Royals *** Official 2016 Royals Offseason Repository *** - Page 133

duncan_idaho · 09:49 AM

Well, folks, it has happened. The Royals stand triumphant, atop the heap of MLB.

In this thread, we'll track the action as Dayton Moore continues The Process and attempts to defend the long-awaited title.

Before we get to the meet of it, let's take a minute to reflect ... and say "I'm Sorry" to Dayton Moore.

We gave you hell. Many of us called for your head. But you were right. You got it done. Congratulations. Mea culpa.

Now, let's talk about the offseason:

LINK TO 2016-18 PAYROLL INFO COURTESY OF ROYALS REVIEW

The Royals will have a few priorities: Corner OF (x2) and 1 SP, IMO. The rest of the core is solid and will need little tweaking. Looking at the increase in ticket sales, merchandising, concessions, parking, etc., I think it's fair to assume the Royals GROSSED $100 million more this season, or close to it. That gives Glass and Dayton Moore much more flexibility on payroll for 2016 (hopefully).

First order of business will be gauging the Alex Gordon market. If he can be resigned for 4-5 years at around $75-80 million total, it would be hard for KC to pass on that. He's still an above-average corner OF bat, and the Royals will need to bring in at least one proven guy to play in a corner if Gordon walks... and the whole market looks a lot like Alex - guys in their early 30s looking for huge, final contracts.

Second order of business: Make a decision on Zobrist. It sounds like KC will pursue him aggressively. At 34, he's at risk of declining in a big way after a few years. If they could find someone to take on Omar Infante for eating 1/2 of his deal, that would be a great start to things.

If they decide not to spend on Zobrist, KC will need to cobble together some sort of plan for 2B/RF that involves some cheaper options like Orlando, Colon, Dyson, etc.

I could see them deciding his ability to provide great insurance at either 2B or in RF is worth the risk.

Third order of business: Add depth to the rotation with a FA SP. Duffy, Ventura, Volquez and Medlen are locks for 4 spots, it seems. Kyle Zimmer may finally be ready to make a MLB impact, but his innings will be limited. That means KC needs insurance. Will it kill two birds with one stone (and insure against Duffy/Ventura regression) by signing a more top-tier guy? Or does Moore look to Chris Young/someone like him for this depth?

Personally, I think Mike Leake would be a great fit with KC's defense and park, and I know Moore has long coveted him. He's still young - just 28 - and has succeeded in bandbox Cincinnati for years.

Ian Kennedy, Mat Latos, Marco Estrada, and Justin Masterson are some other names that may pique interest (a little further down the list).

Other than that, I don't think KC makes any major moves. Greg Holland will be interesting to observe, as they have one more year of control of him, and he will obviously miss all of that season. I wouldn't be surprised to see a pre-arbitration deal that pays him something like $15 million over the next two seasons, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him turned loose, period.

The bullpen will rest upon Wade Davis/Herrera/Hochevar, filling in pieces around them. Bringing Madson back wouldn't be a surprise, but he could get a big deal from another team that is willing to pay him as their top setup guy or even their closer.

I think the biggest prospects to watch in Spring Training will be:

1) Kyle Zimmer. The hype has built, died down, built again, etc. If he's healthy, he's filthy and a potential ToR arm. But what does he look like in ST, and how many innings can you reasonably expect from him if he does earn a rotation spot? It seems like 120-130 innings would be his limit unless they really stretch (or unless he has a lot of hidden innings from simulated games/extended spring training, which might push him to 150-160).

Having another cheap, home-grown pitcher would be a significant boon for this team as it tries to extend the competitive window (and potentially give KC a strong 1-2 to build its rotation around in Zimmer and Ventura)

2) Bubba Starling. I'm trying to remain skeptical, but I like what I hear about Bubba from this season, and the performance has picked up. If KC does not sign someone to fill the RF slot, I think that's a strong indication KC's front office believes Starling will be ready to contribute in 2016.

Dayton Moore has long said that when Starling's light flips on, it will happen quickly and burn brightly. Time will tell.

After his STRONG Arizona Fall League Performance, he shot up my prospect chart.

