Royals *** Official Royals Repository, Part 4 *** - Page 57

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 · 08-07-2015, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hootie 2.0

Madson is the same guy ... he's still throwing 95 and he still has a nasty changeup. He has just been roughed up a few times in a row. I'm not ready to give up on the #4 guy on our bullpen depth chart because of a few rough outings.

Are you ready to replace him with Hoch as our #4?

Also, Morales has been very good lately everywhere but Toronto. He started a little shaky, but he has been good.

Hootie · 08-07-2015, 10:13 AM

Morales has been very good.

Really, at this point, behind HDH I don't really care if Ned puts in Hoch, Madson or Morales. I still prefer Madson because his changeup is THAT good. But I don't think it really matters. Do I think Morales should ever pitch against Josh Donaldson in a meaningful game? Hell ****ing no.

WilliamTheIrish · 08-07-2015, 10:23 AM

We just want to wear new swag so we can walk into and ask "What channel is the game on"?

siberian khatru · 08-07-2015, 10:37 AM

Interesting piece: One adjustment could turn Yordano Ventura into an ace

Quote:

To remedy the situation, Ventura would benefit from synchronizing the timing in his delivery (beginning with the start of leg lift) from the windup and stretch. Instead of having to master the muscle memory and timing of three different motions (slidestep, modified lift, and full lift from the windup), Ventura would benefit from consistency of timing in his delivery from stretch and windup. I believe he should abandon the slidestep completely and then use the same leg lift and timing in the stretch that he uses in the windup. Sure, this will make him slower to the plate, but if it means that he can reach the level of effectiveness that he has from the windup it will be well worth the few extra stolen bases. When hitters are slugging .570 against Ventura out of the stretch, this issue ought to be addressed first and prioritized over controlling the running game.

Sure-Oz · 08-07-2015, 10:42 AM

Rios hits soft everything. The guy is done. I expect him to be benched whwb Gordon comes back.

BWillie · 08-07-2015, 10:58 AM

Brett Eibner anyone? He's dramatically reduced his K rate, and he's in AAA hitting .307, .911 OPS, with 17 homers in 300 at bats. I mean, why not? Hard for him to be worse than Rios, and he would supposedly be a better defender.

**Dartgod** · 08-07-2015, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie

Brett Eibner anyone? He's dramatically reduced his K rate, and he's in AAA hitting .307, .911 OPS, with 17 homers in 300 at bats. I mean, why not? Hard for him to be worse than Rios, and he would supposedly be a better defender.

I think it's been suggested before, but he is not on the 40 man roster.

Of course, they could make room for him.

siberian khatru · 08-07-2015, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dartgod

I think it's been suggested before, but he is not on the 40 man roster.

That's easily fixed. Move Vargas to the 60-day DL.

**ChiTown** · 08-07-2015, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dartgod

I think it's been suggested before, but he is not on the 40 man roster.

Of course, they could make room for him.

To make room for another OF'r, they would most likely have to DFA Rios. If he tanks over the next 2-3 weeks, it's a possibility.

KevB · 08-07-2015, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie

Brett Eibner anyone? He's dramatically reduced his K rate, and he's in AAA hitting .307, .911 OPS, with 17 homers in 300 at bats. I mean, why not? Hard for him to be worse than Rios, and he would supposedly be a better defender.

It's been discussed, I brought it up a week or two ago. The problem is that he's not on the 40 man roster. You could dump Dusty Coleman from the 40 man and replace with Eibner, but you still also may need to find spots for Almonte, Zimmer or Bubba if you want them to get a taste in September.

KChiefs1 · 08-07-2015, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie

Brett Eibner anyone? He's dramatically reduced his K rate, and he's in AAA hitting .307, .911 OPS, with 17 homers in 300 at bats. I mean, why not? Hard for him to be worse than Rios, and he would supposedly be a better defender.

I'm all for it. I've always been a fan of his.

**Reaper16** · 08-07-2015, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siberian khatru

Interesting piece: One adjustment could turn Yordano Ventura into an ace

I came in here to post the same article. Super interesting.

But I seem to remember a similar discussion happening with Luke Hochevar.

KChiefs1 · 08-07-2015, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siberian khatru

Interesting piece: One adjustment could turn Yordano Ventura into an ace

I still send him down to Omaha.

**lewdog** · 08-07-2015, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

I still send him down to Omaha.

And replace him with?

KChiefs1 · 08-07-2015, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewdog

And replace him with?

Pino

07-14-2015, 11:05 PM
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1560308	* 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: 21,144

08-07-2015, 10:13 AM	#842
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	Morales has been very good. Really, at this point, behind HDH I don't really care if Ned puts in Hoch, Madson or Morales. I still prefer Madson because his changeup is THAT good. But I don't think it really matters. Do I think Morales should ever pitch against Josh Donaldson in a meaningful game? Hell ****ing no.
Posts: 56,356

08-07-2015, 10:23 AM	#843
WilliamTheIrish Champion Golfer Of The Year Join Date: Aug 2001 Casino cash: $5890607	We just want to wear new swag so we can walk into and ask "What channel is the game on"?
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08-07-2015, 10:58 AM	#846
BWillie Future NBA Finals MVP Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Earth Casino cash: $2241241	Brett Eibner anyone? He's dramatically reduced his K rate, and he's in AAA hitting .307, .911 OPS, with 17 homers in 300 at bats. I mean, why not? Hard for him to be worse than Rios, and he would supposedly be a better defender. __________________ Who wants free money? Use the link below to sign up at Bovada, BetOnline, Black Chip Poker and Ignition. Contact me for private deals, spot bonuses, possible rakeback or any questions! Bovada, Ignition, BetOnline, Black Chip Poker: baldeaglepoker.com Bovada Poker is back! Get up to $500 poker deposit bonus.
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