Royals *** Official Royals Repository, Part 4 *** - Page 106

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.

kstater · 08-18-2015, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmo20002

Ned doesn't like to shake things up too much.

The Royals are 6 games better than any other team in the league.

okcchief · 08-18-2015, 11:23 AM

I'm good with Zobrist at 2nd to play Orlando, Dyson or even Eibner. If Rios is the other option I'd prefer Infante at second and Zobrist in right. If Ned was thinking about an Orlando/Dyson platoon it seems like he'd already be doing it.

Molitoth · 08-18-2015, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kstater

The Royals are 6 games better than any other team in the league.

Which is a perfect time to experiment with replacing Rios with Orlando/Dyson.

**Saul Good** · 08-18-2015, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okcchief

I'm good with Zobrist at 2nd to play Orlando, Dyson or even Eibner. If Rios is the other option I'd prefer Infante at second and Zobrist in right. If Ned was thinking about an Orlando/Dyson platoon it seems like he'd already be doing it.

Why would you prefer Zobrist to replace Rios instead of a guy who is 0 for his last 100?

okcchief · 08-18-2015, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saul Good

Why would you prefer Zobrist to replace Rios instead of a guy who is 0 for his last 100?

I prefer both of them out. I prefer Infante's glove to Rios' below average defense and not much better bat. I don't give that much of a shit between the 2 anymore to be honest. I want neither in the lineup

Prison Bitch · 08-18-2015, 12:15 PM

We are good but there are some holes obv. In the rotation, Innings Eater (aka 5th Starter) is shaky at times but we did upgrade when Pitch To Contact came back and displaced Crafty Veteran. And of course we picked up an Ace and Veteran Leadership in trade deals. Not sure if Leadership will displace Glove Guy at 2B or not since it might affect "chemistry". Keeping Things Loose will still enjoy the ice bucket dumps with Clubhouse Guy at 3B until Heart & Soul returns off DL

Mr. Arrowhead · 08-18-2015, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhawhaWhat

Yankees and NY football Giants fan. Danny Parkins is a Chicago sports fan, Cubs, Bears, Bulls.

actually Parkins is a Cowboys fan

**Saul Good** · 08-18-2015, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

We are good but there are some holes obv. In the rotation, Innings Eater (aka 5th Starter) is shaky at times but we did upgrade when Pitch To Contact came back and displaced Crafty Veteran. And of course we picked up an Ace and Veteran Leadership in trade deals. Not sure if Leadership will displace Glove Guy at 2B or not since it might affect "chemistry". Keeping Things Loose will still enjoy the ice bucket dumps with Clubhouse Guy at 3B until Heart & Soul returns off DL

It's a shame we traded for Aces don't matter while Surplus Value is wasting away on the bench.

-King- · 08-18-2015, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhawhaWhat

Yankees and NY football Giants fan. Danny Parkins is a Chicago sports fan, Cubs, Bears, Bulls.

Fescoe isn't a Yankees or Giants fan. Parkins isn't a Bears fan.

BWillie · 08-18-2015, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomahawk kid

People still listen to Fescoe?

I'm floored. That idiot used to make me want to stab out my eardrums with an ice pick back when he was on 810.

A fun (potential) drinking game with Fescoe. Take a drink every time he says "The Kansas City Chiefs" or "The Kansas City Royals".

He cannot simply utter "Chiefs" or "Royals" - he ALWAYS has to include "The Kansas City" precursor. Y'know - just to ensure no one's confused that he's referring to THE local sports teams.

I don't know why people hate Fescoe so much. I get he's not the most interesting guy to listen to, but he would be the radio guy I would most like to have a beer with. He doesn't have an elitist attitude that Parkins and Carrington have and doesn't go on crazy rants like Petro.

sedated · 08-18-2015, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie

I don't know why people hate Fescoe so much. I get he's not the most interesting guy to listen to, but he would be the radio guy I would most like to have a beer with. He doesn't have an elitist attitude that Parkins and Carrington have and doesn't go on crazy rants like Petro.

My biggest beef with him, aside from being a complete dork, is that he talks like he is the expert on everything. "Here's what the Chiefs need to do." He's just some guy, when he talks like that its just like having a radio caller keep talking for 3 hours.

The 810 guys seem to get actual experts so they can act as the journalist instead of some random guy spouting opinions, and the other 610 guys seem to talk more about the sporting "event" or the fan experience (and are generally funnier).

**ChiTown** · 08-18-2015, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie

I don't know why people hate Fescoe so much. I get he's not the most interesting guy to listen to, but he would be the radio guy I would most like to have a beer with. He doesn't have an elitist attitude that Parkins and Carrington have and doesn't go on crazy rants like Petro.

He's also a ku douchebag. So, there's that..........

KCUnited · 08-18-2015, 01:23 PM

Fescoe was a Cassel nutgargler until the end as well.

I actually hear his voice every time I read a Re-Run post.

Pitt Gorilla · 08-18-2015, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saul Good

It's a shame we traded for Aces don't matter while Surplus Value is wasting away on the bench.

Lex Luthor · 08-18-2015, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saul Good

It's a shame we traded for Aces don't matter while Surplus Value is wasting away on the bench.

I used to think Westboro Baptist Church was just trolling us with that whole Surplus Value idiocy last year and in the offseason. But after reading his posts this year, I think he was actually serious.

07-14-2015, 11:05 PM
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1740308	* 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: 21,088

08-18-2015, 11:23 AM	#1577
okcchief MVP Join Date: Jul 2008 Casino cash: $9849890	I'm good with Zobrist at 2nd to play Orlando, Dyson or even Eibner. If Rios is the other option I'd prefer Infante at second and Zobrist in right. If Ned was thinking about an Orlando/Dyson platoon it seems like he'd already be doing it.
Posts: 6,703

08-18-2015, 12:15 PM	#1581
Prison Bitch Rabbi Goldmann Join Date: Nov 2012 Casino cash: $5450159	We are good but there are some holes obv. In the rotation, Innings Eater (aka 5th Starter) is shaky at times but we did upgrade when Pitch To Contact came back and displaced Crafty Veteran. And of course we picked up an Ace and Veteran Leadership in trade deals. Not sure if Leadership will displace Glove Guy at 2B or not since it might affect "chemistry". Keeping Things Loose will still enjoy the ice bucket dumps with Clubhouse Guy at 3B until Heart & Soul returns off DL
Posts: 87,025

08-18-2015, 01:23 PM	#1588
KCUnited Cheat Death Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Land of Drincoln Casino cash: $2278244	Fescoe was a Cassel nutgargler until the end as well. I actually hear his voice every time I read a Re-Run post.
Posts: 33,925