*** Official Royals Repository, Part 4 ***

[duncan_idaho]

In this thread: All things related to the AL Champions.

Duncan's Official Team Record prediction: 90 wins
One month in: Looking strong
All Star Break: Looking strong, probably should adjust up to 93-94 wins.
Duncan's Official Team MVP prediction: Eric Hosmer
One month in: Upstaged by his best friend MIKE MOOTACOS, MAN. Tell us bout your hittin, bro!
All Star Break: Lorenzo Cain starting to run away with this one.

Division Preview
Clearly, overlooking the Twins was a mistake at this point. I still don't believe in that team long-term, but they're starting to get that Magic Season twinkle about them.

Detroit is toast. Garbage rotation beyond Price and Sanchez, Miggy out.

And Cleveland... Cleveland still is dangerous if it ever clicks offensively, because the starting pitching is good enough for them to real off a 15-5 stretch and get right back into the playoff picture.

The Royals will be a division winner IF ...
1) Ventura and Duffy combine for 375+ innings of high-quality work
2) Eric Hosmer delivers on his potential with a FULL season of success rather than bursts
3) The deeper bullpen lessens the critical load on Herrera, Davis and Holland
4) Lorenzo Cain stays healthy
5) Either Alex Rios or Kendrys Morales bounces back to 2013 form

The first of these is clearly not going to happen. The second looked good through the end of May but is now eating Cain's dust (Hosmer has still been improved this year, though, lessening his valley. If he has a really hot second half, he can get right back in it). Item three is definitely the case. Item four should probably be first at this point. And Morales has more than bounced back.

Duncan’s Top 20 for mid-season 2015:

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

Spoiler!

8. 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.
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.
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.

[big nasty kcnut]

I don't know what to do with my hands since the royals not playing.

[KChiefs1]

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

Playoff schedule:



http://mweb.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on...-into-november

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb...e31332293.html

Royals fans, is it too early to start making postseason plans?

While the team holds a 12-game lead in the AL Central Division and a 6 1/2-game cushion for the best record in the American League entering Monday, they’re not guaranteed a spot in the playoffs yet. But MLB’s postseason dates are set.

We don’t want to jinx the Royals, but we do want to help you plan. So you should know that as things stand today, the Royals would have home-field advantage for each round of the postseason. (Remember, the Ned Yost-managed AL team won the All-Star Game, so the AL pennant winner will have home-field advantage in the World Series).

Here’s the 2015 MLB postseason schedule:


Wild Card Games

The two teams with the best record in each league that don’t win their division face each other in a one-game playoff for a spot in the best-of-five Division Series.

▪ Tuesday, Oct. 6: AL Wild Card Game (ESPN). Right now, this would be Baltimore at Toronto

▪ Wednesday, Oct. 7: NL Wild Card Game (TBS). Entering Monday: Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh


AL Division Series (best-of-five)

As it stands, the Royals would have home-field advantage against the AL Wild Card winner in one series and the Yankees would have home field against Houston in the other. Both series will be played on the same days. TV times and networks are TBA (Fox, Fox Sports 1 and MLB Network could air games).

▪ Thursday, Oct. 8: Game one at better seed

▪ Friday, Oct. 9: Game two at better seed


▪ Sunday, Oct. 11: Game three at worse seed

▪ Monday, Oct. 12: Game four at worse seed*

▪ Wednesday, Oct. 14: Game five at better seed*

*if needed

AL Championship Series (best-of-seven)

Again, the Royals are likely to be the better seed if they reach the ALCS, and would be at home for games one and two, and six and seven, if needed. TV times are TBA, but these games will be on Fox or Fox Sports 1.

▪ Friday, Oct. 16: Game one at better seed

▪ Saturday, Oct. 17: Game two at better seed

▪ Monday, Oct. 19: Game three at worse seed

▪ Tuesday, Oct. 20: Game four at worse seed

▪ Wednesday, Oct. 21: Game five at worse seed*

▪ Friday, Oct. 23: Game six at better seed*

▪ Saturday, Oct. 24: Game seven at better seed*

*if needed

NL Division Series (best-of-five)

As it stands, the Cardinals would have home-field advantage through the NL Championship Series. They would face the NL Wild Card winner in one NL Division Series and the LA Dodgers would have home field against the New York Mets in the other. Again, both series will be played on the same days. Times are TBA but all of these games will be on TBS.

▪ Friday, Oct. 9: Game one at better seed

▪ Saturday, Oct. 10: Game two at better seed

▪ Monday, Oct. 12: Game three at worse seed

▪ Tuesday, Oct. 13: Game four at worse seed*

▪ Thursday, Oct. 15: Game five at better seed*

*if needed

NL Championship Series (best-of-seven)

Again, the Cardinals are likely to be the top seed if they reach the playoffs, and would be at home for games one and two of the NLCS, and six and seven, if needed. Times are TBA, but these games will be on TBS.

