Royals *** Official 2016 Royals Repository, Version 1 *** - Page 78

duncan_idaho · 04-03-2016, 09:48 AM

And so it begins: The Royals' second straight attempt to repeat as AL Champions, and first attempt to repeat as World Series champions.

In this thread, we'll track all non-gameday action. Roster moves, prospect news, etc.

I'll start the thread as usual, with division rivals thoughts. I still like KC to repeat as AL Central champs. Here's how I see the rest of it shaking out:

2) Indians - they have the pitching (and seem to have at least semi-Kluber-ed Cody Anderson, who added 3 mph to his fastball in the offseason). Will the offense hold up? I think this is a team that ends up looking a lot like the 2014 Royals. Francisco Lindor will solidify their IF defense over the full season, and is a help with the bat. I think this club is still a year away from really breaking through - the offense still has a lot of question marks - but I like them to nab a wildcard spot.

Key Player(s): Michael Brantley. When Brantley returns - and how he hits when he does - will be critical to the Indians' ability to be good enough on offense.

Jason Kipnis. Kipnis has been an enigmatic offensive performer for the past several years. If he finally has a good offensive campaign from start to finish, Cleveland could make real noise.

Something of interest to me: For all the acclaim the Twins' farm system gets, I look at the Indians young players, and would much rather have them. Brad Zimmer is going to be a very good all-around CF. Clint Frazier has huge power potential and should arrive soon (2017). Lindor is a young stud.

3) Tigers - Old and dependent on a few stars. If Verlander and Sanchez are healthy and effective, they will be playoff contenders. I'm sure JD Martinez will continue to hit roid-aided bombs. I'm also pretty sure Victor Martinez's days as a huge power threat are gone.

Key player: Justin Verlander. Detroit people would have you believe he figured out how to succeed without his big fastball in September of last year. If that's true, and he returns to dominant form, Detroit will likely contend again.

Something of interest to me: Will Jose Iglesias stay healthy and not try to kill teammates in the dugout? His defense makes the whole group much better.

4) Twins - They won't lead the division or be in playoff contention for as long this year, but Minnesota will avoid the cellar.

Key Player: Miguel Sano. Huge power, huge K rate. Can he continue to drive the ball and be a plus offensive player? Probably needs to cut that 35 percent K percentage to do so.

Something of interest to me: Will teams challenge Sano inside with hard stuff? Working away, away, just lets his power play up. Also - will Mike Berardino continue to be the biggest beat writer homer in MLB?

5) White Sox - still managed by a shitty manager who can't control his clubhouse (The blame for the LaRoche thing really should fall on him, not the GM). Still have a shitty overall defense and a lot of douchebags on the team. They will once again look better on paper than they actually perform.

Key player: Carlos Rodon. The White Sox need Rodon to take a big step forward to make an actual move this season. He's got the talent...

And, as always, here are the prospects.

Duncan’s Top 20 for 2016:

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. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
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.

Spoiler!

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.
18. Eric Skoglund, LHP: Skoglund had a nice year at Wilmington. I'm skeptical because his K rate is lower than I like to see for a guy at A+ - just 7/9, and usually guys lose a strikeout or two/9 as they move up the chain from there - but he has excellent control, walking 1.17 batters/9. 6-7 lefties with great control who get lots of ground balls - like Skoglund - have a chance to overcome bad K rates.
19. Ryan O'Hearn, 1B/LF: A lefty stick with power, O'Hearn was a savings signing as an 8th round pick, but a change in his approach increased his power - while increasing his K rate. After Vallot, probably the best pure power prospect in the Royals system.
20. Josh Staumont, RHP: I was terrified of this guy's control problems, and he walked nearly a batter an inning in his pro debut (32 BB in 40 1/3 IP). Staumont's nasty, nasty stuff (plus-plus fastball, plus slider) could make him a very good late-inning reliever who strikes out more than a batter an inning, if he can develop average or slightly below-average control. If he really masters the control, you're talking about a potential Greg Holland type, but that's a TALL task.

kcfanXIII · 05-25-2016, 10:36 AM

I had no idea a Royalsplanet existed. I visit, and you can imagine my disappointment when its nothing but Hootie talking to himself regarding threads on CP...

suzzer99 · 05-25-2016, 10:45 AM

That's hilarious and sad

**ChiTown** · 05-25-2016, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suzzer99

That's hilarious and sad

I tried it, but it just a forum for Hootie to vag out. He's such a miserable ****

cosmo20002 · 05-25-2016, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcfanXIII

I had no idea a Royalsplanet existed. I visit, and you can imagine my disappointment when its nothing but Hootie talking to himself regarding threads on CP...

