Royals *** Official Royals Repository, Part 4 *** - Page 15

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.

Sure-Oz · 07-29-2015, 09:57 PM

Bora's being a smartass. Lol
@defiantlydutch: Boras also said the Brewers might have gotten from the Mets an MRI of Wheeler's left arm. This is the best night ever.

tk13 · 07-29-2015, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saul Good

It almost certainly wouldn't wind up being that pitching matchup. You don't get to set up your rotation in the wild card game.

It just depends on how close the race is. We got Shields/Lester last year.

KChiefs1 · 07-29-2015, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

Bora's being a smartass. Lol
@defiantlydutch: Boras also said the Brewers might have gotten from the Mets an MRI of Wheeler's left arm. This is the best night ever.

https://twitter.com/mlbonfox/status/626606892207357952

FOX Sports: MLB
FOX Sports: MLB – Verified account ‏@MLBONFOX

JUST IN: the #Mets reportedly backed out of the trade with the #Brewers due to concern over a hip issue w/Carlos Gomez.

via @Ken_Rosenthal
9:14 PM - 29 Jul 2015

KChiefs1 · 07-29-2015, 10:24 PM

A trade between the Dodgers and Marlins involving right-hander Mat Latos and slugger Michael Morse, which was said to be completed Wednesday morning, instead was put on hold. A third team, the Braves, became involved and the final three-way deal still was being assembled as of Wednesday night.

Here's what is being reported by CBS Sports Baseball Insider Jon Heyman and others:

Dodgers would receive: Latos and Morse from the Marlins, plus pitchers Alex Wood, Jim Johnson and Luis Avilan, along with infield prospect Jose Peraza from the Braves.

Braves would receive: Infield prospect Hector Olivera, minor-league pitcher Zachary Bird, and major-league lefty Paco Rodriguez. They also get a competitive balance draft pick from the Marlins.

Marlins would receive: Three minor-league pitchers from the Dodgers -- right-handers Jeff Brigham, Victor Araujo and Kevin Guzman.

**The Franchise** · 07-29-2015, 10:27 PM

Hopefully the Dodgers can get Price.

KChiefs1 · 07-29-2015, 10:38 PM

I'd be happy facing the winner of the Angels vs Twins WC game.

KChiefs1 · 07-29-2015, 10:42 PM

Blanton's been traded to Pittsburgh for cash.

https://twitter.com/chriscotillo/sta...11682912137216

@adamdberry: #Pirates acquired Joe Blanton from the Royals in exchange for cash considerations. He's expected to join the team in Cincinnati tomorrow.

baitism · 07-29-2015, 10:44 PM

I would love to play the Angels again. We are in their heads.

baitism · 07-29-2015, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

Blanton's been traded to Pittsburgh for cash.

https://twitter.com/chriscotillo/sta...11682912137216

@adamdberry: #Pirates acquired Joe Blanton from the Royals in exchange for cash considerations. He's expected to join the team in Cincinnati tomorrow.

Probably $100 or something.

SPchief · 07-29-2015, 10:53 PM

Holy crap. We actually got something in return for Blanton?

blazzin311 · 07-29-2015, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baitism

Probably $100 or something.

$17.38?

KChiefs1 · 07-29-2015, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPchief

Holy crap. We actually got something in return for Blanton?

Pirates were probably impressed with how he did in the Vargas game.

Prison Bitch · 07-29-2015, 11:15 PM

Guts should've been in Cinci for AS week. Not to play of course, but to pitch the HR Derby

SPchief · 07-30-2015, 12:05 AM

Cards got a new $1B tv deal, 2 years before their current one expires. Lets hope Dayton (Or whoever negotiates that stuff) can get us one done soon

NEWS: #Cardinals modernize their rights deal, strike new, lucrative 15-year pact with Fox Sports Midwest. #stlcards http://t.co/OH9MBYflXx
— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) July 30, 2015

kcchiefsus · 07-30-2015, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPchief

Cards got a new $1B tv deal, 2 years before their current one expires. Lets hope Dayton (Or whoever negotiates that stuff) can get us one done soon

NEWS: #Cardinals modernize their rights deal, strike new, lucrative 15-year pact with Fox Sports Midwest. #stlcards http://t.co/OH9MBYflXx
— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) July 30, 2015

God damn, they better. Need to threaten FSKC they won't sign a new contract unless they can renegotiate now.

