Royals *** Official Royals Repository, Part 3 *** - Page 69

duncan_idaho · 07-14-2015, 11:05 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. Sean Manaea, LHP: I still believe in the upside here, even with the abbreviated start. 6-5 lefties with his combination of stuff and deception have the ability to pitch at the front of a rotation for a long time.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Cody Reed, LHP: Reed has popped up this year, forcing an early promotion to Northwest Arkansas. His stuff is legit, with mid-90s heat and a wipeout slider. Control still needs work, but a promising young arm (that makes Almonte much more tradeable)
6. John Lamb, LHP: Lamb has had a career resurgence in 2015, putting him back on the prospect map. He’s dominating at AAA and will be in the rotation mix in 2016, unless he suffers another setback. Fastball is back, changeup is improving, still working on the ability to throw the slider and curve for strikes when down in the count.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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!

11. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. 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.
20. 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.

WhawhaWhat · 07-24-2015, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Why Not?

The problem with counting on Medlen as a starter is that I'm not sure how many folks have been decent starters after 2, not 1 but 2, TJ's. Currently I want to say it's only Chris Capuano who has hardly been Ron Guidry. I know Daniel Hudson had 2 and he was a pretty up and coming pitcher, but 2 years later he's still a middle relief guy

Did Gil Meche have 2 TJ surgeries? He had a lot of surgeries so I may get them mixed up.

Silock · 07-24-2015, 07:27 AM

I want Cueto more than anything.

We saw what a dominant pitcher could do last year in the World Series. Get one of those, and we have a REALLY good shot.

**Anyong Bluth** · 07-24-2015, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

Would love Shields but can't justify the salaries he's due.

San Diego would have to eat part of his salary, and the talk has been they would at the very least be picking up a quarter of his contract.

The good and bad of it is that as of right now there's been almost zero word of any teams even sniffing around to scout his starts and kick the tires. San Diego also seems to really want to blow it all up and start fresh. You could maybe squeeze them to take on a greater % of his salary, but I think that tips the scale in terms of what talent you give up in exchange.

He's, what, 33? He still has 3 years left on his contract, so there's not going to be many teams jumping at the chance to acquire him. Yankees or Red Sox simply because they are working with a lot more payroll.

I omit the Dodgers, but only because I think they are more interested in putting that money in trying to keep Greinke around, and they are loaded in their farm system. If they going to acquire anyone with a number of years still under contract it would be Hammels. 2 birds one stone as he's an immediate upgrade for this year, and some insurance if Zach walks.

So, is James going to be worth anything over the life of his contract when he's pitched a ton and been a workhorse? By then 35-36. If the Padres cover 1/3 of the money he's due, you're looking at about $12 million per. Plus, whatever you have to give up in talent.

Chief_For_Life58 · 07-24-2015, 08:14 AM

trade hosmer to the mets for one of their young pitchers?

**Anyong Bluth** · 07-24-2015, 08:17 AM

Looking at the numbers side by side, I'd say the market for Cueto has been fairly set in expected compensation unless teams get in a bidding war and the price goes up as 1 of the top 3 guys is off the table.

I think the main competition is going to be Toronto. I think the Dodgers are focused on Hammels, but if not they have so much farm talent no one can outbid them.

I know he's only a rental, but all things being equal I would bet the Cubs or Cards are at the bottom of the Red's list for trade partners.

Hootie · 07-24-2015, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief_For_Life58

trade hosmer to the mets for one of their young pitchers?

Not only would the Mets not do that, but ... What? No way. Hosmer is a huge clubhouse guy. We're not trying to decimate the team here

**BigMeatballDave** · 07-24-2015, 08:37 AM

Today is the 32nd anniversary of George Brett's Pine Tar HR.

**BigMeatballDave** · 07-24-2015, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief_For_Life58

trade hosmer to the mets for one of their young pitchers?

That's just crazy.

**BigMeatballDave** · 07-24-2015, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raiderhader

Does anyone else notice anything unusual about this post?

LOL You mean other than the proper grammar?

**RockChalk** · 07-24-2015, 09:40 AM

Why a legitimately good team like the Royals would ever waste a roster spot is beyond me. And that is exactly what Dusty Coleman is. He isn't even average at one skill set. It pisses me off that he was even an option for us last night.

Hootie · 07-24-2015, 09:43 AM

but it's 1 game in an NL park ... it was just dumb ****ing luck we had to turn to Dusty Coleman ...

BUT EVEN THEN, we had runners at 2nd and 3rd with the top of our order and Esky couldn't get it done, either

Esky has been remarkable in those spots this year (mainly with 2 outs) but he's just not the guy I want up at the plate in that situation, either.

I really hope Ned puts Gordon at lead off when Gordon gets back (if). Esky is a perfect #9 hitter with his speed if his ego allows it. You put Gordon at leadoff in that situation and he's either going to walk, or score that run. If he walks, Moose is another guy who is great in sac fly situations. So is Cain.

Love esky, he's just not the leadoff of this team when Gordon gets back.

Hootie · 07-24-2015, 09:44 AM

our ideal lineup assuming no additions

Gordon
Moose
Cain
Hosmer
Morales
Rios
Perez
Infante
Esky

Pitt Gorilla · 07-24-2015, 09:46 AM

I wouldn't want to give up Mondesi for a rental.

KChiefs1 · 07-24-2015, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hootie 2.0

but it's 1 game in an NL park ... it was just dumb ****ing luck we had to turn to Dusty Coleman ...

