The season is upon us, even if spring is not.
2018 MLB Draft Picks
#18
#33 - Compensation (Eric Hosmer)
#34 - Compensation (Lorenzo Cain)
#40 (Competitive Balance Round A)
018 Draft Names to Watch
RHP Kumar Rocker, N Oconnee HS, Georgia.
OF Jarred Kelenic, Waukasha West HS, WI
1B Triston Casas, American Heritage HS (FL).
RHP Carter Stewart, Eau de Gallie HS (Ga).
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 WhawhaWhat:
Why not both? There are plenty of games left this season and next and the Royals will be competing in neither season. Sitting on the bench for 2 games isn't the end of the world.
Take a breather buddy. If they don't care about losing games, then you shouldn't be getting that worked up either.
I care about playing young players to find out what we have. The sooner that happens, the better. Every game of evaluation counts. Why waste it?
And why be annoyed about it? Because it’s illogical and senseless for a rebuilding team. It doesn’t inspire confidence.
And I’m not your ****ing buddy.
[Reply]
Originally Posted by Chiefspants:
And he likely was the 3rd piece lotto ticket of that trade as well.
One of the reasons that trade drew questions nationally is that Gutierrez is the most known/scouted piece of it and was highest reared in the Nats system entering the year, so many assumed he was the key piece.
Re: pitching prospects in the system, the 18 draftees make up most of the really interesting pieces (the Lynch kid from UVA has been particularly good).
Carlos Hernandez has also had a good season and is on a hot run. 6-4 kid with good FB velo.
18 3rd rounder Kyle Isbel is also off to a great start. Playing a good CF, stolen 18/21 bases, and hitting for power and average across two levels.
[Reply]
