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 big nasty kcnut:
Stop being debbie downers! I think this team can contend for a playoff spot. Bullpen needs to be fixed but everything else is good.
Get back with me when we start beating good teams. [Reply]
AAA
Adalberto "Raul" Mondesi .323 avg, .968 OPS, 2 HR, 31 ABs
Bubba Starling .281 avg, .687 OPS, 0 HR, 32 AB
Hunter Dozier .242 avg, .703 OPS, 1 HR, 99 AB
Josh Staumont 0.68 ERA, 13 IP
Richard Lovelady 3.75, 12 IP
AA
Nicky Lopez .284 avg, .721 OPS, 0 HR, 109 AB
Donnie Dewees .241 avg, .648 OPS, 0 HR, 112 AB
Samir Duenez .238 avg, .753 OPS, 5 HR, 105 AB
Scott Blewett 4.4 ERA 30.2 IP
Foster Griffin 3.72 ERA, 29 IP
A+ (Wilmington Blue Rocks)
DJ Burt .377 avg, .896 OPS, 0 HR, 16 SB, 53 AB
Khalil Lee .247 avg, .806 OPS, 2 HR, 6 SB, 93 AB
Meibrys Viloria .228 avg, .646 OPS, 1 HR, 79 AB
A (Lexington)
Seuly Matias .278 avg, .960 OPS, 8 HR, 90 AB
Nick Pratto .267 avg, .757 OPS, 4 HR, 105 AB
MJ Melendez .237 avg, .832 OPS, 3 HR, 76 OPS
Michael Gigliotti out for season with ACL
Daniel Tillo 3.68 ERA, 29 IP
Nolan Watson 6.33 ERA, 27 IP
It’s worth noting Staumont has 28K and 10 BB in 13 1/3 IP.
Rudy Martin is also interesting. He’s only 5-7, but has great OBP and SB skills. 14 bags in 23 games, .433 OBP (22 walks). He’s also at Wilmington. They drafted him as a 2B but he’s now playing LF. [Reply]
If someone had told you collectively Moose, Soler, and Gordon would have well over a .900 OPS, and Junis would be pitching really well, and Herrera would be unhittable...would you believe we'd be 11 games under? [Reply]
Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower:
THESE O'S AINT ROYAL
I was cutting some tile for my basement kitchen, so I threw on a work shirt which was this exact shirt. Bought it after J Guts punked the Os in the playoffs. Forgot all about this game and turned it on and it was 15 to 1. [Reply]
Originally Posted by FringeNC:
If someone had told you collectively Moose, Soler, and Gordon would have well over a .900 OPS, and Junis would be pitching really well, and Herrera would be unhittable...would you believe we'd be 11 games under?
Probably some blame for someone for letting Maurer, Grimm and Boyer play significant bullpen roles to start the year. Me and many others saw the bullpen issues coming plain as day. Its Ned and Daytons fault but mainly Ned for utilizing them instead of other options. [Reply]