2023 – A new beginning for the Royals. Matt Quatraro era begins. A year to see which of our young players will make up the core going forward. Can Bobby Witt Jr become a superstar SS or will go to the hot corner? Will Brady Singer take the next step forward? Will Salvy be Salvy? Will Big Vin or Pratto take first base? Will they find a position for MJ? Who else emerges from the youth movement? Not to mention the development of the new downtown stadium.
Free Agents/Trades Acquisitions
Jordan Lyles, RHP
Ryan Yarbrough, LHP
Josh Taylor, LHP
Aroldis Chapman, LHP
Top 10 Prospects from Baseball America
1. Gavin Cross, OF
2. Cayden Wallace, 3B
3. Drew Waters, OF
4. Ben Kudrna, RHP
5. Frank Mozzicato, LHP
6. Maikel Garcia, SS
7. Tyler Gentry, OF
8. Nick Loftin, OF/3B
9. Angel Zerpa, LHP
10. Carter Jensen, C [Reply]
Originally Posted by Mecca:
What happens if the dude is a 1st baseman?
In all reality prep catchers just hit very low, take a look at Melendez to this point.
Dude has a rocket launcher on his arm. He has talent. You run him out there with Rusty Kuntz every day if that's what it takes to put him at a position where his arm can be a weapon. There is no way you put an arm like that at 1B. [Reply]
Originally Posted by tk13:
I actually think it makes sense given how bad the system is. You don't want to throw all your eggs in one basket. Try and find some guys later on in the draft. Now the issue is whether the guys making the pick are the ones who helped the system get this bad in the first place.
This is an excellent point, but it's hard to compliment the Royals for playing the odds when they take a HS catcher with the strategy.
I just hope they were blown away with Mitchell's bat when they made the pick. [Reply]
Originally Posted by tk13:
Dude has a rocket launcher on his arm. He has talent. You run him out there with Rusty Kuntz every day if that's what it takes to put him at a position where his arm can be a weapon. There is no way you put an arm like that at 1B.
His absolute upside is Kyle Schwarber...arm doesn't make up for his lack of running ability.
Melendez isn't good in the OF and he's a far better athlete. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Ocotillo:
This is an excellent point, but it's hard to compliment the Royals for playing the odds when they take a HS catcher with the strategy.
I just hope they were blown away with Mitchell's bat when they made the pick.
Personally I don't think the Royals have earned the ability to make this pick...with their system and MLB roster to go ahead and use your top 10 on something that hits at about the same rate as prep right handers. [Reply]
I'm not going to pile on the pick any more, at least until who we see the Royals pick at #44 and #66. If they succeed in nabbing a Top-20 talent with their next pick, Mitchell will feel a lot more like a calculated gamble than a botched pick.
