Possibly goes top 10 but is a big, physical SP with ace potential. Moore and co. will be all over him if he slips a bit and could offer top 10 money at No. 16
OF Jarred Kelenic, Waukasha West HS, WI
Spoiler!
Kelenic is the top prep bat, toolsy OF. Royals would be ecstatic to have shot at him.
1B Triston Casas, American Heritage HS (FL).
Spoiler!
Tremendous raw power, best in HS bats. Royals typically like HS arms or HS bats with "special" tools. He qualifies.
RHP Carter Stewart, Eau de Gallie HS (Ga).
Spoiler!
Another big, physical specimen with huge upside. More likely to be available mid-first than Rocker.
ANY Any, Any (Any). Any current top projected pick who slides for injury concerns. Includes current top prospect prospect SP Brady Singer, U of Florida.
Current Prospects to Watch:
OF Seuly Matias - Huge tools. Hit 2 HR in Lexington (A) season opener.
1B Nick Pratto - Top pick in 17 has advanced approach and good glove; needs to start tapping into power in first full year in minors. Also at Lexington.
OF Michael Gigliotti - Good defender in CF, good OBP skills, plus baserunner. Next mainstay in CF for KC, IMO. Advanced college bat also starting at Lexington.
OF Khalil Lee - Probably has highest upside in Royals' system. Could hit 30 HR in majors, could steal 30 bases. Plus defensive ability in RF. Nice test at Wilmington this year.
3B Emmanuel Rivera - Really nice approach and good contact skills. Power is still developing. Also getting a good test at Wilmington.
SP Foster Griffin - Made nice strides in 2017. Needs to continue to progress in 2018. Could be a lefty version of Jakob Junis (good breaking ball that he can really manipulate, OK fastball, good command).
1B Samir Duenez - Duenez still is intriguing, hoping for a step forward in his power production this year at Northwest Arkansas, which would turn him into a legit prospect.
Others to keep an eye on:
SP Gerson Garabito (Wilmington), OF Marten Gasparini (Lexington), C MJ Melendez (Lexington), RP Tyler Zuber (lexington), RP Richard Lovelady (Omaha), SP Dan Tillo (Lexington), SS Nicky Lopez (NWA), SP Scott Blewett (NWA), OF Brewer Hicklen (Idaho Falls),
In general, Lexington and Wilmington are the most interesting spots to watch. Nice depth and a lot of interesting pieces at both. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Mecca:
Dayton Moore is desperately trying to not lose fans, that's what all that is about.
Is tanking better in the long run? Probably but he's also been here for so long maybe he thinks if they suck for 4 years his job security will become an issue?
Who knows it could be a number of things.
I wouldn't deliberately tank if I were him, but I'd also try to maximize my assets. I think Duffy should be traded, but I can at least see an argument to keeping him. But keeping Merrifield or trading him for lower ceiling talent does nothing to help us actually contend. Lopez will likely be up next year leaving a roster crunch in the middle infield. Something has to give there. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Prison Bitch:
When Hoz was 19 he had 454ab with 6HR and .254avg in A ball
And how he's the best ground ball hitter in baseball! Hits it 200 mph right to the infielder. Boom. I mean he gets out, but he looks good doing it. [Reply]
Originally Posted by KChiefs1:
Pratto has turned out to be a turd.
He's not really doing that bad. Has a higher average than Melendez and Matias, although not enough power. He needs to improve, but he's certainly not a turd. [Reply]
Originally Posted by OKchiefs:
He's not really doing that bad. Has a higher average than Melendez and Matias, although not enough power. He needs to improve, but he's certainly not a turd.
He's no Cheslor Cuthbert or Hunter Dozier that's for sure. [Reply]
Who is the best to play 3B next year? Hunter Dozier doesn't look like he's an everyday player and I'm not sure Cheslor is the answer, either. Can Whit or Nicky Lopez play there? [Reply]
Originally Posted by BWillie:
And how he's the best ground ball hitter in baseball! Hits it 200 mph right to the infielder. Boom. I mean he gets out, but he looks good doing it.
I do legitimately wonder what they're going to do with all the outfielders. Of course they have to stay healthy first.
Cuthbert is only going to be 26 next year. I could see them giving him a shot. There are many a player, especially in this organization, that didn't figure it out until about then. [Reply]
Originally Posted by OKchiefs:
You're smoking something. And Whit has nowhere near enough power for a 3B.
How can you play Whit at 2nd with Lopez ready? It really makes no sense to keep Merrifield on a 100-loss team given that we have a MLB-ready player behind him. [Reply]
