*** Official 2017 Royals Offseason Repository

[duncan_idaho]

The reign is over. Time to begin the quest for the next one.

Interesting offseason opens for the Royals. Will they go all in for one last shot with this crew? Will they re-tool for 2018 and beyond? Will Dayton Moore actually decrease payroll this time?

Trades, free agent signings, rumors, plans, proposals... dump 'em all here, for this is... the offseason repository!

Royals Top Prospects, 2017

This is a list that’s going to seem a little bleak initially, as Raul Mondesi got enough ABs to age out of the prospect rankings (just barely – at 135 ABs, he is not rookie eligible). But that said, I like the talent and feel like this is a system that will actually be underrated by the prospect services.

Spoiler!

Format: POS/Name/2017 Projected Final Level

1) 3B/OF Hunter Dozier, MLB. Dozier bounced back from a disastrous 2015 campaign that had many wondering, myself included, if he was wrecked. His strong offensive performance in 2016 saw Dozier recapture the mature approach that many liked coming up, while also starting to tap into his above-average raw power for the first time.

In addition to his success at the plate, Dozier also proved he could at least HANDLE an OF spot, which could put him in the conversation for 2017 playing time at the major leagues. If the Royals DO end up trading Cheslor Cuthbert, Dozier could find a decent amount of MLB playing time sliding between RF and 3B. With Moustakas recovering from knee surgery, he likely will need more regular breaks from the field. And the streaky Paulo Orlando is just not an intriguing short-side platoon partner for Jarrod Dyson.

2) LHP Matt Strahm, MLB. Strahm just barely skates under the rookie eligibility rules for a pitcher, so he can be included here. Royals fans already got a taste of the lefty’s abilities, as he used his above-average fastball and slurve to dominate out of the pen in 2016. For him to translate that dominance to the rotation, Strahm will need to maintain his velocity (92-94) and continue to improve a changeup that flashed average at times.

If the changeup becomes a weapon he can lean on against righties, Strahm could be a very solid mid-rotation starter and fringe ToR/No. 2 type (think Danny Duffy-lite).

3) RHP Josh Staumont, AAA. This one could blow up on me and look really silly by this time next year, but I’m encouraged by what we saw from Staumont late last year. He showed significantly improved control down the stretch for Northwest Arkansas, including some impressive playoff starts, while maintaining the big-time K ability. That trend continued in the Arizona Fall League.

If Staumont’s control holds, the Royals have a guy with a plus fastball, plus-plus curve, and average change (with a slider that could develop into a real weapon as he matures). He’ll start next season at AAA and could be an addition to the MLB bullpen or even the rotation before the season ends.

4) RF Jorge Bonifacio, AAA. Boni, like Dozier, had a bounceback season in 2016 with the bat, and also played 15-20 pounds lighter than the year before, which added some nice defensive utility according to reports I’ve gotten. He now looks like a guy could provide solid/average RF production in the major leagues… Average defense paired with potential to put up a .275/.335/.450 line. While that’s not all-star level, it IS playable. Especially at pre-arbitration dollars. He’ll get another year in Omaha to refine his approach, and likely be in the mix of a 2018 mini-youth movement… unless moved for MLB reinforcements.

5) C Meibrys Viloria, Low-A (Lexington). I haven’t seen him in person, but I like the pedigree. You’ve got a lefthanded hitting catcher with the defensive ability to stick behind the plate. He was a big-bonus guy out of Colombia (nearly $500k). And his offensive performance has been highly impressive early, with a good combination of power, plate discipline, and contact skills.

He’s forever away from the majors, just now clearing rookie ball, but Viloria is the most exciting prospect KC has had at Idaho Falls since someone on this board was gushing about a 16-year-old SS tearing it up.

6) 1B Ryan O’Hearn, AAA. O’Hearn is a guy who has never gotten a lot of hype from scouts, but he continues to be a strong producer. He’s someone who likely will strikeout about 25 percent of the time at the big-league level, but has the ability to be a .500+ SLG guy. That plays. He also has shown good patience at the plate, posting above-average OBPs at every level.

Bold prediction: I won’t be shocked if O’Hearn takes over at 1B for KC in 2018/2019 and provides similar offensive production to Hosmer out of the gate. He’s probably never going to be a consistent plus average (.290+) hitter, but .270 with 25 HR is something within reach for him. He’ll get his first shot at AAA in 2017.

7) RHP AJ Puckett, A+. Puckett is a high floor, low-ceiling guy who performed about as you’d expect in 2016 after being the Royals’ first pick in the 2016 Rule IV Draft. He’s not flashy, but Puckett does profile as a solid potential back-end starter. Good fastball command and an above-average changeup are his calling cards. If Puckett finds a reliable breaking ball to put batters away, this could tick up. Great athlete, very similar to Jake Odorizzi in that regard.

8) RF Khalil Lee, Low-A (Lexington). Lee was a two-way player in HS and many viewed him as a pitcher first as a pro, but the Royals drafted him as an OF and were reward with a strong debut campaign. Lee is not a big guy, but he produced solid power numbers despite that. He’s a dynamic athlete who could contribute with power and speed.

9) C Chase Vallot, High-A (Wilmington). Vallot has an intriguing bat, with plus raw power. Got off to a great start in 16 before being sidelined and then sidetracked by injury. RH bat may be good enough to push him out from behind the plate, where he has good tools but a long way to go.

