*** 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.

[Prison Bitch]

Originally Posted by Ebolapox

Total guess...

Slider
Changeup
Cutter
Fastball
Curveball

You are extremely close in your rank.


Slider is by far the most valuable pitch.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

You are extremely close in your rank.


Slider is by far the most valuable pitch.

Yup.

Pitch values always heavily favor breaking balls, especially the slider. Its why every year you see so many articles talking about second half improvements from pitchers that 'changed their pitch mix' and leaned heavily on the slider.

It's an outstanding short-term fix for a rocky season. But hitters will adjust to it and unless your slider truly is a monster, they'll start to sit on it.

A well thrown slider is the hardest pitch in baseball to hit. A hung one is probably the easiest. But the fastball still makes it all work. So even though pitch value tables don't give it due credit, the fastball is still the moneymaker in MLB.

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

The Royals probably threw a 'local boy' draft pick at a kid named Kameron Misner out of Poplar Bluff in the 33rd round last year. He elected to pass and is playing at Mizzou instead.

I tell you, the bomb he hit into the wind on Sunday was a sight to behold. He absolutely crushed the damn thing into RF. Big kid with a bit of a long stroke but really pretty swing mechanics. The ball jumps off his bat.

I'm not sure he's any sort of real prospect; not terribly 'twitchy' from what I can see and I don't expect he'll play anything more than adequate defense in the OF, but he's going to be a fun college player, IMO. Nice, sound swing that generates a hell of a lot more power than I'd expected. Too many holes in it, but when he connects, it goes a loooooong way.

Unlikely to be a real 'miss' for the Royals but I'm glad we have him here in Columbia.

Speaking of, I wonder if Marquise Doherty would have done it all over again if given the chance (Royals to him in the 15th round in '14, I believe)......

[cosmo20002]

Originally Posted by Bowser

Good.

Listening to Keitzman and Danny go on about how sloppy and out of shape Moose looks makes me want to root for him that much harder just to shove it in Keitzman's face.

He always looks like that.
His hitting hasn't been to good so far though...1 for 16, 1 walk. It's early though.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by Bowser

Speaking of, I wonder if Marquise Doherty would have done it all over again if given the chance (Royals to him in the 15th round in '14, I believe)......

Nah.

15th round pick isn't gonna get a huge offer. Usually the 'bonus baby' slots are at 11 and 12 in the new slotted system. Guys that fall into the mid-teens are sometimes taken for insurance purposes (in case they can't get one of those 11 or 12 round guys to take their money and they don't want to just lose it), but oftentimes it's just a flier for one of those cases where a kid really didn't want to go to college afterall.

I suspect he got a $50Kish offer but that's not enough to forego a chance to make yourself a premier prospect.

[Prison Bitch]

Pitch values as runs saved per 100 pitches thrown (all pitches basically net out to neutral in aggregate)


1. Slider 631
2. Cutter 66
3. Curve 26
4. Change -7
5. Fastball -708

__________________\

Now, if FB are all hitters can hit, and all they can hit for power, why throw them? Because it's awfully hard to stand 60' away from hitting something sized like a windbreaker in front of 30K people.


Also, FB sets up everything.

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Nah.

15th round pick isn't gonna get a huge offer. Usually the 'bonus baby' slots are at 11 and 12 in the new slotted system. Guys that fall into the mid-teens are sometimes taken for insurance purposes (in case they can't get one of those 11 or 12 round guys to take their money and they don't want to just lose it), but oftentimes it's just a flier for one of those cases where a kid really didn't want to go to college afterall.

I suspect he got a $50Kish offer but that's not enough to forego a chance to make yourself a premier prospect.

True, he wouldn't have gotten life changing money, and I'm sure that was a big part of his decision not to sign. I asked that just thinking of how shit flamed out for him at Mizzou more than anything else...

[cosmo20002]

Moose with a dong in the 1st inning.

Gordon in RF again. Wonder if that is going to be his place this season.
Ned said to expect this, but why run all these guys through reps at LF if that isn't going to be the 'rotation' position this year?

[DeepSouth]

Originally Posted by cosmo20002

Moose with a dong in the 1st inning.

Gordon in RF again. Wonder if that is going to be his place this season.
Ned said to expect this, but why run all these guys through reps at LF if that isn't going to be the 'rotation' position this year?

They won't have to worry about him running into Moose if he's in RF.

[cosmo20002]

Originally Posted by Bowser

Good.

Listening to Keitzman and Danny go on about how sloppy and out of shape Moose looks makes me want to root for him that much harder just to shove it in Keitzman's face.

They were going on and on about this this afternoon--they were really unloading on him for being fat and out of shape. I guess I haven't really noticed in the short clips I've seen of him, but they were really brutal on him.

[C3HIEF3S]

#Royals reassign Kyle Zimmer, Josh Staumont, Luke Ferrell, Dziedzic, Skoglund, Vallot, Fernandez, Toups, Escalera to Minor League camp.

— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) March 8, 2017

[Sure-Oz]

Originally Posted by C3HIEF3S

#Royals reassign Kyle Zimmer, Josh Staumont, Luke Ferrell, Dziedzic, Skoglund, Vallot, Fernandez, Toups, Escalera to Minor League camp.

— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) March 8, 2017

@FlannyMLB: Regarding Zimmer and Staumont reassignments, Ned Yost said it was just a matter of finding them innings and keeping them pitching

[Prison Bitch]

Soria velocity: 94.8


Career high 92.4 (last year no less)


Dudes become a flamethrower

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

Soria velocity: 94.8


Career high 92.4 (last year no less)


Dudes become a flamethrower

Wanna bet he's dragging his arm?

Gonna let his mechanics fall to hell and let it all hang out for one hurrah before his arm explodes. Anybody that just adds a couple MPH of velocity in a single off-season has almost certainly taken to scapula loading to find extra velocity and they will most-definitely break down in short order.

That or it's just a hot gun. If I'm a Royals fan and know we have another $9 million to pay the guy after this season, I think I'd just hope that he learns to get by at 92 because Soria at 95 means he's red-lining it and it won't end well for him.

[Prison Bitch]

Nah, not a hot gun don't think. Jeff Zimmerman's report had 70 readings and they net fairly close to 0 (vis a vis their last known velo). Some are down, Greinke Lester Harvey iwakuma, but that's prob expected. Younger guys up.


Soria had 2 readings: 94.4 (3/2) and 94.8 (2/27). That's Wade Davis (94.9) velo. Crazy. Somethings up