*** 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.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

Yeah basically this


Just like 16 colored Wade a bit with his troubles, he dropped from a gawd to just really good


Matt Strahm is going to be godlike this year. Just like 2016. He gets 65 IP in high leverage if I'm managing. (Which as you know I'm not)

I think you're totally right on Strahm. I think he can be absolutely dominant out of the pen.

I hope that the loss of Ventura doesn't push him into the rotation though. I don't think he's ready for that.

[Prison Bitch]

I sorta wanted YV in the pen after last year but now Strahm has to stay in the pen. He is a K machine. His splits weren't that crazy but i still think long term he murders LH.

I'll go crazy again, since I've gone crazy all offseason: Strahm has a lotta Chris Sale in him. (Go ahead, let me have it)

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

Perhaps my memory is failing me, but Holland seemed to work into trouble a little more than I would want my closer to do. I don't recall if it was hits, walks, or a combination of the two, but he always seemed to be anything but an automatic inning.

It's after he got hurt you are thinking of. He tried to play through the injury where he was bad but in 14 he was unholy.

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Yeah.

I have a Yankee fan at work who thought I was crazy for saying the Yankees back end wouldn't be as effective as HDH in 2014.

Then he looked up their stats. And shut up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

LOL what gets people is in 14 if they were getting shelled they'd put a schlub and they'd get crushed but if it was tight HDH would come in and embarrass fools. God it was fun to watch.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

I sorta wanted YV in the pen after last year but now Strahm has to stay in the pen. He is a K machine. His splits weren't that crazy but i still think long term he murders LH.

I'll go crazy again, since I've gone crazy all offseason: Strahm has a lotta Chris Sale in him. (Go ahead, let me have it)

I understand the Sale comparisons. He's got similar cross-fire mechanics, is also tall and lanky, and also has a big, slow slurve that has great two plane movement.

Strahm has to stay in the pen unless Glass green lights enough payroll to shore up the bullpen with Hochevar.

If they reinforce the pen a bit, Strahm instead of Young as the no 5 starter offers a. If potential upgrade.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Chiefspants]

I'm thinking to be successful this season, we're going to have to strike some near golden luck.

Fortunately, when you have solid pieces on your roster, golden luck doesn't mean 2003, it means that if your team catches 2 or 3 lucky breaks, you're in World Series contention. Almost every team needs these kinds of breaks in order to win the title.

We definitely had that good fortune in 2014. We hoped that a rookie pitcher could come in and match Ervin Santana's contributions in 2013. Yordano did that and then pitched like a ace throughout the playoffs. RIP, Ace.

Due to Hoch's injury, we also fell ass backwards into the best single season performance for a reliever in MLB history. Best of luck in Chicago, Wade!

Danny Duffy and Kelvin Herrera also suddenly found themselves and gave us near dominant numbers (some BABIP help notwithstanding) which helped carry us through injuries to Hosmer, and through awful stretches by both Moose and Billy.

2015 ended up with just as many lucky breaks. Big Ken crashed into the Royals and not only filled Billy's presence, but won the Silver Slugger after bombing in 2014. Edinson Volquez, despite every advanced website predicting regression, came in and matched Shields production in 2014, and Chris Young, a person who no one wanted, was the most reliable starter in our rotation through the early summer and was pivotal in our playoff run. While Holland didn't end up replicating his 2014 production and ended up tearing his UCL, Luke Hochevar, and Ryan freaking Madson bounced back from injuries and combined with Danny Duffy to give us even more postseason bullpen depth than we had in 2014.

Sure, 2016 evened our luck out in a hard way, but if we get the good in season luck we did in 2014 or 2015 (ie, staying relatively injury free, having Gordo and Soria bouncing back, signing a productive DH, and getting good performances from a starter like Strahm or Staumont), we have the tools to make one last ride.

[BlackHelicopters]

I find little to be optimistic about.

[Lex Luthor]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

I understand the Sale comparisons. He's got similar cross-fire mechanics, is also tall and lanky, and also has a big, slow slurve that has great two plane movement.

Strahm has to stay in the pen unless Glass green lights enough payroll to shore up the bullpen with Hochevar.

If they reinforce the pen a bit, Strahm instead of Young as the no 5 starter offers a. If potential upgrade.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I really like the idea of signing Hochevar for the bullpen and giving Strahm a chance to win a job in the starting rotation. They could both fail, but more importantly, they could both succeed. If they do, the rotation wouldn't be half bad despite the devastating loss of Ventura.

Or, you could sign Hochevar, keep Strahm in the bullpen, have a pretty nice HSH combo for the late innings. (Ned, if you are reading this, HSH only works if the S is for Strahm, NOT Soria!)

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Chiefspants

I'm thinking to be successful this season, we're going to have to strike some near golden luck.



Fortunately, when you have solid pieces on your roster, golden luck doesn't mean 2003, it means that if your team catches 2 or 3 lucky breaks, you're in World Series contention. Almost every team needs these kinds of breaks in order to win the title.