10) RHP Jake Junis and RHP Alec Mills (AAA). I'm copping out here and including both at No. 10 because they're so similar. Like Puckett, they each project as a serviceable back of rotation starter. Similar stuff and profiles, though Junis has shown a little better strikeout ability and may have a smidge more upside as a result.

Others of note:

SS/CF Marten Gasparini. Production has been bad for this toolsy player, but Gasparini has speed and pop that jump out at you. At only 19, need to be patient with him... this European signee was even less polished when signing at 16 than the typical Latin America prospect.

OF Seuly Matias. Loud, loud tools. Matias profiles as a classic RF... big-time power potential. He's a long ways from the majors but is one of the Royals' biggest bonus babies from LA.

RHP Ashe Russell. 2014 1st rounder saw his velocity disappear last year and was quickly shut down. He's intriguing one way or the other, even if he ends up as another notch in the belt of the TINSTAAPP saying.

2B Corey Toups. O'Hearn's HS teammate has been an above-average producer for an up-the-middle player. His small stature hides a surprising amount of pop. Could turn into a Mark Grudzielanek type of offensive second baseman at his peak - solid average, lots of 2Bs.

RHP Scott Blewett, LHP Foster Griffin, RHP Nolan Watson - all three have underwhelmed as pros but were drafted in the supplemental round. Stuff and projectability for each is a positive. Wouldn't be surprised to see one of them take a Cody Reed-like step forward this season and crack the 50-75 range on prospect lists. They all have the natural ability.

SS/2B Ricky Aracena - Jose Altuve-sized Aracena is a switch hitting middle infielder who can flat out run. Switch hitter with a good approach.

RHP Pedro Fernandez - I'm still a believer in his stuff, even if he is destined for the pen. Was having a nice 2016 start until injuries derailed him right after his promotion to AA.

Sirs not Appearing in this Prospect List:

RHP Kyle Zimmer. Same story, different year. The Royals are hopeful they FINALLY found the cause of Zimmer's achy shoulder. If they really did, and he can stay healthy, the talent/potential is exciting.

OF Bubba Starling. Never trust a guy named Derek.

[ChiefsCountry]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Yeah, I think that's in reach. But think it's a 2-3 win drop overall.

Moustakas' steady defensive hand was definitely missed last year. And 10 HR make a big difference in value, too.

Would need to see the return.


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Dodgers want to drop Joc Pederson in our lap that would be okay.

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by siberian khatru

Other infielders still in mix for #Dodgers, per sources: Kinsler, Solarte, Moustakas, Forsythe.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 7, 2016

Wouldn't his value be down because he isn't fully rehabbed from the ACL?

[Prison Bitch]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Yeah, I think that's in reach. But think it's a 2-3 win drop overall.

Moustakas' steady defensive hand was definitely missed last year. And 10 HR make a big difference in value, too.

Would need to see the return.

I won't lie and say it's not a downgrade. Esp from what Moose is now. But it's a position of relative strength for us (I agree with you Cuthbert cannot play 2B). Trading 1 year of Moose for another position makes sense to me.


Remember too that Moose's track has been bumpy. He was great at 23 but pretty crappy at 24 and 25 until the playoffs. He had 1000 AB at a dreadful 76 wRC+. Cuthbert was 94 with a late season tailoff. Not the defender Moose is or the leader but again, we're KC not the Dodgers or Cubs.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Dodgers want to drop Joc Pederson in our lap that would be okay.

This seems unlikely to me, but would be interesting.

Ha. Just think about the prospect of pairing Peterson and Soler in the KC OF before 2015 compared to now. Two years makes a big difference, eh?


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[mikeyis4dcats.]

I think Moose's defense is way above Cuthberts. I also think his clubhouse leadership is needed. This team thrives off energy. Also why I'd hate to see Dyson go.

[Prison Bitch]

Dyson is long gone with Soler coming aboard. Burns and Orlando already fill out the OF spots. He's totally redundant (and I always loved Dyson)

[ChiefsCountry]

Prison Bitch's favorite likes the deal
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-w...nd-wade-davis/

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Dodgers want to drop Joc Pederson in our lap that would be okay.

That's not happening.

[cosmo20002]

Originally Posted by Mecca

How does trading a closer that looks like his peak has past and looks like he's going to need TJ soon not make sense to you?

Not sure how you diagnosed that, but if actual doctors with actual access to Wade and his actual records thought that, there would be no demand for him.

[CaliforniaChief]

The more I think about it, the more I like it. 1 year of a closer for what, 4 years of an everyday player with a high ceiling?

I don't doubt that Herrera can step into the closer role and own. My only concern is getting the ball to him.

[ChiefsCountry]

Dayton can build a bullpen. Not that worried about that.

[Prison Bitch]

Here are the Royals hitters, wRC+, with 250+ PA:

Kendrys 110
JORGE SOLER 106
Hosmer 101
Cain 98
Orlando 95
Dyson 94
Cuthbert 94
Merrifield 89
Salvy 88
Gordon 85
Alshittys 68

[RealSNR]

Herrera
Soria (c'mon, you know Ned's going to try to make this one work again)
Strahm
Hoch? Did we pick up his option? Did he even survive his AIDS surgery?

[KCCHIEFS27]

Hoch is a free agent. There were obvious times when his stuff made him look like our best bullpen arm. But Dayton and Co. has concerns with the injuries, so I don't expect him to be back unless it is a very good deal. Can't blame him.

[Prison Bitch]

thru age 24 to DJ's point:

Player PA BA OBP SLG OPS+ HR
Soler 765 0.258 0.328 0.434 107 27
Myers 987 0.256 0.327 0.407 107 27