*** 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.

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

Diamond Club update:
https://youtu.be/RBsQNaM7fOo

Looks like those will be super nice. And super expensive.

[Dartgod]

Originally Posted by Bowser

Looks like those will be super nice. And $uper expen$ive.

FYP

[Prison Bitch]

Montreal looking great for expansion. As you know, MLB wants 32 teams like the NFL. Easier for scheduling. We would probably see an NFL style realigning with a 4x4 division setup. That means us, Chicago, Detroit and Minny. More than likely Cleve goes eastward. (It's possible they could push us South into Texas, paired with Colorado, but that is messier)



Anyway MTL has 3.5M people, lots of money, capital for a DT indoor stadium, great baseball demos, it'll work for sure. Ballpark + decent ownership should make them at least Toronto lite. >8M folks in Quebec tv market



That leaves 1 last city. Portent Ore, San Antonio....not many good options left. Vancouver?

[blake5676]

I thought Austin was pretty high on the list of potential cities for expansion. And I've read Nashville as well but I don't think they're quite ready yet.

[Prison Bitch]

Originally Posted by blake5676

I thought Austin was pretty high on the list of potential cities for expansion. And I've read Nashville as well but I don't think they're quite ready yet.

They're only 1hr from SA so they'd be part of that trade area. Really, these things aren't so much metro population as the trade area. Texas Rangers and Toronto have wayyyyy too big of trade areas. They're the 2 most Obv cuts:

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Damn Spankee bandwagoners

[KChiefs1]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

That's from 2015...wonder how much that's changed in the last couple of years?



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[KChiefs1]

http://www.royalsreview.com/2017/3/3...rkansas-roster

The Royals top minor league affiliates have begun setting their preliminary rosters, with top Royals pitching prospect Kyle Zimmer headed to AA Northwest Arkansas, according to beat writer Paul Boyd. This will be Zimmer’s fourth stint in AA, having spent time their in 2013, 2015, and 2016, although he has combined for just 67 2⁄3 innings there. Zimmer threw just 5 2⁄3 innings last year before he had thoracic outlet syndrome surgery.

Zimmer heads up a rotation that will also include talented, but enigmatic prospect Miguel Almonte. Almonte, who had a cup of coffee with the Royals in 2015, was on the cusp of breaking through, but took a major step backwards with a rough 2016 season that saw him demoted from AAA to AA. Right-handers Corey Ray, Zach Lovvorn, Christian Binford, and left-hander Matt Tenuta will round out the rotation.


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[ChiefsCountry]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

They're only 1hr from SA so they'd be part of that trade area. Really, these things aren't so much metro population as the trade area. Texas Rangers and Toronto have wayyyyy too big of trade areas. They're the 2 most Obv cuts:

Charlotte.

[ChiefsCountry]

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

That's from 2015...wonder how much that's changed in the last couple of years?



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Missouri divide is right between the Cardinals and Royals.

[KChiefs1]

Anyone think the Royals can win 90 this season?

I'm getting good vibes for some reason from this team. I even think Soler & Soria will be decent this year.

Am I crazy?


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[Great Expectations]

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

That's from 2015...wonder how much that's changed in the last couple of years?



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Extreme SWMO has a much larger/louder Royals fan base. Cardinal fans have been calling us a AAAA team for a long time. After our outperforming them for the last several years they can't say much and fans are showing their support more.

10 years ago if I was wearing a Royals hat in public I'd get several disparaging comments from the bfib. Now it's either Go Royals, or crickets....

[seaofred]

Originally Posted by Great Expectations

Extreme SWMO has a much larger/louder Royals fan base. Cardinal fans have been calling us a AAAA team for a long time. After our outperforming them for the last several years they can't say much and fans are showing their support more.

10 years ago if I was wearing a Royals hat in public I'd get several disparaging comments from the bfib. Now it's either Go Royals, or crickets....

That has been the best part of the last few years. I no longer get the snide little comments from those bfib, jerks.

[siberian khatru]

I thought this was an interesting nugget from Mellinger's season-preview column:

This sends Moore on a story. He said he was relieved when the Royals won Game 5 of the World Series in New York, because he sensed his team was wiped. Going back to Kansas City would’ve meant going back on a loss and having to beat Noah Syndergaard or Jacob deGrom.

I've mentioned before how scared I was about losing Game 5 because I didn't want to face Thor and deGrom, even at home. I couldn't bear the thought of blowing a 3-1 series lead. I'm so, so glad the Royals won in 5 and I never had to face the alternative, which would've made me a basket case.

What's shocking to me is that Moore admitted to having the same fears.

[Prison Bitch]

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

That's from 2015...wonder how much that's changed in the last couple of years?



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I would suspect almost none. Have your rooting interests changed the last 2 years to different sports teams? Neither have mine.