Wow...that is a sad, sad display over there. Hootie has some problems to work through.

Mama Hip Rockets · 05-25-2016, 11:03 AM

Royals are saying on Twitter that they are targeting a 12:30 start time.

**Bowser** · 05-25-2016, 11:10 AM

The Royals have apparently traded OF Jose Alberto Martinez to the Cardinals for cash considerations. Just got a notification on my MLB At Bat on my phone, so no link.

**DaneMcCloud** · 05-25-2016, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

The Royals have apparently traded OF Jose Alberto Martinez to the Cardinals for cash considerations. Just got a notification on my MLB At Bat on my phone, so no link.

http://www.foxsports.com/midwest/sto...memphis-052516

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that they have acquired outfielder Jose Martinez from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for cash considerations.

Martinez , who was playing for Triple-A Omaha this season, has been assigned to the Triple-A Memphis roster. To make room for Martinez on the team's 40-man major league roster, the Cardinals transferred right-handed pitcher Mitch Harris (right elbow) from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL.

Jose Alberto Martinez, 27, was batting .298 with three home runs and 18 RBIs with a .356 on-base percentage in 37 games with Omaha this season. He is the son of former big-league outfielder Carlos Martinez.

Martinez won the Pacific Coast League batting title last season (.384) while also posting a league-best .461 on-base percentage. His 2015 All-Star season also included a career-high 10 homers and 60 RBIs.

The 6-foot-6, 210-pound Martinez has played 800 career games in the minors, batting .296 with 53 homers, 354 RBIs and 63 stolen bases. Martinez, who was originally signed as non-drafted minor league free agent by the Chicago White Sox in February 2006, also played in the Atlanta Braves organization before joining the Royals in 2015.

**SAUTO** · 05-25-2016, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Why Not?

The curse of the Balboni strikes again. Moose could've hit 40 this year.

Hey that's my line...

**SAUTO** · 05-25-2016, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiTown

I tried it, but it just a forum for Hootie to vag out. He's such a miserable ****

I did the same and agree

**Bowser** · 05-25-2016, 11:26 AM

Jesus, 6-6 and 210 pounds. That kid is a bean pole, lol.

Making room for Bubba in Omaha?

Why Not? · 05-25-2016, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

Hey that's my line...

Sorry. 🤐

**DaneMcCloud** · 05-25-2016, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

Jesus, 6-6 and 210 pounds. That kid is a bean pole, lol.

Making room for Bubba in Omaha?

According to this, Bubba's not doing so well at AA

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt...e79809892.html

Welcome to the first edition of Royals on the Farm, our weekly look at each level of Kansas City’s minor-league system. We’ll keep you up to date in this space on the top prospects who might become future stars with the Royals.

(Statistics through Tuesday’s games.)
Class AAA Omaha

The evolution of Brett Eibner continues in his third season with the Storm Chasers. A career .244 hitter in the minors, the center fielder is hitting over .300 for the second straight season with a .309/.411/.537 slash line, including 10 home runs and 28 runs batted in. Perhaps the biggest development for the 2010 second-round pick is his improved plate discipline. In 41 games this season, Eibner has walked a team-high 27 times. His previous high was 57 walks in 120 games for Class A Wilmington in 2012. … Not to be overlooked in Omaha’s outfield, Jorge Bonifacio is hitting at a .313 clip atop the lineup in his first year at Class AAA. Since an 0-for-4 night Saturday dropped his average to .301, the 22-year-old right fielder has six hits in 13 at-bats. However, the younger brother of former Royal Emilio Bonifacio will need to cut down on his team-high 46 strikeouts in 166 at-bats. ... Second baseman Christian Colon has five hits in 19 at-bats since being optioned from the Royals on May 18.
Class AA Northwest Arkansas

Right-hander Alec Mills keeps making his case as the best player of the Royals’ 2012 draft class. The former 22nd-round selection pitched six shutout innings on Sunday against Tulsa, lowering his ERA to 2.06 (sixth-lowest in the Texas League). It was his first start since a brief call-up with the Royals for a May 17 doubleheader against the Red Sox. He gave up one run in two-thirds of an inning that day, but he’s been lights-out for the Naturals. Mills is tied for second in the league with 49 strikeouts and hasn’t given up a home run in 48 innings this season. ... Speaking of strikeouts, righty Jake Junis jumped into the league lead Tuesday night with six strikeouts (in five shutout innings of a 2-1 win at San Antonio) to give him 52 this season. Opponents are hitting just .223 against Junis, who is having by far his best season since the Royals drafted him in the 29th round in 2011. He also owns career lows in ERA (3.08) and WHIP (1.07).
Class A Wilmington (Advanced)

