*** 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.

[C3HIEF3S]

Originally Posted by Romosexual

I have no doubt in my mind that the balls were juiced to some extent last year ... it makes sense, baseball isn't growing among the younger generation who are all migrating towards soccer ... so they needed to get more long balls into the game. Which really sucks for the Royals, and really sucks for our pitching staff.

I am usually pretty optimistic but right now I have KC as a .500 squad ... and that's probably more optimistic than anything. Not enough power pitching to negate the obvious juiced baseball.

I definitely agree in regards to our pitchers. However, on the contrary, I think GMDM did a good job at adjusting our offense for the power trend for the upcoming season.

Moss, (maybe) Soler, Moose, Hos, Gordo, and Salvy all have the ability to hit 20+ bombs. I think this is going to be KC's best HR-hitting team in quite some time. Though, I doubt they'll ever admit it.

[Hootie]

No doubt. I know this team will still have heart ... but, at some point, we're like the only team that hasn't developed any sort of young stud starting pitcher. Duffy looked to be a legit Ace for much of last year ... but what in the world? How are we so bad at developing starters in the Minor Leagues? I mean, even Ace was a cyborg reliever trying to cut it as a starter and his command was just awful the past two years.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by Romosexual

I have no doubt in my mind that the balls were juiced to some extent last year ... it makes sense, baseball isn't growing among the younger generation who are all migrating towards soccer ... so they needed to get more long balls into the game. Which really sucks for the Royals, and really sucks for our pitching staff.

I am usually pretty optimistic but right now I have KC as a .500 squad ... and that's probably more optimistic than anything. Not enough power pitching to negate the obvious juiced baseball.

The younger generation has been 'migrating towards soccer' since I was 6 years old.

30 years later soccer is still no threat at all to the big 4 sports and it never will be.

Now basketball, OTOH, is gaining fast. Sports that require less space and less organization to play are going to become more and more popular in the coming years as population densities in urban areas continue to increase and we see more flight from rural neighborhoods (though suburbs will get some of it). That's gonna be a BIG problem for baseball.

[Hootie]

I like baseball just the way it is. They need to put a DH in the NL, but that's the only thing I'd change. I don't need to see baseballs being juiced so that we go back to a long ball or nothing sport. Was last year the most HR's ever hit in a year? Or 2nd most? With steroids and HGH being way down across the board (presumably), the only answer is the balls were juiced. Period. That sucks for teams like the Royals and the Cardinals ... who are built to play baseball, not just Chris Davis the ball and hope to connect 1 out of every 10 at bats.

...we'll see. We do not have a pitching staff that can compete with a juiced baseball, though. Kennedy, Vargas, Hammel ... all susceptible to the long ball. Hell, Kennedy is a strike out or home run pitcher.

[C3HIEF3S]

Originally Posted by Romosexual

No doubt. I know this team will still have heart ... but, at some point, we're like the only team that hasn't developed any sort of young stud starting pitcher. Duffy looked to be a legit Ace for much of last year ... but what in the world? How are we so bad at developing starters in the Minor Leagues? I mean, even Ace was a cyborg reliever trying to cut it as a starter and his command was just awful the past two years.

Duffy was the last player that I expected to actually put up that kind of season. I am not sure how he will fare this year. On one hand, I would like to think he's finally honing his skills. On the other hand, Last year wasn't the norm for Duffy. Also, last year wasn't the same type of pitcher that also had a stellar 2014.

Duffy 2014: 2.53 ERA, 3.83 FIP; .239 BABIP
K/9: 6.81
BB/9: 3.19

Duffy 2015: 3.51 ERA, 3.83 FIP; .291 BABIP
K/9: 9.42
BB/9: 2.10

I guess a little of his 2014 was based off of a BABIPa that was .239, which, in the Majors he has never had a figure that low.. ever, outside of 2014. (Career BABIP: .288)

2016 was just straight dominance at times. It was nice to see him start to be able to put hitters away and control his stuff for once. My hope is that 2016 wasn't the outlier of his career.

[Hootie]

I don't have anything against it nor do I know if my opinion on the matter is right or ignorant ...

but I pay zero attention and give no shits to FIP. I think FIP is the dumbest advanced analytic in baseball. Well, 2nd dumbest. 1st is whatever the **** they use to grade defense at 1st base.