3) Miguel Almonte. His late-season stint out of the KC bullpen went poorly, but Almonte has a plus-plus changeup, a good fastball, and a decent curve ball. He may be the dark horse in the rotation competition, and unlike Zimmer, he's set up to pitch a full 180 inning season.

4) RA Mondesi. The only player to debut in the MLB World Series has incredible tools. He still needs to refine his game, but again... he may be KC's best cheap, plus alternative at a key position (2B). His defense would be a boon from Day 1, but he needs seasoning with the bat before he's asked to hold down 2B full time.

And, as always, here are the Prospects:

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. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
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.

Spoiler!

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.
18. Eric Skoglund, LHP: Skoglund had a nice year at Wilmington. I'm skeptical because his K rate is lower than I like to see for a guy at A+ - just 7/9, and usually guys lose a strikeout or two/9 as they move up the chain from there - but he has excellent control, walking 1.17 batters/9. 6-7 lefties with great control who get lots of ground balls - like Skoglund - have a chance to overcome bad K rates.
19. Ryan O'Hearn, 1B/LF: A lefty stick with power, O'Hearn was a savings signing as an 8th round pick, but a change in his approach increased his power - while increasing his K rate. After Vallot, probably the best pure power prospect in the Royals system.
20. Josh Staumont, RHP: I was terrified of this guy's control problems, and he walked nearly a batter an inning in his pro debut (32 BB in 40 1/3 IP). Staumont's nasty, nasty stuff (plus-plus fastball, plus slider) could make him a very good late-inning reliever who strikes out more than a batter an inning, if he can develop average or slightly below-average control. If he really masters the control, you're talking about a potential Greg Holland type, but that's a TALL task.

Lex Luthor · 12-28-2015, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamTheIrish

Actually Lex, (And I had to go back and read and watch before I was certain), he entered the game as a replacement for CR Tony Armas who got hurt, and while tracking a long fly ball off Bobby Grich, the ball hit the palm of his glove as he hit the CF wall and it popped out of his glove and over the wall for a 2 run HR.

He was going to be scapegoated for the series.

Well damn, you are correct. I guess I remembered Henderson leaping up and ATTEMPTING to make a great play, and I forgot the part about him not actually making the play at all. Come to think of it, that was part of the drama, wasn't it? Dave Henderson's redemption by hitting the game winning home run.

30 years from now I'll probably be telling people how vividly I remember the Royals winning the 2014 World Series on Alex Gordon's inside-the-park home run in game 7.

TomBarndtsTwin · 12-29-2015, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

that means it's true though in that scenario. And to me, that IS an insulting offer. I'd have started at 4/$70

More than likely, 4 for $60 was the Royals opening offer. A little above the top contracts offered to Meche and Guillen at $55 mil. A little low, but not insulting and gives him the largest contract in Royals history.

I think the Royals would be willing to go 4 for $70 mil, but that would probably be the ending point. They're looking to lock up some younger guys in the next couple years and you don't invest the kind of money Gordo's agent is wanting in a player in their 30's, whose value is very tied up in his defense. Range and speed will decline with age.

That being said, with the plethora of second tier OF options available at cheaper rates, wouldn't shock me if Gordo ended up back in KC at 4 for 70 . . . .

**Anyong Bluth** · 12-29-2015, 12:17 AM

Yankees

/2015 Royals wannabes

Prison Bitch · 12-29-2015, 01:01 AM

When DM took over, what if he said "within 10 years I'll have won a World Series, gone to another one, and had the Yankees copying my methods"

The press room would've erupted in laughter.

Lex Luthor · 12-29-2015, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

When DM took over, what if he said "within 10 years I'll have won a World Series, gone to another one, and had the Yankees copying my methods"

The press room would've erupted in laughter.

That puts Dayton Moore's accomplishments in perspective, doesn't it?

That is why I won't complain no matter what happens with Alex Gordon. GMDM seems to know what the hell he's doing. Any Royals fan who panics now and says bullshit like "The Royals are just cheap bastards" and "David Glass just wants to jerk off on piles of our money" has not been paying attention the last 5 years.

Sure-Oz · 12-29-2015, 08:45 AM

@royalsclubhouse: Alex Gordon, to Lincoln Journal Star, after being asked about Heyman's claim last week that there was no chance of KC contract. "No truth."