Not much has gone right so far for the Blue Rocks (13-30), who entered Wednesday 2 1/2 games clear of the worst record in the Carolina League. One of the lone bright spots the past few weeks has been the play of center fielder Alfredo Escalera. The 21-year-old Puerto Rican, an eighth-round draft pick in 2012, was hitting just .225 on May 18 but has raised his average to .275 after a 12-for-22 clip. ... Center fielder Brandon Downes is hitting a solid .260 but has a league-high 61 strikeouts in 150 at-bats.
Class A Lexington

With Salvador Perez under contract through the 2021 season, Legends catcher Chase Vallot could become a viable trading chip for the Royals in the near future. Vallot, the 40th pick of the 2014 draft, is tied for third in the South Atlantic League with seven home runs. He missed nearly a week before returning to the Legends’ lineup Tuesday, going went 1-for-3 to raise his slash line to .284/.403/.543. ... After a disastrous start to 2016, righty Scott Blewett is starting to look the part of his 2014 second-round draft status. He pitched five shutout innings against Greenville on Sunday to lower his ERA under 5.00 for the first time this season. Walks have been the biggest problem for Blewett (2-4, 4.74), who has surrendered 25 in 43 2/3 innings.
The Top 10

A look at how the Royals’ top 10 prospects, according to Baseball America, have fared this season:

1. SS Raul Mondesi: The 20-year-old was hitting .250 in 25 games at Northwest Arkansas when MLB suspended him 50 games on May 10 for failing a drug test.

2. RHP Kyle Zimmer: When he’s been healthy, the former first-round pick has had success this season, posting a 1.59 ERA in 5 2/3 innings between Wilmington and Northwest Arkansas. However, Zimmer hasn’t pitched since May 17 due to an injured shoulder.

3. OF Bubba Starling: The Gardner, Kan., native and 2011 first-round pick hasn’t played since May 19 and is in the midst of a 3-for-39 slump over his past 10 games with Northwest Arkansas.

4. RHP Miguel Almonte: The 23-year-old righty has 22 walks and a 4.67 ERA in 34 2/3 innings at Omaha.

5. RHP Nolan Watson: It took nine games, but the 33rd pick of last year’s draft finally has an ERA under 10 thanks to five shutout innings on May 19. The righty is 1-4 with an 8.80 ERA for Lexington.

6. RHP Ashe Russell: The 21st overall pick of last year’s has yet to play in 2016 and will likely rejoin Burlington of the rookie-level Appalachian League when the season opens in late June.

7. SS Marten Gasparini: The Italian is struggling mightily in low-A ball, hitting just .161 in 112 at-bats.

8. LHP Matt Strahm: He’s been very consistent for Northwest Arkansas, maintaining an ERA in the mid-2s all season. His 48 strikeouts are fifth-most in the Texas League.

9. RHP Scott Blewett: He’s lowered his ERA in each of his past four starts, allowing eight earned runs in 21 innings.

10. IF Cheslor Cuthbert: The 23-year-old Nicaraguan was hitting .333 with Omaha before getting called up to the majors. He owns a .255 average in 14 games with the Royals.

CoMoChief · 05-26-2016, 12:15 AM

ummm....wtf ???

Prison Bitch · 05-26-2016, 09:39 AM

It's rather amazing how the # of board fights has plummeted without Hootie around any longer.

Fansy the Famous Bard · 05-26-2016, 09:58 AM

F U, Bitch get it right:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

It's HILARIOUS how the # of board fights has plummeted without Hootie around any longer.

