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 GloryDayz:
One has to wonder what was gained by "this year"?
TBH, I've not followed the Royals closely enough to be able to say it was a complets waste of a year and our young players look sad, or this was just that bad year we had to get through while our future league stars learned this level of the game.
Does anybody have any thoughtful opinions, either way?
Since losing out on Eric Hosmer (after we gave up legitimate pieces trying to cut costs so we could re-sign him - just think of the trade chips that Soria, Buchter, and Alexander could have been this season, smh). But since the Hosmer singing I would give GMDM between a B+ and an A- for his rebuilding efforts this year.
He got Brad Keller in the Rule 5 draft, a starter who's only 22. He also picked up two promising prospects in the wake of the Atlanta Braves forced sell off of several of their valuable assets (Yefri Del Rosario - a pitcher with Ventura esque flair, and outfield prospect Juan Carlos Negret). Moore also loaded up on college pitchers in the draft, two of them being pitchers with "ace" potential (Singer and Kowar)
While GMDM was also criticized for making several cheap signings this offseason, (Jon Jay, Lucas Duda, Moose, Esky, etc), he went on to take two of these dirt cheap signings and flipped them for legitimate prospects. Getting Arizona to overpay for Jay by sending two pitchers with legitimate potential (18-year old right-handed pitcher Elvis Luciano and 23-year old right-handed pitcher Gabe Speier.), while Moose netted a legit bullpen arm (Jorge Lopez) and outfielder Brett Phillips, who has already made dazzling plays at center field in his short time with the Royals.
GMDM was also criticized for his return for trading Kelvin Herrera, (Kelvin Gutierrez, outfielder Blake Perkins and right-hander Yohanse Morel). However, the most criticized piece in that trade (Guitierrez) is starting to turn it up in the minors, while Perkins profiles as a defensive savant in the outfield (perfect for the K) and Morel has ace potential. All the while Herrera posted a 4.76 ERA with the Nats and is now on the DL (Moore seemed to learn to sell early after Cain and Davis' injuries in 2016). Lastly, they have two minor leaguers who have been in the system who are starting to tear it up (Seuly Matias - on pace to hit 45 dongs in the minors, and Nicky Lopez, who was just called up to AAA).
I feel about 150% better about our system as it stands now compared to 2017. Sure, national heads are still going to take GMDM at face value and use his statements as confirmation that he doesn't know what he's doing, but there's something to look forward to, especially if the Royals land the top pick and another competitive balance pick this year.
The only thing that knocks the Royals from being perfect is their concerning fixation with admitted child molester Heimlich and their failure to retain Clay Buchholz in the minors despite the fact that he was tearing it up. Clay now has a 2.67 ERA for the D-backs and likely could have netted quite the return at the deadline. Ah, well.
Overall, I'm happy. If Moore keeps this up, 2021 should be the target for some non-suck baseball. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Chiefspants:
Since losing out on Eric Hosmer (after we gave up legitimate pieces trying to cut costs so we could re-sign him - just think of the trade chips that Soria, Buchter, and Alexander could have been this season, smh). But since the Hosmer singing I would give GMDM between a B+ and an A- for his rebuilding efforts this year.
He got Brad Keller in the Rule 5 draft, a starter who's only 22. He picked up a promising prospect in the wake of the Atlanta Braves forced sell off of several of their valuable assets. Moore also loaded up on college pitchers in the draft, two of them being pitchers with "ace" potential.
While GMDM was also criticized for making several cheap signings this offseason, (Jon Jay, Lucas Duda, Moose, Esky, etc), he went on to take two of these dirt cheap signings and flipped them for legitimate prospects. Getting Arizona to overpay for Jay by sending two pitchers with legitimate potential (18-year old right-handed pitcher Elvis Luciano and 23-year old right-handed pitcher Gabe Speier.), while Moose netted a legit bullpen arm (Jorge Lopez) and outfielder Brett Phillips, who has already made dazzling plays at center field in his short time with the Royals.
