*** 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.

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

Soler is awful.

Every game I watch of him, depresses me more...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It's a shame because of all the talent he has.

After watching him with the Cubs I just got the feeling he didn't really care. He seemed like the type of player that made it through because of his natural talent, but now that he's playing with people just as talented as he is he looks bad because I honestly believe he doesn't care to put in any effort. I can't recall the last time I saw him go 100% after a flyball or show any emotion after swinging at a slider 3 feet off the plate.

It still pisses me off that the Cubs didn't immediately trade him after the 2015 playoffs, especially after they signed Heyward.

[Sure-Oz]

@rustindodd: Nathan Karns will be the Royals' fifth starter.

@FlannyMLB: Chris Young and Travis Wood move to the bullpen

[Unsmooth-Moment]

That's who they wanted in the rotation, so no surprise there. If we can limit Young's innings hopefully he can be a positive piece in the bullpen.

[KCUnited]

Hammel with 5 scoreless so far today.

[Unsmooth-Moment]

Strahm got lit up today. Giving up 6 runs and recording 1 out.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

[lewdog]

I don't see anyway that Soler starts the year in the minors. He will be give a chance to start the year IMO and the Royals will adjust accordingly based on how he plays.

Hopefully this won't be a Ned loyalty situation though and they let him play 2 straight months of God awful baseball before making changes.

[KChiefs1]

Does he have any chance?



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[nychief]

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

Does he have any chance?



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

Does he have any chance?



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No. Not to start the year at least.


Unless you're playing MLB the Show on Playstation and you think spring training matters a lot. Then you start him every ****ing day.

[DeepSouth]

Royals release Jonathan Sanchez;

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb...139762653.html

The Royals made another round of roster cuts Monday evening, reassigning five players to minor-league camp and releasing left-handed pitcher Jonathan Sanchez.

Among the players sent to minor-league camp: first baseman Ryan O’Hearn, who homered in the club’s 10-6 loss to the Reds on Monday at Surprise Stadium.

[Jerok]

I keep getting Peter o brien and Ryan o Hearn confused. I still think they're the same guy

[Prison Bitch]

Soler to the minors>? That would mean DM would have to admit he gave away Wade for free. Not happening

[C3HIEF3S]

If Soler is still struggling like this in May then I will begin to be concerned. If worst comes to worst, we know Paulo can hold down RF for a stretch. He's grown on me over time. In the long run, though, we need Soler's power in the lineup to compete with the current style of wack-a-ball baseball. Paulo just doesn't offer that to contribute heavily down the stretch.

My opinion on Mondesi is that I would like to see him start the year getting everyday AB's in KC. Wouldn't be the end of the world though to get him everyday AB's in Omaha until mid-May where we get the extra year of service time. As long as he's getting everyday AB's, he's going to be up to KC at some point this year regardless. The success of the 2017 Royals doesn't rest on Mondesi's (or whoever is at second) shoulders. We know what Colon is, despite what he's doing in Surprise right now. I think this just buys him more time as a bench piece because frankly he is one of the most expendable players we have right now on the field. He has never been a plus with his bat and his defense is a marginal benefit at best.

I agree with Duncan in that I think Whit is the man for the utility role this year. Can play corner outfield positions, plus second and third, all while avoiding overexposure of his bat? Sign me up.

This is going to be the most interesting years in Royals history. We're going to see a loooot of players get their cup of coffee in KC this year.

Also, unrelated, but did anyone see that 7'1 pitcher for the Dutch last night? Hoo boy that was awesome.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

Soler to the minors>? That would mean DM would have to admit he gave away Wade for free. Not happening

Again, I know it's one spring training, but the guy honestly looks like an NL pitcher at the plate right now. He looks completely clueless.

What's the highest BA he's managed in his brief career this far? .230 some? It's not like he's had large stretches of success that we should be expecting.

[nychief]

I think it would be foolhardy to look at spring stats... they are useless. Soler might be a bust - but we certainly don't know from exhibition baseball.