***Official 2022 Royals Season Repository Thread***

[ChiefsCountry]

For all things Royals in 2022. #3 minor league system according to Baseball America. The Bobby Witt era should begin this year. Will Salvy still be the homerun king? How does the glut of infield players work out? Will the young pitchers take the next step?

Free Agents/Trades Acquisitions
Zack Greinke, P
Amir Garrett, P
Taylor Clarke, P

Top 10 Prospects from Baseball America
1. Bobby Witt, SS
2. Asa Lacy, P
3. MJ Melendez, C
4. Nick Pratto, 1B
5. Jackson Kowar, P
6. Kyle Isabel, OF
7. Frank Mozzicato, P
8. Ben Kudrna, P
9. Jonathan Bowlan, P
10. Vinnie Pasquantino, 1B

Duncan's Top Royals Prospects

Spoiler!

1. Bobby Witt, Jr., SS. MLB.
This status lasts about another 4 weeks, but let’s take a moment to appreciate having the top guy in the minor league prospects lists for at least a little while longer. Witt has prodigious ability and the question is really just IF he can meet it. They have not had a prospect like this in my lifetime, and really probably ever. Combine insane raw physical skills (right there with Adalberto Mondesi and Willie Wilson in the ranks right behind Bo Jackson) with unbelievable work ethic, a humble-but-confident nature, and already having shown he can struggle and overcome to achieve big success, and you have the tools for a show-stopping centerpiece. Oh, and throw in the former-player’s kid aspect on it on top of things, and there is every reason to believe he’s going to succeed and succeed big.
2. M.J. Melendez, C, AAA Omaha.
I was early on putting him in this slot last year, and I don’t regret it. The power, the ability to be a good defender behind the dish as well as having the athletic ability to play 3B or LF, too, and you have a really valuable overall piece and FANTASTIC understudy for Salvador Perez.
3. Asa Lacy, LHP. AA Northwest Arkansas
Whoa, let’s get crazy again. Lacy has outstanding stuff. Top of the system. He got hurt and lost his command during COVID times, but appears to be back on track so far this spring. If his command sticks, this is a guy who can move quickly. And his ceiling is really second to nobody in the minor league pitching ranks.
4. Vinnie Pasquantino, 1B. AA Northwest Arkansas
Vinnie starts the season back at AA due to the guy who follows him on the list here. He just hits, folks. I love his combination of contact, loud contact, plate discipline, and lack of strikeouts. The Billy Butler comparisons are annoying (in that I will NEVER refer to this man as Italian Breakfast except in the instance that just occurred), but the Billy Butler comparisons are also fairly apt… if you made Butler a lefthanded hitter, AND improved his body/athleticism from a 20 to a 40, AND if you added that little extra touch of power we all wished Butler could consistently find.
5. Nick Pratto, 1B, AAA Omaha.
Hey, let’s stay at 1B. Pratto has flashy power and I love his batting eye AND his hand-eye coordination. The hair he’s been rocking this spring is also pretty sweet. I slot him just behind Pasquantino simply because I think his bat profile is more volatile. The glove and arm are sweet/plus for 1B, though.
6. Jonathan Bowlan, RHP, AAA Omaha
Bowlan is coming back from Tommy John surgery, and this ranking is assuming that recovering is successful. If it his, you’re talking about a big, consistent SP who throws hard enough and has enough of a repertoire to really make things happen. If the recovery goes well, he may be shuttling to the majors in July to reinforce the rotation.
7. Nick Loftin, CF, AA Omaha.
Loftin is a guy who has really grown on me. I saw him as a quasi super-utility guy when the Royals drafted him, The full-time shift to CF (which means they think he has the speed and the overall defensive ability to handle CF in Kansas City) adds a lot of value here. The ultimate positive offensive upside is similar to peak Whit Merrifield, maybe with a touch more early power.
8. Michael Massey, 2B, AA Northwest Arkansas.
Massey was an absolute revelation last year, hitting for power and average and keeping his K rate down while playing a really strong 2B. He has a very sweet, short lefthanded stroke. This is another aggressive rating, but Massey has proven himself through a tough minor league assignment already, and the arrow is pointed up.
9. Ben Kudrna, RHP, Rookie Ball
Kudrna is a big, physical specimen with a lot of upside and potential. The fastball and slider are already nearly MLB-level in terms of velocity and movement (command needs work). Kudrna is a guy who, with luck, and health, and good development, could ascend to the top of a rotation.
10. Frank Mozzicato, LHP, Rookie Ball.
Mozzicato has a curveball that suggests he has a feel for spin. If you want to dream, you hope that the next 2-3 years turn the 175 he weighed when drafted into a rock-solid 220/225 and carries with it an increase in fastball velocity from 90-91, sitting 87-88, to 96-97, sitting 93-94. You pair his ability to spin the ball (which also suggests he should be able to easily master a sweeper slider) with that type of fastball velo and a changeup he already has a feel for, and it’s an exciting profile.