GMDM was also criticized for his return for trading Kelvin Herrera, (Kelvin Gutierrez, outfielder Blake Perkins and right-hander Yohanse Morel). However, the most criticized piece in that trade (Guitierrez) is starting to turn it up in the minors, while Perkins profiles as a defensive savant in the outfield (perfect for the K) and Morel has ace potential.
I feel about 150% better about our system as it stands now compared to 2017. Sure, national heads are still going to take GMDM at face value and use his statements as confirmation that he doesn't know what he's doing, but there's something to look forward to, especially if the Royals land the top pick and another competitive balance pick this year.
The only thing that knocks the Royals from being perfect is their concerning fixation with admitted child molester Heimlich and their failure to retain Clay Buchholz in the minors despite the fact that he was tearing it up. Clay now has a 2.67 ERA for the D-backs and likely could have netted quite the return at the deadline. Ah, well.
Overall, I'm happy. If Moore keeps this up, 2021 should be the target for some non-suck baseball.
Ok. So we have 3 awful years? Can I resume watching afterwards? I haven't watched a game in a month and don't plan to.
That seems like a lot. How come Cleve never has to endure these droughts? [Reply]
Originally Posted by Prison Bitch:
Ok. So we have 3 awful years? Can I resume watching afterwards? I haven't watched a game in a month and don't plan to.
That seems like a lot. How come Cleve never has to endure these droughts?
Yeah that World Series championship drought since 1948 is so great. [Reply]
Originally Posted by GloryDayz:
One has to wonder what was gained by "this year"?
TBH, I've not followed the Royals closely enough to be able to say it was a complets waste of a year and our young players look sad, or this was just that bad year we had to get through while our future league stars learned this level of the game.
Does anybody have any thoughtful opinions, either way?
MLB.com says Dick Lovelady generated most interest at last year's trade deadline. And he's had a good year in AAA
Originally Posted by Prison Bitch:
Ok. So we have 3 awful years? Can I resume watching afterwards? I haven't watched a game in a month and don't plan to.
That seems like a lot. How come Cleve never has to endure these droughts?
2007 - Won 96 games and took Red Sox to Game 7 of ALCS before losing.
2008 - fell back to .500 at 81-81
2009 - dropped off a cliff, nearly lost 100 games, finishing 65-97
2010 - another 90 loss season, finishing 69-93
2011 - challenged .500 again, finishing 80-82
2012 - another 90 loss season again, finishing 68-94
2013 - finally turned the corner, finished 92-70, back to competing for division titles and playoff spots.
So, yes, Cleveland, like all small market teams, goes through droughts. I don't know that their path from 2007 on is all that different from the Royals path post 2015. Yes, the Royals initial drop off from competing for .500 to 100+ losses is greater, but who really cares? Neither a 100+ loss team or a 90+ loss team are competing for playoff spots. I'd honestly rather have the 100+ loss team. At least you get the higher draft picks and the larger pool of slot money (at least now). Based on this trend, Royals SHOULD be up and rolling by 2021, if they do things right. If they don't, GMDM will be gone.
And, as has already been mentioned, at least we have something to show for a window of contention and then sudden drop off (unlike Cleveland). [Reply]
I was hoping the Royals would release Hammel today. After giving up three runs and recording zero outs yesterday ( after Junis's awesome effort ), he should be DFA'd.
I could see them keeping him hoping to get something through the waver wire, but who would give anything for him?
Maybe the Royals are keeping him because they don't want to give him the rest of the season off with pay. Maybe making him come to work every day and play for a crappy team is his punishment for being a crappy pitcher? [Reply]
Originally Posted by Chiefspants:
Since losing out on Eric Hosmer (after we gave up legitimate pieces trying to cut costs so we could re-sign him - just think of the trade chips that Soria, Buchter, and Alexander could have been this season, smh). But since the Hosmer singing I would give GMDM between a B+ and an A- for his rebuilding efforts this year.
He got Brad Keller in the Rule 5 draft, a starter who's only 22. He picked up a promising prospect in the wake of the Atlanta Braves forced sell off of several of their valuable assets. Moore also loaded up on college pitchers in the draft, two of them being pitchers with "ace" potential.
