Royals *** Official Royals Repository, Part 4 *** - Page 264

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.

cosmo20002 · 10-04-2015, 11:42 PM

I have no idea what they did last year, but whatever reasoning they use to slot the Thurs night game...wouldn't the same reasoning have it make sense to have the same teams play Fri night?

Also, you have the slight disadvantage of a day game after a night game if they switch the Thurs/Fri day teams.

BWillie · 10-05-2015, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

This is scary.

@goldbergkc: Lorenzo Cain will deal with pain in knee all playoffs. Sitting today gives him 4 days to rest if before game 1 Thursday

Have you ever seen Cain walk? He's hurt every single day of his life.

Great Expectations · 10-05-2015, 09:54 AM

If the Cubs win that will get the primetime spot vs St Louis.

WhawhaWhat · 10-05-2015, 11:08 AM

#Yankees release statement from CC Sabathia saying that he is checking himself into alcohol rehabilitation center.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 5, 2015

#Yankees’ Sabathia says in statement that he looks forward to rejoining team next season.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 5, 2015

**Bowser** · 10-05-2015, 11:09 AM

Whoa, that's kind of big news....

siberian khatru · 10-05-2015, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhawhaWhat

#Yankees release statement from CC Sabathia saying that he is checking himself into alcohol rehabilitation center.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 5, 2015

#Yankees’ Sabathia says in statement that he looks forward to rejoining team next season.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 5, 2015

Nice timing.

suzzer99 · 10-05-2015, 11:11 AM

Was he going to be on the playoff roster?

WhawhaWhat · 10-05-2015, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suzzer99

Was he going to be on the playoff roster?

I assume so. He must have f'd up really badly in order to choose to do this now.

duncan_idaho · 10-05-2015, 11:23 AM

Is this a good place to mention that Dave Cameron, the head editor/writer at Fangraphs, whiffed on every single playoff prediction he made for the AL.

Not only did he not pick a wildcard or division winner correctly, EVERY SINGLE TEAM HE PICKED IN THE PRESEASON FAILED TO QUALIFY FOR THE PLAYOFFS.

He picked the Red Sox, Tigers and Angels to win divisions (hey, at least the Angels didn't finish dead ****ing last like the other two).

He picked Seattle and Cleveland in the wildcards (who finished 10 and 4.5 games out of the WC, respectively).

**Bowser** · 10-05-2015, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Is this a good place to mention that Dave Cameron, the head editor/writer at Fangraphs, whiffed on every single playoff prediction he made for the AL.

Not only not pick a wildcard or division winner correctly, EVERY SINGLE TEAM HE PICKED IN THE PRESEASON FAILED TO QUALIFY FOR THE PLAYOFFS.

He picked the Red Sox, Tigers and Angels to win divisions (hey, at least the Angels didn't finish dead ****ing last like the other two).

He picked Seattle and Cleveland in the wildcards (who finished 10 and 4.5 games out of the WC, respectively).

Lol. Dave's next gig will be as a weatherman.

Kidd Lex · 10-05-2015, 11:28 AM

Too much "random sequencing".

**Bob Dole** · 10-05-2015, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Is this a good place to mention that Dave Cameron, the head editor/writer at Fangraphs, whiffed on every single playoff prediction he made for the AL.

Not only not pick a wildcard or division winner correctly, EVERY SINGLE TEAM HE PICKED IN THE PRESEASON FAILED TO QUALIFY FOR THE PLAYOFFS.

He picked the Red Sox, Tigers and Angels to win divisions (hey, at least the Angels didn't finish dead ****ing last like the other two).

He picked Seattle and Cleveland in the wildcards (who finished 10 and 4.5 games out of the WC, respectively).

Is that the same guy who picked the Royals to finish 3rd with 72 wins?

**Bowser** · 10-05-2015, 11:36 AM

It just dawned on me that we finished with 95 wins while having a losing September. I'm sure that's not the first time something like that ever happened, but still impressive nonetheless.

