Royals *** Official Royals Repository, Part 4 *** - Page 274

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 · 10-06-2015, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anyong Bluth

1st I was being tongue in cheek. But, Kuntz is universally lauded around baseball. Ned has spoken about him and his disbelief he was able to add him to the staff. Even though they're friends, the only way he was available was because the manager got fired and they cleaned house to start fresh with his last club I believe.

It's pretty obvious how respected and liked he is throughoutthe organization from top to bottom when he was taking a medical absence earlier this year.

You stated you didn't know much about him or his reputation or responsibilities, but when someone offered you an answer you immediately try to refute it and get argumentative? I don't get it.
The part I put in bold speaks more to the fact you take issue with who responded with an answer than the answer itself.

Also, no, not everything requires a statistical analysis and breakdown. I have yet to see the formula for determining how big a pimp somebody is empirically.

Besides, the pimp mention stems from last year's playoffs.
Being on national TV a lot got him noticed, and he started getting a bunch of fan mail and chatter from a lot of women because he bears a striking resemblance to Robert Redford. The notoriety carried over into them doing a few interviews and video segments about him because he was getting so much attention from women all across the country.

My whole post was in celebration, and it certainly wasn't meant to be scrutinized or become a topic to cause vitriol in the repository. The thread is supposed to be much dickhead free, and the small amount alloted is monopolized by PB.

Uh, yeah..."You stated you didn't know much about him or his reputation or responsibilities..."
I never said anything like that.

**Anyong Bluth** · 10-06-2015, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmo20002

Only Jerry Crasnick loves us.

I love it. They'll never admit it, but these guys peek at this stuff- especially the younger guys.

I'd just as soon let them see that even though they are the top seed in the AL and had the 2nd best record in baseball for about 80% of the season, and yet NO ONE thinks they stand a chance.

They predicted a 74 win team.
WRONG.

They predicted they'd finish 3rd or 4th in the division.
WRONG.

They predicted KC couldn't make up for the loss of Shields and Butler (ha!).
WRONG.

They predicted anyone else would be the best in the AL and the Royals would be lucky to sneak in to win one of the wildcard spots.
WRONG.

So, let them keep underestimating them and I hope it only motivates them to lock in with laser focus and just a bit of a chip on their shoulder to keep them playing aggressive and mentally sharp.

You caught a glimpse of the reawakening this last week after some of the players admitted as much that this last month had become a grind and they were bored just waiting for some meaningful games to finally get under way.

**Anyong Bluth** · 10-06-2015, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiTown

I'd say that's a very sound victory for you, Hootie.

3.55 ERA, 200.1 IP

He had an awful September, but I think he'll bounce back in the Playoffs. If so, I'll be lovin' our top 3.

I didn't realize he hit 200 innings. Once again, Dayton is ahead of the curve.

KChiefs1 · 10-06-2015, 06:01 PM

I think Houston wins tonight & they scare me.

ChiefsCountry · 10-06-2015, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suzzer99

Royals have 3 of the top 10 FAs by WAR.

Most WAR by 2014-2015 Free Agents. #Royals have 3 of top 10 pic.twitter.com/uz41C8TLnz
— Dan Hirsch (@DanHirsch) October 6, 2015

That is how you run away with your division.

I was pounding the table for Colby Rasmus. Thought he would be a solid option for RF. Of course I also was wanting Alex Rios the last couple of years as well.

tk13 · 10-06-2015, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmo20002

No one said he sucked. I questioned how someone would come to the conclusion that he is the best in MLB, especially while saying our 3B coach should be fired.

Well there was a Boston Globe article a couple years ago ranking coaches, and Kuntz was rated the best baserunning and outfield coach in baseball. I don't know how you quantify the absolute best, but he's certainly up there. You certainly seem skeptical.

My point was he's a lot more than just a 1st base coach. He works with all the runners on their baserunning, and watches all the tape on pitchers to figure out their tells on a move to first base. He also works with all the outfielders on their OF defense and makes the defensive positioning calls.

Is he the best? I don't know, but under his watch this team has been great defensively, the OFers have all gotten better, and we're been at or near the top of SBs with a very high success percentage. He was also the guy who taught Gordon how to play LF, and that worked out pretty well.

CaliforniaChief · 10-06-2015, 06:14 PM

Two Royals fans sitting in row 3 right behind the Houston dugout. Well done!

ChiefsCountry · 10-06-2015, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

Two Royals fans sitting in row 3 right behind the Houston dugout. Well done!

And our buddy Marlin Man.

CaliforniaChief · 10-06-2015, 06:18 PM

That was a big first inning for Tanaka.

Just my opinion, but the Astros would be a much more formidable foe than NYY. Then again, Angels fans were begging for us in the first round last year.

ROYC75 · 10-06-2015, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suzzer99

Yep Yankees. They did nothing to improve down the stretch and isn't one of their stud relievers struggling or hurt or something? Also Royals/Yankees for old time's sake will be kind of fun. We'll get to see Brett's homer in 1980 about 100 times.

Then maybe we'll get to see Royals/BJs '85 highlights if the home teams hold. Brett's incredible career game. Sundberg's awesome bases-clearing triple. Wasn't there some controversy that had the Jays all pissy and whining? I know I've never liked Toronto since that series.

Then if the home teams hold again we'll get to see Denkinger's call about 300 times, on the 30th anniversary of the first I-70 series. And while that is probably the last matchup I want to see since Bum**** is out, it will still be fun just to needle Cards fans every time they replay that call.

It's suddenly DeJaVu?

ChiefsCountry · 10-06-2015, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROYC75

It's suddenly DeJaVu?

Kind of....

mr. tegu · 10-06-2015, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

That was a big first inning for Tanaka.

Just my opinion, but the Astros would be a much more formidable foe than NYY. Then again, Angels fans were begging for us in the first round last year.

I think that was more about them not wanting to play a familiar opponent.

KChiefs1 · 10-06-2015, 08:09 PM

Looking like a Royals vs Houston ALDS.

**lewdog** · 10-06-2015, 08:18 PM

Can I assume the Jays will be the early game Thursday since they're eastern time zone?

suzzer99 · 10-06-2015, 08:19 PM

We're the late game Thurs, early game Fri.

07-14-2015, 11:05 PM
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1400308	* 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: 21,166

10-06-2015, 06:01 PM	#4099
KChiefs1 I’m a Mahomo! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mid-Missouri Casino cash: $6771021	I think Houston wins tonight & they scare me. __________________
Posts: 54,038

10-06-2015, 06:14 PM	#4102
CaliforniaChief #RIPAce Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal Casino cash: $12302899	Two Royals fans sitting in row 3 right behind the Houston dugout. Well done!
Posts: 17,329

10-06-2015, 06:18 PM	#4104
CaliforniaChief #RIPAce Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal Casino cash: $12302899	That was a big first inning for Tanaka. Just my opinion, but the Astros would be a much more formidable foe than NYY. Then again, Angels fans were begging for us in the first round last year.
Posts: 17,329

10-06-2015, 08:09 PM	#4108
KChiefs1 I’m a Mahomo! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mid-Missouri Casino cash: $6771021	Looking like a Royals vs Houston ALDS. __________________
Posts: 54,038

10-06-2015, 08:18 PM	#4109
lewdog Mod Team Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Valley of the hot as **** Casino cash: $1541900	Can I assume the Jays will be the early game Thursday since they're eastern time zone?
Posts: 45,678

10-06-2015, 08:19 PM	#4110
suzzer99 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: L.A. Casino cash: $2604284	We're the late game Thurs, early game Fri.
Posts: 27,314