*** 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.

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by teedubya

According to the analytics... the Royals should start trading off Hosmer and others right now.

I agree, they should. They should have done it in the offseason to get max value. Although, you might be able to hold someone over the fire come trade deadline.

[Chiefspants]

The dark ages of Royals baseball makes me admire Moore's insistence that we go for it all one more time. I still think we need a true #2 starter to emerge from somewhere in our system or we acquire one at the deadline, but it's fun to be rooting for a team with such a ceiling.

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

ESPN with a great article about Bonds 2004.

1st half ops: 1421
2nd half ops: 1421
Year ops: 1422 (say what?)


Yes. He had the all time best first half, beating Babe Ruth by 60 points. And the all time best 2nd half. Bonds had an OBP of .628. He was intentionally walked 71x before the ASB - no other player has done it more than 45x in a full season. (Ended with 120).


Had 232 total walks vs 41 K. Oh and he slammed 45 bombs.


http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/1...l-fun-fact-all

I'm somewhat convinced that Bonds at 52 years old could come into the league and manage to hit .225 avg, .400 obp with 12 HR. He just had an all-time eye and plate discipline. It was amazing.

At 42 years old he had a 1.045 OPS. Then he couldn't get a job the next year? Very odd. I mean I know he's a asshole, but how did he not get a job.

[Chiefspants]

Originally Posted by BWillie

I'm somewhat convinced that Bonds at 52 years old could come into the league and manage to hit .225 avg, .400 obp with 12 HR. He just had an all-time eye and plate discipline. It was amazing.

At 42 years old he had a 1.045 OPS. Then he couldn't get a job the next year? Very odd. I mean I know he's a asshole, but how did he not get a job.

Big time collusion. You're telling me the Rays, who couldn't find a DH all season, wouldn't have jumped at picking up Barry otherwise? Imagine their WS run with Barry ****ing Bonds at the plate.

[Reaper16]

Originally Posted by Great Expectations

Extreme SWMO has a much larger/louder Royals fan base. Cardinal fans have been calling us a AAAA team for a long time. After our outperforming them for the last several years they can't say much and fans are showing their support more.

10 years ago if I was wearing a Royals hat in public I'd get several disparaging comments from the bfib. Now it's either Go Royals, or crickets....

Hearing this makes me so very happy.

[Chiefspants]

Originally Posted by Reaper16

Hearing this makes me so very happy.

I have missed you, man.

[Reaper16]

Originally Posted by Chiefspants

I have missed you, man.

I'll try to hang around the Royals thread this season. The NFL largely bores me anymore, but the Royals always have all of my heart.

(Also, just fwiw, in the year long break that I took from the Planet, I came out as transgender & transitioned. Which is likely not shocking to a lot of people here, even if I had feebly denied being trans many times over the years in various shitty threads in the DC subforum).

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by Reaper16

I'll try to hang around the Royals thread this season. The NFL largely bores me anymore, but the Royals always have all of my heart.

(Also, just fwiw, in the year long break that I took from the Planet, I came out as transgender & transitioned. Which is likely not shocking to a lot of people here, even if I had feebly denied being trans many times over the years in various shitty threads in the DC subforum).

Where muh album lists?

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Reaper16

I'll try to hang around the Royals thread this season. The NFL largely bores me anymore, but the Royals always have all of my heart.



(Also, just fwiw, in the year long break that I took from the Planet, I came out as transgender & transitioned. Which is likely not shocking to a lot of people here, even if I had feebly denied being trans many times over the years in various shitty threads in the DC subforum).

That's awesome. Welcome back and will be glad to have you.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Reaper16]

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

Where muh album lists?

Hahah, I honestly didn't even write up one for 2016. I missed a lot of music from last year. My mom passed away at only 60 years old & I did not seek out new music during my grieving period.

[Prison Bitch]

Did u become a chick or dude? Honest question, I assume the former?

[C3HIEF3S]

Originally Posted by Reaper16

Hahah, I honestly didn't even write up one for 2016. I missed a lot of music from last year. My mom passed away at only 60 years old & I did not seek out new music during my grieving period.

I am very sorry for your loss. Prayers to you and your family.

Welcome back, it's going to be a great summer for the Royals.

[Chiefspants]

Originally Posted by Reaper16

I'll try to hang around the Royals thread this season. The NFL largely bores me anymore, but the Royals always have all of my heart.

(Also, just fwiw, in the year long break that I took from the Planet, I came out as transgender & transitioned. Which is likely not shocking to a lot of people here, even if I had feebly denied being trans many times over the years in various shitty threads in the DC subforum).

It makes me so happy to hear this, both the news about your transition and the fact that you'll be around the Royals thread this Summer. I am so sorry to hear about your mother, I have been fortunate enough to have both of my parents in my life and I can not fathom the impact losing one would have on me.

The 2016 Royals thread was not the same without you. I always loved reading your insight on the journey the Royals embarked on in the GMDM era. I can't wait to share more of those experiences and (perhaps) more death/progressive metal suggestions in the future. (BTW I'm catching Opeth & Gojira at Red Rocks in May and I'm stoked for it!)

I hope things are getting better, Reaper. Safe to say I look forward to having you around again.

[Al Bundy]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

ESPN with a great article about Bonds 2004.

1st half ops: 1421
2nd half ops: 1421
Year ops: 1422 (say what?)


Yes. He had the all time best first half, beating Babe Ruth by 60 points. And the all time best 2nd half. Bonds had an OBP of .628. He was intentionally walked 71x before the ASB - no other player has done it more than 45x in a full season. (Ended with 120).


Had 232 total walks vs 41 K. Oh and he slammed 45 bombs.


http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/1...l-fun-fact-all

Before he got going on the 'roids he was already an amazing ball player. The 'roids just pushed him over the homerun mark.

[Al Bundy]

Originally Posted by Reaper16

I'll try to hang around the Royals thread this season. The NFL largely bores me anymore, but the Royals always have all of my heart.

(Also, just fwiw, in the year long break that I took from the Planet, I came out as transgender & transitioned. Which is likely not shocking to a lot of people here, even if I had feebly denied being trans many times over the years in various shitty threads in the DC subforum).

Welcome back.