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 Coach:
The only reason why the Royals can't release him is because of that contract.
Otherwise, if he was making as much as Orlando was, he would have been DFA'ed. Gordon doesn't have any upside whatsoever, and his game has declined dramatically since 2016.
Gordon gets the money if he plays, gets cut, or sits. If he isn’t helping the team he shouldn’t play just because of the contract. The money has already been spent no matter what they decide to do with him. He isn’t going to retire like Meche. [Reply]
Did you ever hear why the Royals fired Dave Eiland? The pitching coach was great during the run, and I just couldn't figure out why they let him go. Do you have any insights in that? [Reply]
Originally Posted by Great Expectations:
Gordon gets the money if he plays, gets cut, or sits. If he isn’t helping the team he shouldn’t play just because of the contract. The money has already been spent no matter what they decide to do with him. He isn’t going to retire like Meche.
He's still the best defensive LF in the game and this franchise has always valued defense highly. I'm sure the contract is part of it but Gordon brings something to the table at a very high level. And he's not blocking anyone.
At least until Bonifacio comes back. Then things might be different depending on what Cuthbert is doing and if Moose is still on the team. [Reply]
Did you ever hear why the Royals fired Dave Eiland? The pitching coach was great during the run, and I just couldn't figure out why they let him go. Do you have any insights in that?
I don’t think it was anything more than wanting to make a change. Sometimes, messages get stale. Also not sure working with and developing young guys is really his skill set.
Originally Posted by Coach:
The only reason why the Royals can't release him is because of that contract.
Otherwise, if he was making as much as Orlando was, he would have been DFA'ed. Gordon doesn't have any upside whatsoever, and his game has declined dramatically since 2016.
His upside is that if he can find a way to be even an average offensive player, he is still a good enough defender to provide some value.
Not saying I think that will happen, but considering how good he has been and that he has always shown good OBP ability, there’s at least a path there.
If we see more things like his double to left-center last night, I might start to think it can happen, at least a little.
You’re right that if he didn’t have the big contract, they could dispense with him as easily as they can with Orlando or Tyler Collins. But that’s not the situation. [Reply]