While GMDM was also criticized for making several cheap signings this offseason, (Jon Jay, Lucas Duda, Moose, Esky, etc), he went on to take two of these dirt cheap signings and flipped them for legitimate prospects. Getting Arizona to overpay for Jay by sending two pitchers with legitimate potential (18-year old right-handed pitcher Elvis Luciano and 23-year old right-handed pitcher Gabe Speier.), while Moose netted a legit bullpen arm (Jorge Lopez) and outfielder Brett Phillips, who has already made dazzling plays at center field in his short time with the Royals.
GMDM was also criticized for his return for trading Kelvin Herrera, (Kelvin Gutierrez, outfielder Blake Perkins and right-hander Yohanse Morel). However, the most criticized piece in that trade (Guitierrez) is starting to turn it up in the minors, while Perkins profiles as a defensive savant in the outfield (perfect for the K) and Morel has ace potential.
I feel about 150% better about our system as it stands now compared to 2017. Sure, national heads are still going to take GMDM at face value and use his statements as confirmation that he doesn't know what he's doing, but there's something to look forward to, especially if the Royals land the top pick and another competitive balance pick this year.
The only thing that knocks the Royals from being perfect is their concerning fixation with admitted child molester Heimlich and their failure to retain Clay Buchholz in the minors despite the fact that he was tearing it up. Clay now has a 2.67 ERA for the D-backs and likely could have netted quite the return at the deadline. Ah, well.
Overall, I'm happy. If Moore keeps this up, 2021 should be the target for some non-suck baseball.
Thank you for the thoughtful replay, it adds a lot of hope. [Reply]
Originally Posted by TomBarndtsTwin:
Cleveland Indians:
2007 - Won 96 games and took Red Sox to Game 7 of ALCS before losing.
2008 - fell back to .500 at 81-81
2009 - dropped off a cliff, nearly lost 100 games, finishing 65-97
2010 - another 90 loss season, finishing 69-93
2011 - challenged .500 again, finishing 80-82
2012 - another 90 loss season again, finishing 68-94
2013 - finally turned the corner, finished 92-70, back to competing for division titles and playoff spots.
So, yes, Cleveland, like all small market teams, goes through droughts. I don't know that their path from 2007 on is all that different from the Royals path post 2015. Yes, the Royals initial drop off from competing for .500 to 100+ losses is greater, but who really cares? Neither a 100+ loss team or a 90+ loss team are competing for playoff spots. I'd honestly rather have the 100+ loss team. At least you get the higher draft picks and the larger pool of slot money (at least now). Based on this trend, Royals SHOULD be up and rolling by 2021, if they do things right. If they don't, GMDM will be gone.
And, as has already been mentioned, at least we have something to show for a window of contention and then sudden drop off (unlike Cleveland).
I'm sorry but losing 97 isn't 109. This year has been completely unacceptable. Nobody cares about 97 losses but you have to be brutally incompetent to go near 110. Historically inept.
Small markets do re-tool. That's fine. Losing 109 games isn't. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Prison Bitch:
I'm sorry but losing 97 isn't 109. This year has been completely unacceptable. Nobody cares about 97 losses but you have to be brutally incompetent to go near 110. Historically inept.
Small markets do re-tool. That's fine. Losing 109 games isn't.
Lol Wilbon went home in the 8th inning and missed the grand slam. His son wanted to stay.
My uncle and cousin left the Monday night San Diego game where Vanover won it on a punt return in OT. They left right before Bono's miracle drive with 1:20 left and no TOs. My friend and I stayed. It's still the best live sports experience of my life. My uncle and cousin still won't talk about it.
Wilbon's kid is gonna have some issues with his dad for a while I bet. [Reply]
Originally Posted by suzzer99:
Lol Wilbon went home in the 8th inning and missed the grand slam. His son wanted to stay.
My uncle and cousin left the Monday night San Diego game where Vanover won it on a punt return in OT. They left right before Bono's miracle drive with 1:20 left and no TOs. My friend and I stayed. It's still the best live sports experience of my life. My uncle and cousin still won't talk about it.
Wilbon's kid is gonna have some issues with his dad for a while I bet.
Me and my buddy left that Chargers game like 2 years ago where they came back and miraculously won. That sucked. [Reply]
