*** 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.

[WhawhaWhat]

Originally Posted by alnorth

The owners approved the new CBA by a vote of 29-1. The Rays were the only team that voted no.

Did they have a specific objection or just like the HOF votes where no one gets voted unanimously?

[alnorth]

Originally Posted by WhawhaWhat

Did they have a specific objection or just like the HOF votes where no one gets voted unanimously?

unknown

[Prison Bitch]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

What Duncan is referring to is Sal's drop every year in production as the season (his body?) wears on. The numbers are pretty stark:

First Half: 1245 PA 48HR .282 AVG
Second Half: 1311 PA 39HR .263 AVG

Just thought of something: Sal had a crazy good debut in 2011 when he came up 2nd half. Batted .331 in 158 PA or 12% of his career 2 half AB. If we strip that outlier it's approximately 293 hits or a .254 AVG which is even lower than the .263 career total cited above.

[WhawhaWhat]

14 teams receive a Competitive Balance pick in 2017 Draft

The Competitive Balance Rounds are no longer determined via lottery. Instead, all teams that fall in the bottom 10 in revenue and bottom 10 in market size will get a pick in Round A, after the first round, or Round B, following the second round. Using a formula that takes revenue and winning percentage into account, six teams were awarded Round A picks, with eight teams getting picks in Comp Round B. The groups of teams will switch in 2018 (meaning there will be eight Comp Round A picks, six in Round B), and will alternate as such for the life of this CBA.

The Rays, Reds, A's, Brewers, Twins and Marlins, in that order, will pick in Round A, while the Round B order will be: D-backs, Padres, Rockies, Indians, Pirates, Royals, Orioles and Cardinals.

The order and current pick numbers of Competitive Balance Rounds A and B are below. Pick numbers are subject to change based on trades (Competitive Balance Round picks can be traded) and qualifying offer free-agent signings. Click here for the complete Draft order, including updates due to free-agent signings.

Round A
31. Tampa Bay Rays
32. Cincinnati Reds
33. Oakland Athletics
34. Milwaukee Brewers
35. Minnesota Twins
36. Miami Marlins

Round B
67. Arizona Diamondbacks
68. San Diego Padres
69. Colorado Rockies
70. Cleveland Indians
71. Kansas City Royals
72. Pittsburgh Pirates
73. Baltimore Orioles
74. St. Louis Cardinals

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by WhawhaWhat

14 teams receive a Competitive Balance pick in 2017 Draft

Well, good, I guess. I thought it really stunk that the Royals were completely shut out the last two years. I mean, we won and all, but those picks have significant value to at team that will likely need to rebuild.

[Prison Bitch]

ZIPS projections are being released, CLEVE out today. Really impressive forecasts unfortunately. They're projected to have 44 WAR (or 91 win equivalent) before their reserves are even counted:

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/2017-...eland-indians/


Obv projections are just that. But still.

[Prison Bitch]

jayson stark: But one club they spoke with says they are listening on "everyone," even though they're trying to figure out a way to retool but still keep enough of the band together to make one last run at October. If that doesn't work, though, then file away this prediction from one National League exec: "In July, they'll be the biggest seller in baseball."

[Coach]

Some good funny reading material. It's pretty long, so to see the whole article, you'll have to click on the link.

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt...120148533.html

Royals manager Ned Yost is all-in for 2017, but Georgia is on his mind

By Sam Mellinger
smellinger@kcstar.com

MERIWETHER COUNTY, Ga. Ned Yost is calling the man in the seed truck a dumbass, and there are at least two things you need to know about this.

First, this is a term of endearment down here, like redneck. We’re all dumbasses in some ways, right? Ned knows more about baseball and hunting than anyone you are likely to meet in a month, but he’s still in awe of how those guys framed his hunting shack in three hours. When it comes to framing a hunting shack, Ned is an admitted dumbass.

Second, he’s kind of hoping the dumbass does this dumbass thing Ned thinks he’s about to do, because we’re standing near the lake on the 550 acres he owns an hour south of Atlanta, and if that big truck gets stuck in that deep mud, Ned gets to grab his tractor and pull him out and ... perfect.

The dumbass is stuck.

“Let’s go,” Ned says.

The Royals manager drives his white Ford pickup a few hundred yards to his barn, turns the key on a Cat tractor, chugs back to the mud and tows the dumbass a short distance to drier land. The whole thing takes five minutes, 10 tops. His lips curl at the ends. This is the smile of a 62-year-old man living a teen-aged boy’s fantasy.

[SAUTO]

It has a sad ending.

[lewdog]

Good article. I got a little weepy at the end of it.

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by lewdog

Good article. I got a little weepy at the end of it.

I feel better now that I know I'm not the only one.

[suzzer99]

Change just a couple of words from "This is the smile of a 62-year-old man living a teen-aged boy’s fantasy." to "This is the smile of a 62-year-old man living a fantasy with a teen-aged boy." - and the story takes a very dark turn.

[CaliforniaChief]

So who takes over after Ned retires?

My top guess is Raul Ibanez.

Wakamatsu and Sveum will probably get a look.

[Nightfyre]

The Royals have promoted Brian Buchanan and Luis Perez from their minor league positions.

Buchanan, who was the Hitting Coach for the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals in 2016, has been named Assistant Major League Hitting Coach. The 2017 season will mark Buchanan’s eighth in the Royals’ organization, after serving positions at: Wilmington (2015), Lexington (2013–14), Kane County (2012) and Idaho Falls (2010–11).

Perez has been named the Assistant Major League Strength and Conditioning Coach/Latin American Strength and Conditioning Coordinator, after serving a similar role in the organization since 2010.

I know we parsed this earlier, but I am lazy and don't want to search - were the Royals sending their players to AA to be with this hitting coach, or rushing people to AAA to be with that hitting coach instead of the AA coach?

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Nightfyre

I know we parsed this earlier, but I am lazy and don't want to search - were the Royals sending their players to AA to be with this hitting coach, or rushing people to AAA to be with that hitting coach instead of the AA coach?

Believe the AAA guy was the one getting recent acclaim.