Josh Staumont, RHP, AAA. You know the deal. He's got great stuff, just doesn't always know where it is going. If Staumont can ever consistently find even slightly-below average command, he's got ace potential in the majors. If not, he's a Carlos Marmol-like RP.

Miguel Almonte, RHP, AA. Almonte has been up and down and has made KC look foolish for valuing him higher than Sean Manaea a few years back, but he does have plus stuff and seems to have ironed out his mechanics, with great results, at Northwest Arkansas. I could see him being an Edinson Volquez type in the majors - solid No. 3-type starter when things are going right.

Foster Griffin, LHP, A+. Griffin was a supplemental first rounder in 2014 who looks like he might be having the same type of breakout this year that Cody Reed did in 2015. After two years of disappointing results, the projectable lefty finally is starting to show the velocity and consistency he was projected to develop at draft time. He's doing a good job limiting baserunners and K'ing better than a batter per inning. If he continues to impress, a promotion to AA is in the cards. Potential No. 3 starter.

AJ Pucket, RHP, A+. Puckett was drafted with the idea he was a high floor, fast mover, and he is on track for that so far. He's a back-end starter in the majors, but those have value. Primary concern right now is his BB rate - currently walking around 4.5 batters/9. Clean that up, and he's ready for the next challenge.

Garson Garabito, RHP, A. Garabito may be a new name for most; he's another dimunitive Dominican RHP with stuff that isn't where Almonte or Ventura's has been, but he does show good control and a promising strikeout rate. Someone to watch moving forward.

Richard Lovelady, LHP, A+. Lovelady has plus stuff and profiles nicely as a late-inning guy, with the dual ability to miss bats and get groundballs.

Probably the most intriguing/promising position to review in the Royals' minor leagues.

Ryan O'Hearn (LH), AAA. O'Hearn is a big lefty with power and a strikeout rate to match. He's probably more of a solid regular/bench player than a future starter or above-average starter, but he has traditionally shown power to all fields as well as a good understanding of the strike zone, with a walk rate around 10 percent.

Samir Duenez (LH), AA. Duenez seemed to find something during the 2016 season and has carried it over to a hot start in 2017. He is an athletic 1B (like Hosmer, not a good fit at other positions despite that athleticism) putting up really encouraging numbers at AA for someone who is just 20. Nice combination of contact and power, though Ks will be something to watch as he moves forward.

Chris Devito (LH), A. DeVito was a mid-round pick out of New Mexico a year ago and is knocking on the door for a promotion with a great start (.328/.357/.664) to his campaign at Lexington. Again, there are a lot of strikeouts with this package, but the college product is ready for the next challenge.

2B Corey Toups (RH), AAA. Toups was in the same draft class as his college teammate O'Hearn and flew under the radar, but he profiles as a contact-oriented 2B with solid pop. Could be a solid starter at the major league level, though not a star.

SS Nicky Lopez (RH), A+. Lopez, a mid-round 2016 draft pick, looks like he might be the steal of KC's draft. He's a plus defender who will stick at SS, and has really impressed at the plate, where he controls the strike zone, doesn't strike out, and has hit for surprising pop. With his strike zone discipline, OBP ability, and speed, Lopez could be a quality place-setter who plays plus defense at a critical spot. Really intriguing piece.

Hunter Dozier and Cheslor Cuthbert are about it. Not much organizational depth here, which is why career minor leaguers are manning the hot corner at AAA (Cechini) and AA (Ramos).

LF Peter O'Brien (RH), AAA. O'Brien still qualifies as a prospect and technically is playing the OF. After his impressive show in Spring training, he has struggled at AAA to start the year. He could be a nice short-side platoon piece/bench guy.

CF Donnie Dewees (LH), AA. Dewees was obtained from Chicago for Alec Mills and is KC's top CF prospect at the high majors, due to the complete failure of Bubba Starling (never trust a guy named Derek!). He's off to a so-so start, but offers really good speed and solid plate discipline. Could be a solid MLB regular due to those factors, paired with the ability to cover a lot of ground in the OF. If he ever taps into the power he showed in college, he could be more. Think David DeJesus, with better speed.

RF Elier Hernandez (RH), A+. Hey, remember this guy? Hernandez was a big bonus guy as a 16-year old in 2011. Six years later, he finally looks like he might be living up to the potential the Royals saw when they paid him $2 million to sign. Still just 22, he's putting up a .303/.333/.513 slash. Strikeouts are a concern (see a theme?) but the raw hitting tools are finally translating.

CF Khalil Lee (LH), A. Lee is the Royals' top prospect at this point. He offers a power/patience/speed profile, and though he probably won't stick in CF, has more than enough speed and arm to be a plus defender in a corner. Potential future all-star.

Chase Vallot (RH), A+. Vallot's star is dimming, as he continues to struggle to hit for average despite good power and patience statistics.

Meibrys Viloria (LH), A. Viloria's 2017 hasn't gotten off to a tremendous start, but he has been solid with the bat and still is the best C prospect in KC's system, with a good blend of plate discipline and power potential.