ReynardMuldrake · 10-05-2015, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Is this a good place to mention that Dave Cameron, the head editor/writer at Fangraphs, whiffed on every single playoff prediction he made for the AL.

Not only not pick a wildcard or division winner correctly, EVERY SINGLE TEAM HE PICKED IN THE PRESEASON FAILED TO QUALIFY FOR THE PLAYOFFS.

He picked the Red Sox, Tigers and Angels to win divisions (hey, at least the Angels didn't finish dead ****ing last like the other two).

He picked Seattle and Cleveland in the wildcards (who finished 10 and 4.5 games out of the WC, respectively).

You think that's bad, nobody at Fox Sports picked Kansas City to even make the playoffs. 0/12.

http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/2...y-young-040515

BWillie · 10-05-2015, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhawhaWhat

#Yankees release statement from CC Sabathia saying that he is checking himself into alcohol rehabilitation center.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 5, 2015

#Yankees’ Sabathia says in statement that he looks forward to rejoining team next season.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 5, 2015

I guess that explains why he hasn't been any good for three years. Could actually be a good thing for the Yankees in the short term, not going to be difficult to replace that 5 ERA

07-14-2015, 11:05 PM
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1480308	* 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: 21,147

10-04-2015, 11:42 PM	#3946
cosmo20002 Debunking your bullshit Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: KC area Casino cash: $5000315	I have no idea what they did last year, but whatever reasoning they use to slot the Thurs night game...wouldn't the same reasoning have it make sense to have the same teams play Fri night? Also, you have the slight disadvantage of a day game after a night game if they switch the Thurs/Fri day teams.
Posts: 52,592

10-05-2015, 09:54 AM	#3948
Great Expectations MVP Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Joplin, MO Casino cash: $13432338	If the Cubs win that will get the primetime spot vs St Louis. __________________
Posts: 7,228

10-05-2015, 11:08 AM	#3949
WhawhaWhat MVP Join Date: Feb 2013 Casino cash: $1311116	#Yankees release statement from CC Sabathia saying that he is checking himself into alcohol rehabilitation center. — Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 5, 2015 #Yankees’ Sabathia says in statement that he looks forward to rejoining team next season. — Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 5, 2015
Posts: 17,357

10-05-2015, 11:09 AM	#3950
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $3201616	Whoa, that's kind of big news....
Posts: 101,054

10-05-2015, 11:11 AM	#3952
suzzer99 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: L.A. Casino cash: $2694284	Was he going to be on the playoff roster?
Posts: 27,305

10-05-2015, 11:23 AM	#3954
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1480308	Is this a good place to mention that Dave Cameron, the head editor/writer at Fangraphs, whiffed on every single playoff prediction he made for the AL. Not only did he not pick a wildcard or division winner correctly, EVERY SINGLE TEAM HE PICKED IN THE PRESEASON FAILED TO QUALIFY FOR THE PLAYOFFS. He picked the Red Sox, Tigers and Angels to win divisions (hey, at least the Angels didn't finish dead ***ing last like the other two). He picked Seattle and Cleveland in the wildcards (who finished 10 and 4.5 games out of the WC, respectively). __________________ "You gotta love livin', cause dying is a pain in the ass." ---- Sinatra Last edited by duncan_idaho; 10-05-2015 at 11:56 AM..*
Posts: 21,147

10-05-2015, 11:28 AM	#3956
Kidd Lex Veteran Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $4792608	Too much "random sequencing". __________________ You are not your job, you're not how much money you have in the bank. You are not the car you drive. You're not the contents of your wallet. You are not your ****ing khakis. -Fight Club
Posts: 4,159

10-05-2015, 11:36 AM	#3958
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $3201616	It just dawned on me that we finished with 95 wins while having a losing September. I'm sure that's not the first time something like that ever happened, but still impressive nonetheless.
Posts: 101,054