Royals *** Official Royals Repository, Part 4 *** - Page 163

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.

Don Corlemahomes · 08-31-2015, 08:25 PM

I just thought the home field advantage thing was a big deal. Maybe I'm just getting bored because we're running away with the division

and posting a lot about the Bjays

kstater · 08-31-2015, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Sept. 1, you mean.

Yes

duncan_idaho · 08-31-2015, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by penbrook

So we lead our leave our DH off the roster especially when he is in the top 5 in RBIs in the AL. That makes perfect sense. Damn you're reeruned

Just a list mistake/miscount. With Zobrist, they can probably afford to consider him the only UTIL IF.

Don Corlemahomes · 08-31-2015, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by penbrook

So we lead our leave our DH off the roster especially when he is in the top 5 in RBIs in the AL. That makes perfect sense. Damn you're reeruned

Yeah, you can **** right off. Duncan could be in the advanced stages of dementia and still have more functioning neurons than you.

**Saul Good** · 08-31-2015, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Just a list mistake/miscount. With Zobrist, they can probably afford to consider him the only UTIL IF.

Yeah. I don't see any way Cuthbert nor Colon make the postseason roster. Outside chance we trade Cueto to get Finnegan back, though.

suzzer99 · 08-31-2015, 08:29 PM

Having no baseball drama to argue about for a month, Royals fans began to turn on each other...

duncan_idaho · 08-31-2015, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kstater

Am I misunderstanding the roster rules? Don't you have to have played at least a game prior to Sept 1 to be eligible?

Have to be on the 40-man roster as of Sept. 1.

So Gore, and now Gomes, and anyone else on the 40-man roster as of today, is eligible for the postseason 25-man.

They can create some space on the current 40-man by moving some TJ guys (Tim Collins, Jason Vargas) to the 60-man DL. Cutting Dusty Coleman would also open a spot, as would cutting Rios.

They had an open spot until obtaining Gomes.

kstater · 08-31-2015, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Have to be on the 40-man roster as of Sept. 1.

So Gore, and now Gomes, and anyone else on the 40-man roster as of today, is eligible for the postseason 25-man.

They can create some space on the current 40-man by moving some TJ guys (Tim Collins, Jason Vargas) to the 60-man DL. Cutting Dusty Coleman would also open a spot, as would cutting Rios.

They had an open spot until obtaining Gomes.

Gotcha, wiki said 25 man prior to Sept 1.

SPchief · 08-31-2015, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kstater

Am I misunderstanding the roster rules? Don't you have to have played at least a game prior to Sept 1 to be eligible?

Don't have to play or be on 25 man. Just have to be on 40 man

kstater · 08-31-2015, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPchief

Don't have to play or be on 25 man. Just have to be on 40 man

That was my assumption all year, and why Gore has eaten a spot on the 40 man, but tonight was the first time I'd looked in to it and was led astray by wiki.

tk13 · 08-31-2015, 08:35 PM

Yeah, I was under the impression they changed the rule a year or two ago.

Gore was actually called up back in April, but I don't think he actually got into a game.

duncan_idaho · 08-31-2015, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tk13

Yeah, I was under the impression they changed the rule a year or two ago.

Gore was actually called up back in April, but I don't think he actually got into a game.

The rule used to be really complicated. They simplified it a season or two ago.

-King- · 08-31-2015, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saul Good

It seems like every time I check the scores half the freaking teams are on at least a 1 game winning streak.

DJJasonp · 08-31-2015, 08:44 PM

I think our "Toronto magic number" is now 7. They have 31 games left....and they would have to now go 25-6 to end up 99-63.

The royals have 32 games left. 19-13 (reasonable/conservative prediction) gets us to 99-63.

So as mentioned, I think 7 or more losses by the jays, and we got home field.

-King- · 08-31-2015, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by penbrook

So we lead our leave our DH off the roster especially when he is in the top 5 in RBIs in the AL. That makes perfect sense. Damn you're reeruned

Seriously dude...stick to posting tweets.

07-14-2015, 11:05 PM
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1260308	* 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: 21,184

08-31-2015, 08:25 PM	#2431
Don Corlemahomes Veteran Join Date: May 2014 Casino cash: $10025348	I just thought the home field advantage thing was a big deal. Maybe I'm just getting bored because we're running away with the division and posting a lot about the Bjays __________________ Damn, Chiefs
Posts: 4,554

08-31-2015, 08:29 PM	#2436
suzzer99 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: L.A. Casino cash: $2464284	Having no baseball drama to argue about for a month, Royals fans began to turn on each other...
Posts: 27,340

08-31-2015, 08:35 PM	#2441
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1502500	Yeah, I was under the impression they changed the rule a year or two ago. Gore was actually called up back in April, but I don't think he actually got into a game.
Posts: 55,056

08-31-2015, 08:44 PM	#2444
DJJasonp My work speaks for itself!!! Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: So Cal Casino cash: $1485200	I think our "Toronto magic number" is now 7. They have 31 games left....and they would have to now go 25-6 to end up 99-63. The royals have 32 games left. 19-13 (reasonable/conservative prediction) gets us to 99-63. So as mentioned, I think 7 or more losses by the jays, and we got home field. __________________ Its easier to fool a man, than to convince a man he's been fooled.
Posts: 12,167