the people conceding the division to the Indians are out in front of their skiis at the moment and that the Royals are going to be better than many think. Just how much Royal dick do you need me to suck? Because I think Hosmer's overrated and Hammel is a product of pristine defense and the pitchers spot in the order? Christ you're a pussy.

Long rant to follow:

Spoiler!

As for what I've done - I know that the only thing complicated about a drop step is calling it a drop step. I was coached to flip hips but I suspect it's the same thing. I know that it's far more critical to have the eye/ear to immediately determine where the ball is going to land, turn your back on it and have the internal clock to run to that spot and relocate the ball before you run out of time. There are good major league outfielders that don't do this correctly but there aren't any great ones that don't. Additionally, it's not terribly relevant as I was an infielder - a very good defensive shortstop and a much worse defensive 2b with a season spent, oddly enough, at C. Yes, I've turned many a DP and I know the footwork quite well largely because I NEVER got comfortable with it at 2b. The game is backwards over there and I never bought into the idea that I'm supposed to use the bag to protect me (afterall, that's what the ball is for; I have one and the runner doesn't). I hated the timing, the spin on the ball, the throws across the body, the plays away from the bag. I was never worth a damn at planting on the pivot over there and was guilty way too often of coming over the bag, putting myself in harms way and killing the velocity on the throw (while simultaneously tailing it). I'll never be convinced that 2b is not the harder position; it absolutely is.

I've never overstated my exploits round here in football or baseball. I've never faced 90 mph heat because I couldn't recognize breaking balls and never generated proper loft in my swing because my wrists have never been loose enough as a hitter to get the bat whip I needed without sacrificing control so needless to say I wasn't facing premier pitching. I was a damn smart, intuitive player that did well with what I had. I won't defer to anyone here when it comes to baseball Football is a different story; I know it but I can't coach it. I can coach baseball. You want to talk swing mechanics, I can do that all day even if I was taught a fairly outdated method - chopping wood, which has fallen out of favor because frankly it's wrong, but the fundamental concepts of sequential energy transfer are the same as they've ever been. Defensive footwork and fundamentals are how I got any of the playing time I ever had (and to this day I can fire a strike to a labrador with a tennis ball from virtually any arm angle due to how I was taught to protect myself at short).

As for your respect - the **** if I care; I don't even know who you are. I'm here because I enjoy talking ball with Duncan and a few others and because I'll talk baseball with a mortician if he shows interest in it. I'm not always right because nobody's always right, but I'm right more often than most. If you want someone that's going to show up and say dumb shit like "Lorenzo Cain is a .950 OPS player who's going to hit 25 homeruns" well hey, Hootie's back so enjoy him.

[ChiTown]

Originally Posted by fahrenheit

We keep talking about Strahm in the 8th... You guys do understand what is going to happen, right? Edgar is going to trot Soria out there as our 8th inning setup man.

I am praying to the 8#6oz Baby Jesus every night that Soria is a more effective pitcher this year. Either that, or he just doesn't see any action in high leverage situations.

[wazu]

Originally Posted by ChiTown

I am praying to the 8#6oz Baby Jesus every night that Soria is a more effective pitcher this year. Either that, or he just doesn't see any action in high leverage situations.

But don't you realize how many career saves he has!?

/Ned