He has a little more to go in terms of growing into that projectability than Kudrna, which is why he slots right behind him.
11. Alec Marsh, RHP, AA Northwest Arkansas
Marsh missed a lot of 2021 to injury, but the hard-throwing righthander is another guy who could move quickly once the minor league season starts. He’s undeniably got the stuff of a quality major-league pitcher. The question is if he can master enough command to cash it in. This guy is a great example of TINSTAAPP.
12. Angel Zerpa, LHP, AAA Omaha
Zerpa might quickly outperform this slot. His stuff ticked up in 21 and he ended the season making a start in the majors. He’s nice depth to have, and honestly, I’m a big fan of just throwing numbers at pitching. Zerpa definitely helps create the depth you need to generate a top-notch and reliable home-grown rotation.
13. Maikel Garcia, SS, AA Northwest Arkansas
Garcia is a really intriguing hitter, a righthanded hitter who has a nice combination of contact skills and control of the strike zone (this cousin of Alcides Escobar is less savvy with the glove and more savvy at the plate). The Royals protected him for a reason (he’s on the 40-man).
14. Carter Jensen, C, A ??
Jensen is a local product whose bat will probably push him off C (as well as the Royals depth at that spot throughout the organization). This is a future 1B profile, and a nice one. He makes a lot of loud contact and shows an ability to lift the ball. Should be fun to watch this year.
15. Ben Hernandez, RHP, A+ Quad Rivers
Hernandez missed a good part of 2021 but still has that butterfly changeup and a classic pitcher’s profile. He’ll need to find a reliable swing-and-miss secondary to make it in the bigs, but if not, the fastball velocity and changeup should make him a quality high-leverage reliver.
16. Dylan Coleman, RHP, AAA Omaha
Speaking of relievers, Coleman is a hard-throwing righthander who probably spends most of 22 in the Royals’ pen. ½ of the compensation for the Rosenthal trade a few years back, Coleman has a big fastball and nasty breaking ball.
17. Will Klein, RHP, AA Northwest Arkansas
Speaking of relivers, everything I just said about Coleman? Yeah, you can say it about Klein, too. Klein regularly toyed with hitters at high A last year, striking out 121 hitters in just 70 1/3 innings pitched. For those counting at home, that’s a 15.5 K/9 rate. Yep. That’ll play.
18. Anthony Veneziano, LHP, AA Northwest Arkansas
Here’s another big, power arm. Veneziano hasn’t been relegated to bullpen only yet, though. His fastball bumped into the high 90s last year on a starter’s workload. He’s still looking for a changeup, but if he doesn’t find it, you’re looking at a really promising future bullpen fireballer.
19. Erick Pena, OF, A ?
Pena did… not have a strong 2021 full season debut. His struggles look a lot like those of Pratto and Melendez in 2019. Pena has the same type of raw toolkit to work from as those two, with great hands and natural power. He needs to fix a hitch in his swing and calm it down, but so did Melendez. Of this second ten grouping, Pena has the highest upside and could jump right into the top 5 of the org ranks.
20. Darryl Collins, OF, A+
Collins is an international signing out of Europe. I like the hitting package here – good eye and contact skills. He needs to make more loud contact, but if he can, really a nice guy.

Overall takeaways:
This is a system with a lot of depth. We could go another 10-12 deep and still be talking about guys with a good shot to make the majors. The changes to the organization’s approach are bearing fruit, as even less-heralded draftees are stepping forward.

The combination of upside (Witt, Melendez, Lacy), depth, and guys you can dream on is fun. It may not produce quite as much as the 2011 group did, but it does offer a more sustainable system, less reliant on a few big-ticket guys.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by myselff77

Is next year a continued rebuilding year? If so, I don't mind this strategy as long as there is a manager in place who will emphasize defense and be able to coach him up. Melendez certainly will improve in the outfield as well with more time. If there is not a major overhaul of the bullpen, further progression by a few starters, and Brady Singer having a dominate full season rather than just the 2nd half, rebuilding and development is certainly appropriate.

Now, if we think the team next year could actually be competitive and strive for the playoffs, then I'm not so sure. Lopez seems like the better shortstop currently over BWJ. I have nothing to back this up on other than my untrained eye and the fact when he had a full season there, there was discussion he was Gold Glove worthy and perhaps one of the better defensive players in baseball. So, why would the Royals not play the best shortstop on the team at that position if we want to win now?

Well, are you talking about what the team's leadership thinks? Or what I think?

Because those are different things.

Team leadership is going to look at next season as a year they expect to compete for a playoff spot, They looked at this year that way, too.

I'm probably king sunshine pumper around here for the Royals, and I don't believe they're ready to compete for a playoff spot unless they make huge commitments in free agency to fix holes.

Now, if you tell me they commit to Carlos Rodon to fix the starting pitching and add Dansby Swanson to upgrade the IF even more and add some more bullpen help in free agency, OK. Maybe I'll believe that's a team ready to contend.

But if they just stick with this crew and maybe make a couple of small additions? No. No that is not a contending team. That is a team still in a rebuild.