07-14-2015, 11:05 PM
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1600308	* 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: 21,139

07-29-2015, 10:24 PM	#214
KChiefs1 I’m a Mahomo! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mid-Missouri Casino cash: $6771021	* Official Royals Repository, Part 4 * A trade between the Dodgers and Marlins involving right-hander Mat Latos and slugger Michael Morse, which was said to be completed Wednesday morning, instead was put on hold. A third team, the Braves, became involved and the final three-way deal still was being assembled as of Wednesday night. Here's what is being reported by CBS Sports Baseball Insider Jon Heyman and others: Dodgers would receive: Latos and Morse from the Marlins, plus pitchers Alex Wood, Jim Johnson and Luis Avilan, along with infield prospect Jose Peraza from the Braves. Braves would receive: Infield prospect Hector Olivera, minor-league pitcher Zachary Bird, and major-league lefty Paco Rodriguez. They also get a competitive balance draft pick from the Marlins. Marlins would receive: Three minor-league pitchers from the Dodgers -- right-handers Jeff Brigham, Victor Araujo and Kevin Guzman. __________________
Posts: 54,038

07-29-2015, 10:27 PM	#215
The Franchise Most Valuable Villain Join Date: Dec 2006 Casino cash: $2955047	Hopefully the Dodgers can get Price.
Posts: 92,208

07-29-2015, 10:38 PM	#216
KChiefs1 I’m a Mahomo! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mid-Missouri Casino cash: $6771021	I'd be happy facing the winner of the Angels vs Twins WC game. __________________
Posts: 54,038

07-29-2015, 10:42 PM	#217
KChiefs1 I’m a Mahomo! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mid-Missouri Casino cash: $6771021	* Official Royals Repository, Part 4 * Blanton's been traded to Pittsburgh for cash. https://twitter.com/chriscotillo/sta...11682912137216 @adamdberry: #Pirates acquired Joe Blanton from the Royals in exchange for cash considerations. He's expected to join the team in Cincinnati tomorrow. __________________
Posts: 54,038

07-29-2015, 10:44 PM	#218
baitism Starter Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Overland Park, KS Casino cash: $5059551	I would love to play the Angels again. We are in their heads.
Posts: 126

07-29-2015, 10:53 PM	#220
SPchief In Search of a Life Join Date: Feb 2004 Casino cash: $1692905	Holy crap. We actually got something in return for Blanton? __________________ http://give.somo.org/site/TR/Plunge/...nal&fr_id=1244 ^^^^^^^^^^ Click here to help with a special cause. Please help me out
Posts: 36,007

07-29-2015, 11:15 PM	#223
Prison Bitch Rabbi Goldmann Join Date: Nov 2012 Casino cash: $5450159	Guts should've been in Cinci for AS week. Not to play of course, but to pitch the HR Derby
Posts: 87,025

07-30-2015, 12:05 AM	#224
SPchief In Search of a Life Join Date: Feb 2004 Casino cash: $1692905	Cards got a new $1B tv deal, 2 years before their current one expires. Lets hope Dayton (Or whoever negotiates that stuff) can get us one done soon NEWS: #Cardinals modernize their rights deal, strike new, lucrative 15-year pact with Fox Sports Midwest. #stlcards http://t.co/OH9MBYflXx — Derrick Goold (@dgoold) July 30, 2015 __________________ http://give.somo.org/site/TR/Plunge/...nal&fr_id=1244 ^^^^^^^^^^ Click here to help with a special cause. Please help me out
Posts: 36,007