▪ Saturday, Oct. 17: Game one at better seed

▪ Sunday, Oct. 18: Game two at better seed

▪ Tuesday, Oct. 20: Game three at worse seed

▪ Wednesday, Oct. 21: Game four at worse seed

▪ Thursday, Oct. 22: Game five at worse seed*

▪ Saturday, Oct. 24: Game six at better seed*

▪ Sunday, Oct. 25: Game seven at better seed*

*if needed

World Series (best-of-seven)

Times are TBA, but all games will air on Fox

▪ Tuesday, Oct. 27: NL champion at AL champion

▪ Wednesday, Oct. 28: NL champion at AL champion

▪ Friday, Oct. 30: AL champion at NL champion

▪ Saturday, Oct. 31: AL champion at NL champion

▪ Sunday, Nov. 1: AL champion at NL champion*

▪ Tuesday, Nov. 3: NL champion at AL champion*

▪ Wednesday, Nov. 4: NL champion at AL champion*

*if needed

[baitism]

Originally Posted by blake5676

Just got my postseason ticket purchase bill for the playoffs. Jesus Christ!!

About double the price of last year it seems.

I have two "club" or Loge level seats. The bill is $3895.

Averaging that out, with 11 possible home games assuming we have the top seed, that's a cool $177/ticket. This one is gonna hurt.

You could sell half of them and still make a boat load of money.

[cosmo20002]

Originally Posted by big nasty kcnut

I don't know what to do with my hands since the royals not playing!

What do you do with them when they are playing?

[Anyong Bluth]

Originally Posted by Zeke

All mine from roughly '85-'93 are sitting in boxes in my attic.... Always wanted to pass them on to my son, but he just never got into them.

Not sure what i'll do with them. Maybe sit on them for a grandchild or something.

If you have any of value, but a collectors catalog out with one that has decent value and a note that says, 'There be gold in them cards!'

But seriously , how can anyone get into cards these days - where do they even sell them anymore?

I've got a rather tiny collection with a few that have some value, but they're sealed and still stored away at my parents.

[Anyong Bluth]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

How are the Blue Jays doing lately?

Still Canadian.

[Anyong Bluth]

Originally Posted by alnorth

The ratings are probably gonna fall off a bit after we lose a couple players, but if the Royals and Glass can just keep this team competitive enough to keep people interested through 2020, then the new TV contract should be very nice.

These ratings are so high that the Royals could threaten to try creating their own network again as leverage.

All the more reason to spend absurdly to keep a contender for the first 4+ years because any additional leverage in terms of playoffs, national appearances and ratings will pay 10 fold if this year's numbers sustain as the current contract us close to expiring.

Also, before anyone brings it up, no, I don't think it's an aberration with respect to the attendance and ratings. The last time the Royals were competitive year to year the city supported them every season. KC has a great contingent of loyal sports fans. The ratings for the Chiefs games are still outstanding and they haven't won a playoff game almost as long as it took the Royals until last year.

If Glass sunk some serious cash in to the payroll I have zero doubt he'd get a healthy ROI.

I don't mean just throwing cash around like the idiot Dodgers. Just think if Dayton had the ability to do his thing and moves like Cueto and Zoebrist were actually possible year to year on a selective basis!!!

[Anyong Bluth]

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb...e31332293.html

Too bad we ****ed up home field advantage for the WS because we stuffed the ballot box for the ASG voting.

Oh wait- the AL won and actually other than Trout a majority of the key plays otherwise were by a Royals player.

[big nasty kcnut]

Thank you Kc royals said no one in the A.L. ever!

[Hootie]

I think Glass would be making a wise investment to increase payroll to $140-$150M ... Keep this team winning and they'll have all the leverage when their TV deal arrives

[Don Corlemahomes]

Originally Posted by big nasty kcnut

Thank you Kc royals said no one in the A.L. ever!

Given our recent history, 'ever' isn't quite accurate

[CaliforniaChief]

I know it's unlikely, but what kind of coin will Cueto get this offseason?

Honestly, I have a growing desire to see us make a run at him. 5 years, $100 million? I'd rather do that than Alex, to be honest.

[KChiefs1]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

I know it's unlikely, but what kind of coin will Cueto get this offseason?

Honestly, I have a growing desire to see us make a run at him. 5 years, $100 million? I'd rather do that than Alex, to be honest.

Probably more like 6 yrs for 180 million.

[Hootie]

I was thinking 7/160 but odds are he's going to get 6/170 ... If not more. He could honestly get 8/200 from some dipshit organization like the Dodgers and I wouldn't be surprised

[Hootie]

And I'd like to see the Royals offer him something like 5/130 to see if he'd bite, but A) it's probably a pipe dream and B) he'd probably be dumb to leave 40+ on the table