Royals *** Official Royals Repository, Part 4 *** - Page 266

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.

WhawhaWhat · 10-05-2015, 01:11 PM

So are the other Yankees happy that he's getting help or pissed that he just quit on them?

**Nzoner** · 10-05-2015, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hootie 2.0

I'm not sure if I predicted anything other than the Royals being disgustingly underrated by the "experts" ... but in November 2014 I did smoke out a $25 bet on the Cubs at 28:1 to win the WS in Vegas thinking they'd land Lester and Shields. I'm sure it will end up being about as valuable as my 9:1 $100 bet on the Seahawks to win the Super Bowl at the same time.

Must be nice I got it at 8:1 in March

WhawhaWhat · 10-05-2015, 01:56 PM

BWillie · 10-05-2015, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhawhaWhat

So are the other Yankees happy that he's getting help or pissed that he just quit on them?

This is pretty surprising. My guess is he showed up to some team function drunk off his ass because he was really excited when they clinched the playoff berth and couldn't stop talking about how he was excited to help the team win.

Pablo · 10-05-2015, 02:04 PM

Ready for this shit!

Buddy got tickets for Game 1 from his boss and I'll be there Thursday night. Pretty ****ing pumped!

**alnorth** · 10-05-2015, 02:08 PM

Sunday's game is MLB Network? I don't even have the option to buy that channel on my cable.

duncan_idaho · 10-05-2015, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alnorth

Sunday's game is MLB Network? I don't even have the option to buy that channel on my cable.

This is unfortunate. MLB Network is like Alexandra Daddario's tits. Once you've seen them, everything else pales in comparison.

Pablo · 10-05-2015, 02:14 PM

I'm sure they'll open the complex up pretty early on Thursday for some tailgating action.

And Sunday should work out great. Chiefs at noon, then I get to watch a franchise that doesn't suck hobo asshole directly after. Awesome stuff.

**alnorth** · 10-05-2015, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

This is unfortunate. MLB Network is like Alexandra Daddario's tits. Once you've seen them, everything else pales in comparison.

oh well, I guess I'll probably see that game at a bar or something.

I'm also going to be at game 1, so right now I'm planning on starting the game thread for game 2, but not game 1 and probably not game 3.

big nasty kcnut · 10-05-2015, 02:30 PM

I got the game one thread! For sure!

**Anyong Bluth** · 10-05-2015, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReynardMuldrake

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

98% of media, commentators , or whoever that made predictions didn't pick the Royals to do anything. A handful of writers out there were kind enough to not dismiss the team's WS appearance as a fluke, but no one was really on their bandwagon prior to opening day.

The projections of this team being a 72 - 76 win team depending on the source and their formula is a perfect example of why not to lean too heavily on the numbers. The sport is obsessed with numbers, quantifying them , and assigning them value or significance. Except it's still a game of chance, human error, and abstract consequence.

There are more variables unaccounted for than have ever been factored by a wide margin.

Why do some guys break down in their early 30s, while Jamie Moyer can pitch until he's 84?
Tim Lincecum can't throw harder than a lot of high school players and yet he's a major league pitcher.

Playing with the numbers can be entertaining, but there's nothing more boring or annoying than trying to have a real discussion about baseball than a saber-stats geek full of himself because he thinks he has some stats that will dazzle you

sedated · 10-05-2015, 02:36 PM

I can't find any websites with game times set, not even MLB. They all still say "TBD". I'm getting Friday afternoon off anyway.

**Anyong Bluth** · 10-05-2015, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alnorth

Sunday's game is MLB Network? I don't even have the option to buy that channel on my cable.

I'm pretty sure it's in conjunction - like how NFL network shows some of the games on broadcast tv as well as their channel. I'm pretty sure all the AL games are on Fox affiliated channels.

tk13 · 10-05-2015, 02:38 PM

Haha Jays fans are TICKED. But I don't know what they expected. They'll get huge ratings in Canada but it won't be on FS1. No way they're getting a slot over Mets/Dodgers or Cards/Cubs.
Posted via Mobile Device

**Nzoner** · 10-05-2015, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sedated

I can't find any websites with game times set, not even MLB. They all still say "TBD". I'm getting Friday afternoon off anyway.

post 3979 has a graph with times but I have no idea where the hell it came from,MLB.com doesn't even have all times yet

07-14-2015, 11:05 PM
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1200308	* 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..
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10-05-2015, 01:11 PM	#3976
WhawhaWhat MVP Join Date: Feb 2013 Casino cash: $1021116	So are the other Yankees happy that he's getting help or pissed that he just quit on them?
Posts: 17,494

10-05-2015, 01:56 PM	#3978
WhawhaWhat MVP Join Date: Feb 2013 Casino cash: $1021116
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10-05-2015, 02:04 PM	#3980
Pablo Ultrabanned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: North da River Casino cash: $1459356	Ready for this shit! Buddy got tickets for Game 1 from his boss and I'll be there Thursday night. Pretty ****ing pumped!
Posts: 40,869

10-05-2015, 02:08 PM	#3981
alnorth . Join Date: Dec 2002 Casino cash: $57156239	Sunday's game is MLB Network? I don't even have the option to buy that channel on my cable. __________________ how many emo kids does it take to change a lightbulb? HOW MANY?! none they just sit in the dark and cry
Posts: 36,130

10-05-2015, 02:14 PM	#3983
Pablo Ultrabanned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: North da River Casino cash: $1459356	I'm sure they'll open the complex up pretty early on Thursday for some tailgating action. And Sunday should work out great. Chiefs at noon, then I get to watch a franchise that doesn't suck hobo asshole directly after. Awesome stuff.
Posts: 40,869

10-05-2015, 02:30 PM	#3985
big nasty kcnut The pizza king of kansas Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Somewhere in the u.s.a. Casino cash: $1060900	I got the game one thread! For sure! __________________ When it's grim, be the grim reaper and go get it. Adopt a chiefs Travis Kelce. You woke up the wrong mother****er!
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10-05-2015, 02:38 PM	#3989
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1442500	Haha Jays fans are TICKED. But I don't know what they expected. They'll get huge ratings in Canada but it won't be on FS1. No way they're getting a slot over Mets/Dodgers or Cards/Cubs. Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 55,071