[duncan_idaho]

Baseball Prospectus Top 10:

1) RF Wil Myers
2) SP Kyle Zimmer
3) CF Bubba Starling
4) SS Aldaberto Mondesi
5) SP Yordano Ventura
6) SP Jake Odorizzi
7) RF Jorge Bonifacio
8) 3B Cheslor Cuthbert
9) SP Miguel Almonte
10) SP Jason Adam

Also mentioned:
LHP Sam Selman, RHP Kyle Smith, LHP Mike Montgomery, C Cam Gallagher, LHP John Lamb, 2B/SS Christian Colon

My thoughts: I like Baseball Prospectus because it is the most aggressive scouting publication when it comes to ranking guys. It is less reliant on ranking more known quantities, like Baseball America.

Ranking Almonte this high is a great example of that. So is Cuthbert. Almonte is a "hot" riser who will get a chance to show he can stand up to a longer season this year. Having him this high shows a lot of trust in his stuff (because the production isn't there yet). Cuthbert is a guy who will finally get a chance to repeat a level after being the youngest guy in his league throughout his professional career.

The Royals have a collection of high upside guys (Who tend to have more risk) as BP sees it.

Myers is projected as a .280+, 25+ HR hitter, which is an All-Star caliber player (Ryan Braun lite has been thrown around, and that projection would bear it out).

Starling has the highest ceiling and highest risk, which I think we already knew. The guy could be Matt Kemp if everything works out (But probably with better defense).

Mondesi is so far away, it's hard to project some of the key things (basically, if he develops enough strength/power to succeed in the majors). Right now, I would PERSONALLY take him as a prospect over Francisco Lindor. Mondesi is younger and has more time to develop gap power, something Lindor hasn't really shown. Mondesi also flashes a better hit tool.

Noticeable guys left out:

RHP Angel Baez. Baez flashed impressive stuff at age 21 in Kane County and likely will start the season in Northwest Arkansas (Whose rotation likely is Zimmer, Ventura, Baez, Montgomery and Lamb to start the season. So, basically all the eggs for quick help will be in one basket). Must improve his control (30 BB in 80 IP at Kane County is the biggest worry spot).

SS Orlando Calixte. I'm really high on Calixte, whose value is driven by his bat. As a 20-year-old SS at Death Valley (Aka Wilmington, Delaware), he OPS'd .752, flashing workable OBP skills and good power. He probably can't stick at SS, but a move to 2B could help him rise quickly. Don't be surprised if he EXPLODES offensively when promoted to NWA (which probably happens around mid-season)