BigCatDaddy · 12-29-2015, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

@royalsclubhouse: Alex Gordon, to Lincoln Journal Star, after being asked about Heyman's claim last week that there was no chance of KC contract. "No truth."

Maybe but not sure that is the time or place to say otherwise.

Lex Luthor · 12-29-2015, 10:44 AM

It sounds like Alex Gordon wasn't insulted by the Royals initial offer after all.

Quote:

Alex Gordon says "no truth" to reports the Royals have "no chance" to sign him as things stand

Alex Gordon appeared at a recent event in Omaha to provide baseball instruction to children and took time to comment there was "no truth" to recent reports there was "no chance" he would re-sign with the Royals as things currently stood. According to the Lincoln-Journal Star, Gordon said the experience was "frustrating and exciting", adding:

"I hope to sign sooner than later, but this will all work out for the best,"

Talking with the Omaha World-Herald, Gordon said the Royals were "still in the mix", adding.

"I know what’s going on behind the scenes, and I’m dealing with it the best I can." Gordon said the free-agent experience hasn’t been nerve-racking but added the timeline has been a little surprising.

"I thought it would have been done by now," he said, "but I’m a pretty laid-back guy, so I’m not letting it stress me out."

Gordon said he has enjoyed his time in Kansas City, but indicated to the Lincoln Journal-Star it was his agent, Casey Close, who was leading negotiations.

"We had so much fun, and to be around to see a team grow like Kansas City did and win the World Series was unbelievable," he said.

"Right now I'm unemployed and I pay an agent 4 percent to make the calls, take the calls and let me know what's going on," said Gordon, considered one of the top-producing outfielders in the major leagues and certainly among the elite defensively.

Gordon has been reportedly been low-balled by the Royals, with some believing the offer to be as low as four years, $50 million. Gordon had reportedly been seeking a five year, $100 million deal, leaving a wide gap in negotiations. The Giants, Cardinals, Angels, Orioles, and White Sox were said to be pursuing him, although indications are the Giants, Cardinals, and Angels have all dropped out of the running.

Alex Gordon is coming off his third consecutive All-Star season in which he hit .271/.377/.432 in 422 plate appearances. By WAR, he is coming off the best five-year stretch in Royals history outside of George Brett. He is also coming off a major groin injury and will turn 32 in February.

http://www.royalsreview.com/2015/12/...e-no-chance-to

Coach · 12-29-2015, 11:39 AM

I figured that's the case.

This Heyman individual needs to be neg repped/trolled into submission.

Prison Bitch · 12-29-2015, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach

I figured that's the case.

This Heyman individual needs to be neg repped/trolled into submission.

Why? How would you know who's telling the truth?

Coach · 12-29-2015, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

Why? How would you know who's telling the truth?

I would trust the player/agent than a uninformed reporter who has no well established connections in Kansas City. Especially if it's Alex Gordon.

The problem is, how can one identify how much the market is for Gordon if Upton and Cespedes are still on the market? The longer those two guys who are out there, I have to think it hurts Gordon's value on the market.

Plus, you do remember Michael Bourn? He had to settle for 4/$48M and Bourn was a year younger than Alex when QO-tagged.

I think Alex will find something between 4 years $80 with a 5th year option (you know how much GMDM loves those options), in my opinion.

**Anyong Bluth** · 12-29-2015, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lex Luthor

That puts Dayton Moore's accomplishments in perspective, doesn't it?

That is why I won't complain no matter what happens with Alex Gordon. GMDM seems to know what the hell he's doing. Any Royals fan who panics now and says bullshit like "The Royals are just cheap bastards" and "David Glass just wants to jerk off on piles of our money" has not been paying attention the last 5 years.

It may suck and be a blow to the team to lose Alex, but circumstances are what they are, the market and TV deal hamstrings them for now. Ultimately, as you said - they've earned the right to steer the ship and chart the waters based upon doing something NOBODY expected to be the results.
Back to back WS is a lot harder than even getting on a hot streak and winning one. That dictates true talent and not simply dumb luck.

**Anyong Bluth** · 12-29-2015, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

@royalsclubhouse: Alex Gordon, to Lincoln Journal Star, after being asked about Heyman's claim last week that there was no chance of KC contract. "No truth."

