Royals *** Official Royals Repository, Part 4 *** - Page 12

duncan_idaho · 10:46 PM

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.

ReynardMuldrake · 07-29-2015, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

2:50 mark finnegan throws jab at royals saying they didn't know what they were doing. Wtf man.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Slbn...ature=youtu.be

Well, we did promote/send him back to Omaha like 20 times. That one time we called him up to pitch one inning against the Yankees I think? Kind of a dick move. I would feel the same way in his position.

okcchief · 07-29-2015, 07:46 PM

Guthrie gets by at home but god damn he's bad on the road. I say give Medlen a few starts I'm the 5 slot. Can't be much worse.

**kysirsoze** · 07-29-2015, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReynardMuldrake

Well, we did promote/send him back to Omaha like 20 times. That one time we called him up to pitch one inning against the Yankees I think? Kind of a dick move. I would feel the same way in his position.

Yeah, I get it. But it doesn't at all mean the Royals didn't know what they were doing. I think it meant they were trying to get what they could out of him before dealing him, which I understand would not make Finnegan happy at all.

Al Bundy · 07-29-2015, 07:51 PM

Source: Rangers nearing deal with Philadelphia for Cole Hamels.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2015

BigCatDaddy · 07-29-2015, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okcchief

Guthrie gets by at home but god damn he's bad on the road. I say give Medlen a few starts I'm the 5 slot. Can't be much worse.

Seems he has the most upside so why not give him a shot and if he returns to form could start in the playoffs.

WilliamTheIrish · 07-29-2015, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReynardMuldrake

Well, we did promote/send him back to Omaha like 20 times. That one time we called him up to pitch one inning against the Yankees I think? Kind of a dick move. I would feel the same way in his position.

Show up to camp in decent shape instead of looking like a he went on a 3 month pizza diet and maybe things turn out different.

tk13 · 07-29-2015, 08:00 PM

This is one complicated trade. I still can't believe the Braves are giving up on Wood. I know they have a billion young arms, but still. Wood has had success and could be really good when he's 26-27.

If completed, Dodgers get Wood, Latos, Johnson, Peraza, Morse. Braves get Olivera, Zach Bird, draft pick. Marlins get 3 low-level pitchers.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2015

Sassy Squatch · 07-29-2015, 08:01 PM

Mets left a dude in the game after he got traded and now he's crying. I has a sad.

DJJasonp · 07-29-2015, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al Bundy

Source: Rangers nearing deal with Philadelphia for Cole Hamels.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2015

good....anyone but the yankees, astros, or blue jays..

tk13 · 07-29-2015, 08:11 PM

The Rangers are only about 4 games out of the wild card. That move would be made for the future mostly, but it's not like they're dead yet.

okcchief · 07-29-2015, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al Bundy

Source: Rangers nearing deal with Philadelphia for Cole Hamels.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2015

That's good.

Sure-Oz · 07-29-2015, 08:14 PM

Wilmer Flores deal is such bs by the Mets. Hard to watch

okcchief · 07-29-2015, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tk13

The Rangers are only about 4 games out of the wild card. That move would be made for the future mostly, but it's not like they're dead yet.

It's not really a team I'd want to play with that addition either, but better than the stros.

duncan_idaho · 07-29-2015, 08:22 PM

I think this is the Rangers thinking it might be enough for them to make the postseason this year, but it's really about setting up for the next few years.

Hamels + Yu Darvish is a nice combo at the front of their rotation.

tk13 · 07-29-2015, 08:22 PM

Yeah an Astros/Rangers wild card game would be great. Not just for the divisional rivalry but Keuchel/Hamels.

Of course, the Royals having to play the winner wouldn't be as fun.

07-14-2015, 11:05 PM
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1490308	* Official Royals Repository, Part 4 * 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. Last edited by duncan_idaho; 10-06-2015 at 10:46 PM..
Posts: 21,146

07-29-2015, 07:46 PM	#167
okcchief MVP Join Date: Jul 2008 Casino cash: $9849890	Guthrie gets by at home but god damn he's bad on the road. I say give Medlen a few starts I'm the 5 slot. Can't be much worse.
Posts: 6,703

07-29-2015, 07:51 PM	#169
Al Bundy Damnit Peg Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $5301831	Source: Rangers nearing deal with Philadelphia for Cole Hamels. — Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2015
Posts: 23,324

07-29-2015, 08:00 PM	#172
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1742500	This is one complicated trade. I still can't believe the Braves are giving up on Wood. I know they have a billion young arms, but still. Wood has had success and could be really good when he's 26-27. If completed, Dodgers get Wood, Latos, Johnson, Peraza, Morse. Braves get Olivera, Zach Bird, draft pick. Marlins get 3 low-level pitchers. — Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2015
Posts: 54,990

07-29-2015, 08:01 PM	#173
Sassy Squatch The man you could post like. Join Date: Oct 2010 Casino cash: $2199655	Mets left a dude in the game after he got traded and now he's crying. I has a sad.
Posts: 38,058

07-29-2015, 08:11 PM	#175
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1742500	The Rangers are only about 4 games out of the wild card. That move would be made for the future mostly, but it's not like they're dead yet.
Posts: 54,990

07-29-2015, 08:22 PM	#179
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1490308	I think this is the Rangers thinking it might be enough for them to make the postseason this year, but it's really about setting up for the next few years. Hamels + Yu Darvish is a nice combo at the front of their rotation. __________________ "You gotta love livin', cause dying is a pain in the ass." ---- Sinatra
Posts: 21,146

07-29-2015, 08:22 PM	#180
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1742500	Yeah an Astros/Rangers wild card game would be great. Not just for the divisional rivalry but Keuchel/Hamels. Of course, the Royals having to play the winner wouldn't be as fun.
Posts: 54,990