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.
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Best players on the Royals
1. Whit "The Franchise" Merrifield 3.3 WAR
2. Alex "Overpaid" Gordon 1.7 WAR
3. Salvador "Not smiley anymore" Perez 1.5
4. Aldaberto "Better than Escobar" Mondesi 1.0
5. Rosell "Utility Man Hopeful" Herrera 0.9
6. Jorge "Always injured" Soler 0.9
7. Lucas "Untradeable" Duda 0.1
8. Jorge "Not good without PEDs" Bonifacio 0.0
9. Cheslor "Future DFA" Cuthbert -0.3
10. Drew "career .550 OPS" Butera -0.3
11. Ryan "New Career at Target" Goins -0.3
12. Paulo "Not going to be here anymore" Orlando -0.5
13. Abraham "Out of the league" Almonte -0.6
14. Hunter "Another Royals 1st Rd Bust" Dozier -1.2
15. Alcides "Worst player in MLB" Escobar -1.7
Jesus christ we suck. Alex Gordon is the 2nd best player on the team.
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