I honestly don't buy a word about the leaked reports. No news is simply no news. Nobody is chomping at the bit to sign him at some grossly overpriced contract.

It could still happen, but it is just as likely that the waters have cooled a bit and teams have rethought how much and how long they want to offer him.

**Saul Good** · 12-29-2015, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach

I would trust the player/agent than a uninformed reporter who has no well established connections in Kansas City. Especially if it's Alex Gordon.

The problem is, how can one identify how much the market is for Gordon if Upton and Cespedes are still on the market? The longer those two guys who are out there, I have to think it hurts Gordon's value on the market.

Plus, you do remember Michael Bourn? He had to settle for 4/$48M and Bourn was a year younger than Alex when QO-tagged.

I think Alex will find something between 4 years $80 with a 5th year option (you know how much GMDM loves those options), in my opinion.

If Gordon had an offer of 4/80 with a 5th year option, I think he'd have signed it by now. My best guess at this point is that he's back next year with something along the lines of a 4/60 deal and a 5th year club option of $20m and a $5m payout if we decline it.

mr. tegu · 12-29-2015, 04:42 PM

I just heard on 610 that they will be playing the radio broadcast of each postseason game in a row starting soon. I didn't catch exactly what day and time it would start though.

11-02-2015, 05:00 PM
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $-2169692	* Official 2016 Royals Offseason Repository * Well, folks, it has happened. The Royals stand triumphant, atop the heap of MLB. In this thread, we'll track the action as Dayton Moore continues The Process and attempts to defend the long-awaited title. Before we get to the meet of it, let's take a minute to reflect ... and say "I'm Sorry" to Dayton Moore. We gave you hell. Many of us called for your head. But you were right. You got it done. Congratulations. Mea culpa. Now, let's talk about the offseason: LINK TO 2016-18 PAYROLL INFO COURTESY OF ROYALS REVIEW The Royals will have a few priorities: Corner OF (x2) and 1 SP, IMO. The rest of the core is solid and will need little tweaking. Looking at the increase in ticket sales, merchandising, concessions, parking, etc., I think it's fair to assume the Royals GROSSED $100 million more this season, or close to it. That gives Glass and Dayton Moore much more flexibility on payroll for 2016 (hopefully). First order of business will be gauging the Alex Gordon market. If he can be resigned for 4-5 years at around $75-80 million total, it would be hard for KC to pass on that. He's still an above-average corner OF bat, and the Royals will need to bring in at least one proven guy to play in a corner if Gordon walks... and the whole market looks a lot like Alex - guys in their early 30s looking for huge, final contracts. Second order of business: Make a decision on Zobrist. It sounds like KC will pursue him aggressively. At 34, he's at risk of declining in a big way after a few years. If they could find someone to take on Omar Infante for eating 1/2 of his deal, that would be a great start to things. If they decide not to spend on Zobrist, KC will need to cobble together some sort of plan for 2B/RF that involves some cheaper options like Orlando, Colon, Dyson, etc. I could see them deciding his ability to provide great insurance at either 2B or in RF is worth the risk. Third order of business: Add depth to the rotation with a FA SP. Duffy, Ventura, Volquez and Medlen are locks for 4 spots, it seems. Kyle Zimmer may finally be ready to make a MLB impact, but his innings will be limited. That means KC needs insurance. Will it kill two birds with one stone (and insure against Duffy/Ventura regression) by signing a more top-tier guy? Or does Moore look to Chris Young/someone like him for this depth? Personally, I think Mike Leake would be a great fit with KC's defense and park, and I know Moore has long coveted him. He's still young - just 28 - and has succeeded in bandbox Cincinnati for years. Ian Kennedy, Mat Latos, Marco Estrada, and Justin Masterson are some other names that may pique interest (a little further down the list). Other than that, I don't think KC makes any major moves. Greg Holland will be interesting to observe, as they have one more year of control of him, and he will obviously miss all of that season. I wouldn't be surprised to see a pre-arbitration deal that pays him something like $15 million over the next two seasons, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him turned loose, period. The bullpen will rest upon Wade Davis/Herrera/Hochevar, filling in pieces around them. Bringing Madson back wouldn't be a surprise, but he could get a big deal from another team that is willing to pay him as their top setup guy or even their closer. I think the biggest prospects to watch in Spring Training will be: 1) Kyle Zimmer. The