04-03-2016, 09:48 AM
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1730308	* Official 2016 Royals Repository, Version 1 * And so it begins: The Royals' second straight attempt to repeat as AL Champions, and first attempt to repeat as World Series champions. In this thread, we'll track all non-gameday action. Roster moves, prospect news, etc. I'll start the thread as usual, with division rivals thoughts. I still like KC to repeat as AL Central champs. Here's how I see the rest of it shaking out: 2) Indians - they have the pitching (and seem to have at least semi-Kluber-ed Cody Anderson, who added 3 mph to his fastball in the offseason). Will the offense hold up? I think this is a team that ends up looking a lot like the 2014 Royals. Francisco Lindor will solidify their IF defense over the full season, and is a help with the bat. I think this club is still a year away from really breaking through - the offense still has a lot of question marks - but I like them to nab a wildcard spot. Key Player(s): Michael Brantley. When Brantley returns - and how he hits when he does - will be critical to the Indians' ability to be good enough on offense. Jason Kipnis. Kipnis has been an enigmatic offensive performer for the past several years. If he finally has a good offensive campaign from start to finish, Cleveland could make real noise. Something of interest to me: For all the acclaim the Twins' farm system gets, I look at the Indians young players, and would much rather have them. Brad Zimmer is going to be a very good all-around CF. Clint Frazier has huge power potential and should arrive soon (2017). Lindor is a young stud. 3) Tigers - Old and dependent on a few stars. If Verlander and Sanchez are healthy and effective, they will be playoff contenders. I'm sure JD Martinez will continue to hit roid-aided bombs. I'm also pretty sure Victor Martinez's days as a huge power threat are gone. Key player: Justin Verlander. Detroit people would have you believe he figured out how to succeed without his big fastball in September of last year. If that's true, and he returns to dominant form, Detroit will likely contend again. Something of interest to me: Will Jose Iglesias stay healthy and not try to kill teammates in the dugout? His defense makes the whole group much better. 4) Twins - They won't lead the division or be in playoff contention for as long this year, but Minnesota will avoid the cellar. Key Player: Miguel Sano. Huge power, huge K rate. Can he continue to drive the ball and be a plus offensive player? Probably needs to cut that 35 percent K percentage to do so. Something of interest to me: Will teams challenge Sano inside with hard stuff? Working away, away, just lets his power play up. Also - will Mike Berardino continue to be the biggest beat writer homer in MLB? 5) White Sox - still managed by a shitty manager who can't control his clubhouse (The blame for the LaRoche thing really should fall on him, not the GM). Still have a shitty overall defense and a lot of douchebags on the team. They will once again look better on paper than they actually perform. Key player: Carlos Rodon. The White Sox need Rodon to take a big step forward to make an actual move this season. He's got the talent... And, as always, here are the prospects. Duncan’s Top 20 for 2016: 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. 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. 4. 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. 5. 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. 6. 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. 7. 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. 8. 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. 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. Spoiler! 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. 18. Eric Skoglund, LHP: Skoglund had a nice year at Wilmington. I'm skeptical because his K rate is lower than I like to see for a guy at A+ - just 7/9, and usually guys lose a strikeout or two/9 as they move up the chain from there - but he has excellent control, walking 1.17 batters/9. 6-7 lefties with great control who get lots of ground balls - like Skoglund - have a chance to overcome bad K rates. 19. Ryan O'Hearn, 1B/LF: A lefty stick with power, O'Hearn was a savings signing as an 8th round pick, but a change in his approach increased his power - while increasing his K rate. After Vallot, probably the best pure power prospect in the Royals system. 20. Josh Staumont, RHP: I was terrified of this guy's control problems, and he walked nearly a batter an inning in his pro debut (32 BB in 40 1/3 IP). Staumont's nasty, nasty stuff (plus-plus fastball, plus slider) could make him a very good late-inning reliever who strikes out more than a batter an inning, if he can develop average or slightly below-average control. If he really masters the control, you're talking about a potential Greg Holland type, but that's a TALL task.
Posts: 21,097

05-25-2016, 10:36 AM	#1156
kcfanXIII Ride on! Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Galaxy far far away Casino cash: $10013172	I had no idea a Royalsplanet existed. I visit, and you can imagine my disappointment when its nothing but Hootie talking to himself regarding threads on CP... __________________ Faster, faster, until the thrill of speed, overcomes the fear of death.
Posts: 5,470

05-25-2016, 10:45 AM	#1157
suzzer99 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: L.A. Casino cash: $2944284	That's hilarious and sad
Posts: 27,269

05-25-2016, 11:03 AM	#1160
Mama Hip Rockets You don't faze me, Gobble. Join Date: Dec 2005 Casino cash: $10005644	Royals are saying on Twitter that they are targeting a 12:30 start time.
Posts: 13,675

05-25-2016, 11:10 AM	#1161
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $3421616	The Royals have apparently traded OF Jose Alberto Martinez to the Cardinals for cash considerations. Just got a notification on my MLB At Bat on my phone, so no link.
Posts: 100,694

05-25-2016, 11:26 AM	#1165
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $3421616	Jesus, 6-6 and 210 pounds. That kid is a bean pole, lol. Making room for Bubba in Omaha?
Posts: 100,694

05-26-2016, 12:15 AM	#1168
CoMoChief Mahomes Dynasty Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $8052254	ummm....wtf ??? __________________
Posts: 39,156

05-26-2016, 09:39 AM	#1169
Prison Bitch Rabbi Goldmann Join Date: Nov 2012 Casino cash: $5450159	It's rather amazing how the # of board fights has plummeted without Hootie around any longer.
Posts: 87,025