They're going to retain Mamoron and Eldred and continue to wonder why they can't get the young pitching angle right. And still lose 80+ games.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by TomBarndtsTwin

At this point, Lopez is either your SS (If Witt is at 3B) or a utility guy. Massey is and should be your full time guy at 2B going forward. On days Witt is at SS, Lopez should be out of the lineup. But he can play there when Witt is at 3B since we don't really have anyone else competent to stick there.

Next year (I have a weird feeling Mondesi will be back next year) they will likely start Massey at 2B, Mondesi at SS (I know, I know) and Witt at 3B. That makes Lopez the odd man out. But with Mondesi's injury history, only a matter of time before he is on the DL and then either you move Witt back to SS (which is probably his best position long-term, despite the struggles this year) or you leave Witt at 3B and put Lopez back in as your SS. If the rest of your lineup (well, 1-6 at least) is hitting, you can live with Lopez's bat at the bottom of your order. I realize that's an 'IF' at this point.

That's kind of what I was saying.

Screw Mondesi. Stick Witt at short and let him be. Mondesi can play 3B or OF until his body fails again.

[dlphg9]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

This. Is. What. He. Does.

It’s reason 73 Mamoron is a bad fit for the Royals.

Isn't it just awesome. Love a manager that'll run a pitcher into the ground for the sake of winning 74 games instead of 68.

[myselff77]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Well, are you talking about what the team's leadership thinks? Or what I think?

Because those are different things.

Team leadership is going to look at next season as a year they expect to compete for a playoff spot, They looked at this year that way, too.

I'm probably king sunshine pumper around here for the Royals, and I don't believe they're ready to compete for a playoff spot unless they make huge commitments in free agency to fix holes.

Now, if you tell me they commit to Carlos Rodon to fix the starting pitching and add Dansby Swanson to upgrade the IF even more and add some more bullpen help in free agency, OK. Maybe I'll believe that's a team ready to contend.

But if they just stick with this crew and maybe make a couple of small additions? No. No that is not a contending team. That is a team still in a rebuild.

They're going to retain Mamoron and Eldred and continue to wonder why they can't get the young pitching angle right. And still lose 80+ games.

I'm good with your plan on a development year as there is no way the Royals will commit to that many resources on the free agent market. I hope Sherman backs you and forces the appropriate changes to align with your vision.

[ChiefsCountry]

I expect to do something in free agency. They cleared a shit ton off the books and the entire roster is mainly rookies on cheap deals.

[dlphg9]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

I expect to do something in free agency. They cleared a shit ton off the books and the entire roster is mainly rookies on cheap deals.

The only thing I want the Royals to even consider in FA or a trade is pitching. If Dayton gets another junk veteran to take ABs from a young player, then I'm going to freak out.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

I expect to do something in free agency. They cleared a shit ton off the books and the entire roster is mainly rookies on cheap deals.

I hope you're right about everything man.

You expect them to clean house in leadership positions and also to spend in free agency.

I'll believe that when I see it.

[ChiefsCountry]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

I hope you're right about everything man.

You expect them to clean house in leadership positions and also to spend in free agency.

I'll believe that when I see it.

I'm not expecting big names in free agency but I think they will be active in the pitching market.

And they need that new stadium momentum.

[Vladimir_Kyrilytch]

Originally Posted by dlphg9

The only thing I want the Royals to even consider in FA or a trade is pitching. If Dayton gets another junk veteran to take ABs from a young player, then I'm going to freak out.

Charlie Blackmon is a free agent this offseason, as are Justin Turner and Eric Hosmer. David Price too, on the pitching side. Which one will it be?

[TomBarndtsTwin]

Well, it won’t be Eric Hosmer, as much as Dayton might like that. We have 3 guys that can play 1B right now; one (Pratto) really well, one (Vin) competently, and one (Dozier) that can be used in a pinch but you don’t really want to have to rely on there. Sal has also played a few games at 1B.

The only guy I would really be interested in that group would be Turner, since we don’t have an obvious solution for 3B. That said, Turner sometimes has an issue with being able to stay healthy. We already have one potential (likely) brokedick 3B in Mondesi, assuming he’s back for one more year. Don’t want to sign another one (unless he comes cheap).

[myselff77]

Originally Posted by Vladimir_Kyrilytch

Charlie Blackmon is a free agent this offseason, as are Justin Turner and Eric Hosmer. David Price too, on the pitching side. Which one will it be?

Eric Hosmer is signed through 2025. He's not a free agent anytime soon, but could probably be had cheap.

[KChiefs1]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[WhawhaWhat]

Originally Posted by myselff77

Eric Hosmer is signed through 2025. He's not a free agent anytime soon, but could probably be had cheap.

He can opt out of the contract but I can't imagine he would.

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

But...I heard he was OVERRATED!!

[tk13]

Keep an eye on this. Not that Bobby Witt would do it but if he did I'm guessing this will set his market.

BREAKING: Star rookie Julio Rodriguez and the Seattle Mariners are finalizing a massive long-term contract extension, sources tell ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 26, 2022