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.

[Dartgod]

Originally Posted by Brainiac

JFC, enough already with your obsession with Mike Sweeney. The way you constantly go on and on about him, I'm starting to think he must have ass raped your wife.

He's just the latest in the line of whipping boys for GBF. He clearly hates the Royals.

[chefsos]

Originally Posted by Wilson8

Maybe a clue in why Florida Marlins claimed and then released Jimmy Paredes. After they claimed him, he played winter ball in the Dominican League and batted .176 in 20 games and 68 at bats.

Baltimore only kept him for 2 days. Not sure why they bothered.

Maybe give him a chance in Omaha and see if he can do anything.

When the O's signed Yoon, someone had to go and Paredes was the obvious choice because he was never really there to begin with.

But yeah, your point stands, I don't know why they wasted the time and effort either.

[BlackHelicopters]

I would wager that neither Santana nor his agent thought he would not have a job this late into February. Stunning turn of events.

[nychief]

Originally Posted by chefsos

When the O's signed Yoon, someone had to go and Paredes was the obvious choice because he was never really there to begin with.

But yeah, your point stands, I don't know why they wasted the time and effort either.

he has an option... 40th guy on the roster... good for Omaha.

[gblowfish]

Originally Posted by Brainiac

JFC, enough already with your obsession with Mike Sweeney. The way you constantly go on and on about him, I'm starting to think he must have ass raped your wife.

"Día Bueno, Señor. ¿Me daría usted un trasero atractivo roza?"

Mike Sweeney settles into new role during first day back with Royals
February 17
By ANDY McCULLOUGH
The Kansas City Star

SURPRISE, Ariz. — Yordano Ventura swiveled in his seat and stared into the former face of the Royals.

“ Buenos dias, Señor,” Mike Sweeney said. “How’s your body feeling?”
“Good,” Ventura said after they clasped hands.
“I’m rooting for you,” Sweeney said as he continued his greeting tour through the clubhouse he once called home.

He walked into a hallway where his name is painted five separate times, an affirmation of his All-Star appearances as a Royal. He showed up at 5:30 a.m. for his first official day as a special assistant to baseball operations. He compared it to the first day of school: Unsure of his surroundings, unfamiliar with all the new faces.

When Sweeney last wore this uniform, he was the team’s captain. “Now I’m just a deckhand,” he said.

Sweeney, the 40-year-old former first baseman and catcher, played 13 years for this organization. His name is inked throughout the franchise record book: Second in career homers (197), sixth in hits (1,398), sixth in runs (700) and second in on-base-plus-slugging percentage (.861). His second chapter is just beginning.

He plans to spend the week in Surprise. He’ll make two similar trips in March. His itinerary for the regular season has yet to be decided. General manager Dayton Moore described Sweeney’s role as a blend of scouting and advising. He will observe the minor-league clubs, visit Kauffman Stadium and dabble in other areas.

Manager Ned Yost described Sweeney as a positive influence, and valuable to “pitch in where he needs to pitch in.” For 20 minutes on Monday, Sweeney huddled with Billy Butler. Sweeney sees Alex Gordon and James Shields as this team’s leaders. He believes Butler can join their number.
As they sat on chairs by Butler’s locker, Sweeney explained how baseball players fit into two categories. “They’re either a fountain or a drain,” Sweeney said. “They’re either sucking the life out or pouring life in. I was just challenging Billy: ‘You’re one of the best hitters on the planet. Be a fountain.’”

As this season progresses, the organization hopes Sweeney finds a more exact niche for the coming years. For now, he is a resource this team’s youthful core can draw from. Another prominent former Royal, Jason Kendall, is here as an instructor. Asked about Kendall’s formal title, one team official cracked “Sir.”

Sweeney projects a slightly less intimidating presence. His 20-minute conversation with Butler was interrupted by various greetings. Sweeney kidded Mike Moustakas for carrying a skateboard into the clubhouse. He called Luke Hochevar “my brother.” He introduced himself to reporters by saying, “Hi, I’m Mike.”

He last played for the Royals in 2007. Only three teammates from that year are still with the club: Butler, Gordon and Hochevar. Butler was 21 then. Gordon was 22. Hochevar was the eldest of the bunch. He was 23.

Sweeney marveled at how the group had grown. He praised the front office and ownership for assembling this club, which won 86 games in 2013 and intends to top that amount this coming season.

“They’ve assembled a great machine in this locker room,” Sweeney said. “Now it’s just a matter of getting them to be their best.”

During the morning’s workout, as pitchers and catchers headed toward the first official session of live batting practice, Sweeney hung back from the group. Then he jogged across a tan walkway that connects the various diamonds. He slowed as he caught up to Yost and the rest of the group.
“This team has nothing to do with an old, broken-down guy like me,” Sweeney said. “It has everything to do with them. I just want to be of service.”

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2014/02/17...#storylink=cpy

[stonedstooge]

You missed a question Sweeney asked Ventura
"Sabia usted que soy una legenda en el baisbol?"

[gblowfish]

"Ouch, mis daños traseros!"

[BlackHelicopters]

Que?

[Prison Bitch]

Ubaldo Jimenez got 4/48 which is a bit below what Garza got. So the market for Santana seems to be coming into clear vision now. I would suspect he'll end up getting a year less, something like 3/33 or such.

[TLO]

How many outfielders will we keep on the 25 man roster?