hype has built, died down, built again, etc. If he's healthy, he's filthy and a potential ToR arm. But what does he look like in ST, and how many innings can you reasonably expect from him if he does earn a rotation spot? It seems like 120-130 innings would be his limit unless they really stretch (or unless he has a lot of hidden innings from simulated games/extended spring training, which might push him to 150-160). Having another cheap, home-grown pitcher would be a significant boon for this team as it tries to extend the competitive window (and potentially give KC a strong 1-2 to build its rotation around in Zimmer and Ventura) 2) Bubba Starling. I'm trying to remain skeptical, but I like what I hear about Bubba from this season, and the performance has picked up. If KC does not sign someone to fill the RF slot, I think that's a strong indication KC's front office believes Starling will be ready to contribute in 2016. Dayton Moore has long said that when Starling's light flips on, it will happen quickly and burn brightly. Time will tell. After his STRONG Arizona Fall League Performance, he shot up my prospect chart. 3) Miguel Almonte. His late-season stint out of the KC bullpen went poorly, but Almonte has a plus-plus changeup, a good fastball, and a decent curve ball. He may be the dark horse in the rotation competition, and unlike Zimmer, he's set up to pitch a full 180 inning season. 4) RA Mondesi. The only player to debut in the MLB World Series has incredible tools. He still needs to refine his game, but again... he may be KC's best cheap, plus alternative at a key position (2B). His defense would be a boon from Day 1, but he needs seasoning with the bat before he's asked to hold down 2B full time. And, as always, here are the Prospects: 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. 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. 4. 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. 5. 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. 6. 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. 7. 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. 8. 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. 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. Spoiler! 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. 18. Eric Skoglund, LHP: Skoglund had a nice year at Wilmington. I'm skeptical because his K rate is lower than I like to see for a guy at A+ - just 7/9, and usually guys lose a strikeout or two/9 as they move up the chain from there - but he has excellent control, walking 1.17 batters/9. 6-7 lefties with great control who get lots of ground balls - like Skoglund - have a chance to overcome bad K rates. 19. Ryan O'Hearn, 1B/LF: A lefty stick with power, O'Hearn was a savings signing as an 8th round pick, but a change in his approach increased his power - while increasing his K rate. After Vallot, probably the best pure power prospect in the Royals system. 20. Josh Staumont, RHP: I was terrified of this guy's control problems, and he walked nearly a batter an inning in his pro debut (32 BB in 40 1/3 IP). Staumont's nasty, nasty stuff (plus-plus fastball, plus slider) could make him a very good late-inning reliever who strikes out more than a batter an inning, if he can develop average or slightly below-average control. If he really masters the control, you're talking about a potential Greg Holland type, but that's a TALL task. Last edited by duncan_idaho; 11-17-2015 at 09:49 AM..
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12-29-2015, 12:17 AM	#1983
Anyong Bluth Deus ambulans inter homines Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chicago Casino cash: $9439340	Yankees /2015 Royals wannabes __________________ Suck it, *beautiful*
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12-29-2015, 01:01 AM	#1984
Prison Bitch Rabbi Goldmann Join Date: Nov 2012 Casino cash: $5450159	When DM took over, what if he said "within 10 years I'll have won a World Series, gone to another one, and had the Yankees copying my methods" The press room would've erupted in laughter.
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12-29-2015, 11:39 AM	#1989
Coach Champs! Join Date: Mar 2004 Casino cash: $3698476	I figured that's the case. This Heyman individual needs to be neg repped/trolled into submission. __________________ Super Bowl IV, LIV, LVII & LVIII Champions 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, & 2025 AFC Champions 1985 & 2015 Major League Baseball World Series Champions 1980, 1985, 2014, & 2015 Major League Baseball American League Champions 2015 American League Central Division Champs
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12-29-2015, 04:42 PM	#1995
mr. tegu Forever Royal Join Date: Mar 2012 Casino cash: $-1938700	I just heard on 610 that they will be playing the radio broadcast of each postseason game in a row starting soon. I didn't catch exactly what day and time it would start though.
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