Royals *** Official 2018 Royals Repository *** - Page 260

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.

Spoiler!

OF Jarred Kelenic, Waukasha West HS, WI

Spoiler!

1B Triston Casas, American Heritage HS (FL).

Spoiler!

RHP Carter Stewart, Eau de Gallie HS (Ga).

Spoiler!

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 tk13:
I think Whit will be traded. If he's not it's because there wasn't a decent offer for him. There is zero reason to trade him for a couple of lottery tickets when we have him under control for several years.
Posted via Mobile Device

Well obviously, but I see no reason why a competent GM can't pull off a decent return. Whit is under team control for what, another 4 years? He hits for high AVG/OBP. He isn't a power hitter, but I think in a different ballpark he can be a 15-20 HR a year 2B. He steals bases at a high rate. If Moore can't get a decent return for that it's on him.
[Reply]

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla:
That's true, but I can't recall anyone liking the Colon pick.

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch:
Idk about that, I've got the BB America prospect guide right here. He was like 60th on their top 100 in 2011 and they praised him as "best college bat" and "more than held his own at the plate" in his short debut

Said he'd be a mainstay at 2B, would lose value if he gained weight and went to 3rd, but unlikely due to Moose. So plenty of experts thought he'd be a Whit toe or, really, a Omar Infante

Colon was suppose to be the next Pl�cido Polanco.
[Reply]