Gordon, Cain, Aoki, Dyson, Maxwell?

[Mr. Laz]

Royals are right: Ervin Santana’s terms remain too rich, and risky
February 18
BY SAM MELLINGER
The Kansas City Star

The Royals have spent the last two decades training their fans to expect the worst. Always the worst.

So there can be no complaining on their part that The Best Royals Team in a Generation (on paper, anyway) is greeted with some skepticism and second-guessing. To that end, the Orioles sent the Royals’ front office a bit of a pick-me-up by signing right-handed starter Ubaldo Jimenez to a four-year, $50 million contract.

The lingering criticism of an otherwise very solid Royals offseason is that right-hander Ervin Santana remains a free agent, available to the highest bidder, and a lot of fans have a hard time with the fact that the highest bidder almost certainly will not be the Royals.

The Royals won their most games since 1989 last year with the league’s best defense and ERA, which they achieved in no small part because Santana gave them 211 innings with a 3.24 ERA. Yordano Ventura and Danny Duffy could each have terrific and long careers and never match those numbers in one season.

Industry insiders were generally split on the Jimenez-vs.-Santana debate going into the offseason, and Jimenez’s contract is basically identical to the one that right-hander Matt Garza signed with the Brewers. So if these deals are an indication of the remaining market, and provide a framework for Santana’s next contract, the Royals will look better for not joining the most serious bidders for Santana.

There are two simultaneous, somewhat conflicting truths here: 1) the Royals misread the market for Santana this offseason, and 2) even if they hadn’t signed Jason Vargas to a four-year, $32 million deal, they still probably would not go to four years and $50 million for Santana.

And justifiably so, no matter what many in Kansas City say.

Free-agent contracts for starting pitchers are always risky, and that’s true even if the starting pitcher didn’t just turn 32 with a history that includes both a lot of mileage and some questions among scouts and executives about how long his elbow can hold up.

When Santana is sharp, he is a joy to watch and a nightmare to swing against. He is smooth, relentless, and aggressive — according to FanGraphs, only David Price threw a higher percentage of first-pitch strikes among qualified American League pitchers last year. The lasting image of Santana in a Royals uniform is him striking someone out on a 1-2 slider, and then eating a banana in the dugout on days between starts.

There is a dark side to Santana’s history, too. The elbow is certainly part of it — last year, 38.5 percent of Santana’s pitches were sliders, by far the biggest percentage in baseball.

But even if you trust the elbow — it should be noted that Santana has made 128 starts and pitched 840 1/3 innings over the last four years, both among baseball’s top 20 — there are wild inconsistencies in his performance that make a long-term deal especially risky. He has five good seasons among his nine in the big leagues. In the other four, he has missed starts and has a 5.16 ERA. Those are red flags when teams are investing $50 million or so in a 32-year-old pitcher.

None of this takes into consideration that the baseline for any large free-agent contract to a starting pitcher is a success rate of less than 30 percent.

Looking at various projection models and talking to several scouts, the long-term expectation for Santana is a drop-off from very good to good in 2014, followed by the normal decline you would expect from a starting pitcher in his mid-30s.

So while the Royals won’t be able to replace Santana’s production from 2013, it’s also unlikely that Santana will be able to replicate his success of 2013.

From the Royals’ side, the math is further complicated by the fact that they stand to gain a draft pick (and the proportionate spending allowance under MLB’s new draft rules) if and when Santana signs somewhere else.

Now, none of this means the Royals played this perfectly. Vargas and Santana are the same age, so the same disclaimers about regression apply here (though there is less in Vargas’ history to suggest either major risk or reward, and he will benefit from the Royals’ strong defense). The Royals went longer with Vargas than they would’ve liked with four years, but the $8 million average salary is a fine tradeoff.

The whole key to the rotation, besides health, remains Yordano Ventura and Danny Duffy. So the Vargas deal is a measured gamble. The Royals are purchasing (at a lower cost) the kind of stability they don’t see in Santana, in exchange for a better environment for the bigger potential of the young, homegrown starters (Kyle Zimmer could join this discussion after the All-Star break).

With a higher cost, Santana will almost certainly outperform Vargas this season. So in this way, even in a critical season to make good on the blockbuster trade that brought James Shields to Kansas City, the Royals are sacrificing some now with the long-term in mind.

The plan has its positives, especially in avoiding the risk of a big deal with Santana. But the plan will look a lot better if someone signs Santana to a contract similar to Jimenez’s.

To reach Sam Mellinger, call 816-234-4365, send email to smellinger@kcstar.com or follow twitter.com/mellinger. For previous columns, go to KansasCity.com.

[alnorth]

In case anyone is wondering, we'll still get the draft pick if someone else signs Santana soon after the season starts. He'd have to go unsigned until after the draft is over for the compensation to drop off.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by alnorth

In case anyone is wondering, we'll still get the draft pick if someone else signs Santana soon after the season starts. He'd have to go unsigned until after the draft is over for the compensation to drop off.

I thought that deadline was June 15? Haven't looked it up since last year, though.

[alnorth]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

I thought that deadline was June 15? Haven't looked it up since last year, though.

This year the draft is June 5-7

[penguinz]

Originally Posted by Brainiac

JFC, enough already with your obsession with Mike Sweeney. The way you constantly go on and on about him, I'm starting to think he must have ass raped your wife.

He ran out of things to spam the forum with so now he is going to continue to be obsessed with something as dumb as this.