[C3HIEF3S]

Originally Posted by Romosexual

I don't have anything against it nor do I know if my opinion on the matter is right or ignorant ...

but I pay zero attention and give no shits to FIP. I think FIP is the dumbest advanced analytic in baseball. Well, 2nd dumbest. 1st is whatever the **** they use to grade defense at 1st base.

When coupled with other tools, I think it is useful as long as it is in context. I don't like seeing tweetards using it as a sole-identifier of a pitcher's performance. Then again, one can say that about many of the tools.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by Romosexual

I like baseball just the way it is. They need to put a DH in the NL, but that's the only thing I'd change. I don't need to see baseballs being juiced so that we go back to a long ball or nothing sport. Was last year the most HR's ever hit in a year? Or 2nd most? With steroids and HGH being way down across the board (presumably), the only answer is the balls were juiced. Period. That sucks for teams like the Royals and the Cardinals ... who are built to play baseball, not just Chris Davis the ball and hope to connect 1 out of every 10 at bats.

...we'll see. We do not have a pitching staff that can compete with a juiced baseball, though. Kennedy, Vargas, Hammel ... all susceptible to the long ball. Hell, Kennedy is a strike out or home run pitcher.

You keep your goddamn softball players out of my senior circuit.

The DH blows. Hard.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by C3HIEF3S

When coupled with other tools, I think it is useful as long as it is in context. I don't like seeing tweetards using it as a sole-identifier of a pitcher's performance. Then again, one can say that about many of the tools.

WAR.

I saw a great line regarding WAR a week or so ago - "WAR's strength is not in its precision".

There's really no better way to say it. It's not a precise stat at all but it's a solid starting point. For certain things, there are old-school and often antiquated measures like batting average that can be more useful than far more advanced catch-all stats like WAR.

It's important to use the right stat for the right purpose. Too many people don't.

[Hootie]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

You keep your goddamn softball players out of my senior circuit.

The DH blows. Hard.

I think it's cute when Maddon plays Travis Wood in LF and it makes baseball fun - but 162 games of double switching, LRL bullpen management, and watching pitchers hit bores the **** out of me ...

...and you can't have 2 leagues with different rules. The AL always has a slight advantage over the NL in the WS and interleague play because they pay a guy to be a professional hitter. I'm an AL fan and even I see that.

Either eliminate the DH, or put the DH in both leagues. That's my stance.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by Romosexual

I think it's cute when Maddon plays Travis Wood in LF and it makes baseball fun - but 162 games of double switching, LRL bullpen management, and watching pitchers hit bores the **** out of me ...

...and you can't have 2 leagues with different rules. The AL always has a slight advantage over the NL in the WS and interleague play because they pay a guy to be a professional hitter. I'm an AL fan and even I see that.

Either eliminate the DH, or put the DH in both leagues. That's my stance.

And yet when the Royals were playing in the NL park during the World Series, Royals fans were upset that they were losing their DH.

To me, the damage of having to pay (roughly) half your games in an AL park without a dedicated DH is easily offset by your opponent having spent an entire season banking on the DH and now having to play (roughly) half its games without one.

I'd imagine more AL fans see the DH rules as being a benefit for the NL than vice versa. Personally I think it's a wash or at the very least completely dependent on the teams in question.

Oh, and you don't know entertainment until you watch the gerbil on the wheel in Mike Matheny's head slit its own wrists while he's trying desperately to trade moves with genuinely intelligent people like Maddon and Bochy. You can actually see the sparks shooting from his ears. When they're playing chess, that guy is playing Jenga.

[Hootie]

Meh. I never cared about Kendrys being out of the lineup. Or Billy Butler for that matter... I just think in 2017 both leagues need the same rules. Not a huge deal, clearly

Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk

[C3HIEF3S]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

WAR.

I saw a great line regarding WAR a week or so ago - "WAR's strength is not in its precision".

There's really no better way to say it. It's not a precise stat at all but it's a solid starting point. For certain things, there are old-school and often antiquated measures like batting average that can be more useful than far more advanced catch-all stats like WAR.

It's important to use the right stat for the right purpose. Too many people don't.

I'm walking into work right now or else I would be able to talk about this all night long. Hopefully I'll catch you guys in here tonight.

[Fansy the Famous Bard]

The last couple of pages is some of the best baseball discussion I've read in awhile.

6 days until pitchers\catchers report. This has been a long, painful offseason.

[Al Bundy]

We have acquired minor league OF Donnie Dewees from the Cubs for RHP Alec Mills. Mills was DFA'd earlier today. #Royals

— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) February 9, 2017