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 Bufkin:
Anybody hear anything on Adalberto Mondesí? He hasn’t been talked about much since Esky was re-signed and I didn’t know if we would see him in KC any this year. I bought an Mondesí custom jersey last year which may have been my mistake.
He’s rehabbing in extended spring training. Likely assigned to Omaha in a week. He hurt his non throwing shoulder during spring training.
If he performs well for a month or so in Omaha, I’d expect him to get a call-up and play every day, but he’s going to have to perform and show he’s overcome some of the focus issues the team was concerned about.
[Reply]
Originally Posted by BWillie:
I'm not the baseball wizard Duncan is, but how many teams out there need a 3B? Not many. The market for 3B is bleak. Turner will be back for LAD, unless he has a set back and needs surgery most good teams are set at 3B.
That's half the reason he came back to the Royals in the first place.
The Yankees still might be your best bet, but you'd need Andujar to fall off, and the Yankees aren't big on giving up prospects these days... especially for a half season rental.
[Reply]