BUT EVEN THEN, we had runners at 2nd and 3rd with the top of our order and Esky couldn't get it done, either

Esky has been remarkable in those spots this year (mainly with 2 outs) but he's just not the guy I want up at the plate in that situation, either.

I really hope Ned puts Gordon at lead off when Gordon gets back (if). Esky is a perfect #9 hitter with his speed if his ego allows it. You put Gordon at leadoff in that situation and he's either going to walk, or score that run. If he walks, Moose is another guy who is great in sac fly situations. So is Cain.

Love esky, he's just not the leadoff of this team when Gordon gets back.

Ned isn't putting Gordon at leadoff.

Hootie · 07-24-2015, 09:47 AM

Rios since July 1st has a .910 OPS with only 7 K's and 4 SB's

as hard as I was on the guy, we aren't going to be upgrading the OF

we need a utility guy like Prado, a veteran, if possible. Not really a necessity, but would be nice.

Mostly, we need starting pitching. I'll go for JUST Cueto or 2 of Latos/Leake/Gallardo. When September comes around, if Fuenmayor is still raping he can be our Willingham and I assume Gore will be back.

07-14-2015, 11:05 PM
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1530308	* Official Royals Repository, Part 3 * 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. Sean Manaea, LHP: I still believe in the upside here, even with the abbreviated start. 6-5 lefties with his combination of stuff and deception have the ability to pitch at the front of a rotation for a long time. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. Cody Reed, LHP: Reed has popped up this year, forcing an early promotion to Northwest Arkansas. His stuff is legit, with mid-90s heat and a wipeout slider. Control still needs work, but a promising young arm (that makes Almonte much more tradeable) 6. John Lamb, LHP: Lamb has had a career resurgence in 2015, putting him back on the prospect map. He’s dominating at AAA and will be in the rotation mix in 2016, unless he suffers another setback. Fastball is back, changeup is improving, still working on the ability to throw the slider and curve for strikes when down in the count. 7. 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. 8. 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. 9. 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. 10. 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! 11. 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. 12. 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. 13. 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. 14. 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. 15. 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. 16. 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. 17. 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. 18. 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. 19. 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. 20. 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.
Posts: 21,145

07-24-2015, 07:27 AM	#1022
Silock MVP Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $10020882	I want Cueto more than anything. We saw what a dominant pitcher could do last year in the World Series. Get one of those, and we have a REALLY good shot.
Posts: 19,908

07-24-2015, 08:14 AM	#1024
Chief_For_Life58 Veteran Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: KC Casino cash: $9925938	trade hosmer to the mets for one of their young pitchers?
Posts: 3,859

07-24-2015, 08:17 AM	#1025
Anyong Bluth Deus ambulans inter homines Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chicago Casino cash: $9649340	Looking at the numbers side by side, I'd say the market for Cueto has been fairly set in expected compensation unless teams get in a bidding war and the price goes up as 1 of the top 3 guys is off the table. I think the main competition is going to be Toronto. I think the Dodgers are focused on Hammels, but if not they have so much farm talent no one can outbid them. I know he's only a rental, but all things being equal I would bet the Cubs or Cards are at the bottom of the Red's list for trade partners. __________________ Suck it, *beautiful*
Posts: 14,918

07-24-2015, 08:37 AM	#1027
BigMeatballDave GBM 8-12-15 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Dayton, Oh. Casino cash: $10052154	Today is the 32nd anniversary of George Brett's Pine Tar HR.
Posts: 59,997

07-24-2015, 09:40 AM	#1030
RockChalk Dirty Bit Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Lake of the Woods Casino cash: $3690002	Why a legitimately good team like the Royals would ever waste a roster spot is beyond me. And that is exactly what Dusty Coleman is. He isn't even average at one skill set. It pisses me off that he was even an option for us last night. __________________
Posts: 6,754

07-24-2015, 09:43 AM	#1031
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	but it's 1 game in an NL park ... it was just dumb ****ing luck we had to turn to Dusty Coleman ... BUT EVEN THEN, we had runners at 2nd and 3rd with the top of our order and Esky couldn't get it done, either Esky has been remarkable in those spots this year (mainly with 2 outs) but he's just not the guy I want up at the plate in that situation, either. I really hope Ned puts Gordon at lead off when Gordon gets back (if). Esky is a perfect #9 hitter with his speed if his ego allows it. You put Gordon at leadoff in that situation and he's either going to walk, or score that run. If he walks, Moose is another guy who is great in sac fly situations. So is Cain. Love esky, he's just not the leadoff of this team when Gordon gets back.
Posts: 56,356

07-24-2015, 09:44 AM	#1032
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	our ideal lineup assuming no additions Gordon Moose Cain Hosmer Morales Rios Perez Infante Esky
Posts: 56,356

07-24-2015, 09:46 AM	#1033
Pitt Gorilla Banned! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: NOT Columbia, MO 65201 Casino cash: $2760194	I wouldn't want to give up Mondesi for a rental. __________________ Your son is a bench warmer because of your weak genetics not because of the coach Norlin Mommsen is disgusting.
Posts: 46,130

07-24-2015, 09:47 AM	#1035
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	Rios since July 1st has a .910 OPS with only 7 K's and 4 SB's as hard as I was on the guy, we aren't going to be upgrading the OF we need a utility guy like Prado, a veteran, if possible. Not really a necessity, but would be nice. Mostly, we need starting pitching. I'll go for JUST Cueto or 2 of Latos/Leake/Gallardo. When September comes around, if Fuenmayor is still raping he can be our Willingham and I assume Gore will be back.
Posts: 56,356