We definitely had that good fortune in 2014. We hoped that a rookie pitcher could come in and match Ervin Santana's contributions in 2013. Yordano did that and then pitched like a ace throughout the playoffs. RIP, Ace.



Due to Hoch's injury, we also fell ass backwards into the best single season performance for a reliever in MLB history. Best of luck in Chicago, Wade!



Danny Duffy and Kelvin Herrera also suddenly found themselves and gave us near dominant numbers (some BABIP help notwithstanding) which helped carry us through injuries to Hosmer, and through awful stretches by both Moose and Billy.



2015 ended up with just as many lucky breaks. Big Ken crashed into the Royals and not only replicated Billy's presence, but won the Silver Slugger after bombing in 2014. Edinson Volquez, despite every advanced website predicting regression, came in and replicated Shields production in 2014, and Chris Young, a person who no one wanted, was the most reliable starter in our rotation through the early summer and was pivotal in our playoff run. While Holland didn't end up replicating his 2014 production and ended up tearing his UCL, Luke Hochevar, and Ryan freaking Madson bounced back from injuries and combined with Danny Duffy to give us even more postseason bullpen depth than we had in 2014.



Sure, 2016 evened our luck out in a hard way, but if we get the good in season luck we did in 2014 or 2015 (ie, Gordo and Soria bouncing back, signing a productive DH, and getting good performances from a starter like Strahm or Staumont), we have the tools to make one last ride after our 14 and 15 seasons.

Along these lines, I'll talk about what needs to go right for the Royals to contend in 2017:

1) SP health. Duffy, Kennedy, Vargas and Karns must stay healthy and put up 750-800 innings combined. An injury to one of these guys could be crippling.

2) The offense must get peak contributions from three guys from this group: Hosmer, Moustakas, Cain, Gordon, Soler and the other two need to be at least average producers.

3) Get a breakout performance somewhere. Whether that's a rotation piece emerging (Strahm, Zimmer, Staumont, Jake Junis, Alex Mills, Chris Young), or a hitter emerging (Cuthbert, Dozier, Mondesi) or a bullpen piece emerging (Withrow, minor leaguer, etc). Just something.

Those three things probably matter most.

Supplementing the roster with at least one of (and preferably both) a DH and a reliever would also be a big boon.


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[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Along these lines, I'll talk about what needs to go right for the Royals to contend in 2017:

1) SP health. Duffy, Kennedy, Vargas and Karns must stay healthy and put up 750-800 innings combined. An injury to one of these guys could be crippling.


3) Get a breakout performance somewhere. Whether that's a rotation piece emerging (Strahm, Zimmer, Staumont, Jake Junis, Alex Mills, Chris Young), or a hitter emerging (Cuthbert, Dozier, Mondesi) or a bullpen piece emerging (Withrow, minor leaguer, etc). Just something.

Supplementing the roster with at least one of (and preferably both) a DH and a reliever would also be a big boon.

There will be an injury to one of those guys; that's just baseball. If you figure on needing 7 starting pitchers over the course of a season, you're probably still going to come up a pitcher short.

That's where the breakout performance comes in. Every championship team needs an out of nowhere performance from somebody. Last season's obvious example was Kyle Hendricks. The Royals, if they win a championship, will have one of those (and probably a couple).

I know where you can find a DH and can save on moving costs. Just a nice little U-Haul trek down I-70...

[Fansy the Famous Bard]

Seent this on facebook. Not sure I could handle witnessing this:

[Chiefspants]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

I know where you can find a DH and can save on moving costs. Just a nice little U-Haul trek down I-70...

[Dunit35]

Originally Posted by fahrenheit

Seent this on facebook. Not sure I could handle witnessing this:

That would be a special moment.

[SPchief]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

I know where you can find a DH and can save on moving costs. Just a nice little U-Haul trek down I-70...

Just stop. Lol

[DeepSouth]

Most of you guys will disagree with me but I think if Zimmer is finally healthy, this could be the year he makes it to the starting rotation for the Royals. He only has 222 total innings in the minors but his ERA overall is 3.24. He'll be 26 this year and some say his stuff is the best they've seen. If that's true, I hope he forces their hand and makes it to KC.

[Fansy the Famous Bard]

Originally Posted by DeepSouth

Most of you guys will disagree with me but I think if Zimmer is finally healthy, this could be the year he makes it to the starting rotation for the Royals. He only has 222 total innings in the minors but his ERA overall is 3.24. He'll be 26 this year and some say his stuff is the best they've seen. If that's true, I hope he forces their hand and makes it to KC.

For KC to succeed this season, we'll need a player like Zimmer or Mills to hit. I'm not against giving it a try, cycling these guys through and see which one works. If it doesn't happen then Hos, Moose, Cain, esky and co will all be unloaded before the trade deadline.