Royals *** Official Royals Repository, Part 4 *** - Page 3

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.

Great Expectations · 07-28-2015, 08:00 PM

Is there an updated list for our top prospects?

WhawhaWhat · 07-28-2015, 08:21 PM

CYCLE ALERT: #Royals and #NWANaturals OF Bubba Starling is a single away from the cycle. Due up 6th in the 8th inning. NWA leads, 10-1.
— NW Arkansas Naturals (@nwanaturals) July 29, 2015

KChiefs1 · 07-28-2015, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Great Expectations

Is there an updated list for our top prospects?

Ha Ha

tk13 · 07-28-2015, 08:24 PM

Baseball Tonight was just talking about the Zobrist trade. Everybody seemed to love it. Especially because the Royals didn't affect the major league roster like the A's did last year. Jim Bowden said he talked to Yost today. Zobrist will play LF until Gordon gets back, Ned likes having Dyson as a 4th OF he can plug in anywhere, or use off the bench.

When Gordon comes back, Zobrist can obviously play 2B/RF depending on how Infante/Rios are doing, and can give Hosmer/Moose days off from time to time.

Coach · 07-28-2015, 08:26 PM

lol. Tigers are so cooked. Getting roasted by the Rays. 10-2 the final score.

Prison Bitch · 07-28-2015, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach

lol. Tigers are so cooked. Getting roasted by the Rays. 10-2 the final score.

They've obv quit

big nasty kcnut · 07-28-2015, 08:26 PM

So about that updated top 30 list can you post it again?

Hootie · 07-28-2015, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tk13

Baseball Tonight was just talking about the Zobrist trade. Everybody seemed to love it. Especially because the Royals didn't affect the major league roster like the A's did last year. Jim Bowden said he talked to Yost today. Zobrist will play LF until Gordon gets back, Ned likes having Dyson as a 4th OF he can plug in anywhere, or use off the bench.

When Gordon comes back, Zobrist can obviously play 2B/RF depending on how Infante/Rios are doing, and can give Hosmer/Moose days off from time to time.

Which is fine, but it's not optimising our roster. The platoon with Dyson/Infante just makes too much sense ... And would build that "CHEMISTRY" with Esky while Gordon is out ... That is apparently so important

FringeNC · 07-28-2015, 08:28 PM

I'm just old enough to have been heartbroken by the Chris Chambliss shot in '76. That last inning was one of the most awesome in Royals' history.

Jerok · 07-28-2015, 08:28 PM

Almost want tigers to win the next 3 or 4 so it pushes them into buy mode, screwing their future.

Prison Bitch · 07-28-2015, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerok

Almost want tigers to win the next 3 or 4 so it pushes them into buy mode, screwing their future.

Lol they ain't buying

**noa** · 07-28-2015, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FringeNC

I'm just old enough to have been heartbroken by the Chris Chambliss shot in '76. That last inning was one of the most awesome in Royals' history.

Agree, we're being spoiled with a team this year that can grind out wins that I generally expect my team to lose, like the White Sox game where Holland blew the save and it went into extra innings, or tonight, where Bauer was dealing and Esky hit into that killer DP. Love that they find ways to pull it out, and the Infante/Esky play was one of the all time greats. So much fun watching these guys.

Coach · 07-28-2015, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

Lol they ain't buying

They ain't selling either. They're having internal fighting about that.

**Dartgod** · 07-28-2015, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach

lol. Tigers are so cooked. Getting roasted by the Rays. 10-2 the final score.

They've fallen behind the White Sox now, 13.5 games back.

teedubya · 07-28-2015, 08:50 PM

This is the most fun that I've had as a KC sports fan since I was a kid. Maybe ever. This team is amazing to watch.

07-14-2015, 11:05 PM
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1220308	* 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: 21,199

07-28-2015, 08:00 PM	#31
Great Expectations MVP Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Joplin, MO Casino cash: $13252338	Is there an updated list for our top prospects? __________________
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07-28-2015, 08:21 PM	#32
WhawhaWhat MVP Join Date: Feb 2013 Casino cash: $1041116	CYCLE ALERT: #Royals and #NWANaturals OF Bubba Starling is a single away from the cycle. Due up 6th in the 8th inning. NWA leads, 10-1. — NW Arkansas Naturals (@nwanaturals) July 29, 2015
Posts: 17,494

07-28-2015, 08:24 PM	#34
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1462500	Baseball Tonight was just talking about the Zobrist trade. Everybody seemed to love it. Especially because the Royals didn't affect the major league roster like the A's did last year. Jim Bowden said he talked to Yost today. Zobrist will play LF until Gordon gets back, Ned likes having Dyson as a 4th OF he can plug in anywhere, or use off the bench. When Gordon comes back, Zobrist can obviously play 2B/RF depending on how Infante/Rios are doing, and can give Hosmer/Moose days off from time to time.
Posts: 55,070

07-28-2015, 08:26 PM	#35
Coach Champs! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $5678476	lol. Tigers are so cooked. Getting roasted by the Rays. 10-2 the final score. __________________ Super Bowl IV, LIV, LVII & LVIII Champions 2020, 2021, 2023, & 2024 AFC Champions 1985 & 2015 Major League Baseball World Series Champions 1980, 1985, 2014, & 2015 Major League Baseball American League Champions 2015 American League Central Division Champs
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07-28-2015, 08:26 PM	#37
big nasty kcnut The pizza king of kansas Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Somewhere in the u.s.a. Casino cash: $1080900	So about that updated top 30 list can you post it again? __________________ 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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07-28-2015, 08:28 PM	#39
FringeNC MVP Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: NC Casino cash: $1316014	I'm just old enough to have been heartbroken by the Chris Chambliss shot in '76. That last inning was one of the most awesome in Royals' history.
Posts: 10,174

07-28-2015, 08:28 PM	#40
Jerok Veteran Join Date: Sep 2013 Casino cash: $4894092	Almost want tigers to win the next 3 or 4 so it pushes them into buy mode, screwing their future.
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07-28-2015, 08:50 PM	#45
teedubya Most Valuable Poster Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $9460002	This is the most fun that I've had as a KC sports fan since I was a kid. Maybe ever. This team is amazing to watch.
Posts: 36,664