Big Leagues- To be honest, there is not much to say about this big league squad. Former top prospect Alex Gordon is still not producing, and Yankee castoff Melky Cabrera is now a Royal. Billy Butler and Alcides Escobar could be the only bright spots in this lineup but they don't produce much game changing abilities right now. The Royals had hope that Billy Butler would turn into a 30 home run guy, but that is becoming more of a fantasy. I'm hoping 3rd base prospect Mike Moustakas makes the big league team, and gives me a reason to be excited to watch the Royals.
Catcher- Jason Kendall
1st Base- Kila Ka'aihue
2nd Base- Chris Getz
Shortstop- Alcides Escobar
3rd Base- Mike Aviles
Left Field- Alex Gordon
Center Field- Melky Cabrera/ Lorenzo Cain
Right Field- Jeff Francoeur.
DH- Billy Butler
Pitching- Luke Hochevar, Kyle Davies, Vin Mazzaro, Sean O'Sullivan
Relief- Joakim Soria, Dusty Hughes
Top 5 Prospects
3B Mike Moustakas- The reason the Royals are not last on our list, is because of their farm system highlighted by Moustakas. After missing the first 2 weeks of last season, the 2nd overall pick in 2007 exploded the rest of the season. He batted a combined .322 with 36 home runs between Double A and Triple A last season and only struck out 67 times. Moustakas is a top 5 prospect in all of baseball and he could win the 3rd base job in Kansas City. If he does he should be on everyone's radar to begin the season.
LHP John Lamb- Lamb was a 5th round pick in the 2008 draft and wasn't on too many Royals top prospects list before his breakout season in 2010. Lamb made 28 starts through 3 levels last year and had a 2.38 ERA. He struck out 159 batters in 147 innings and got all the scouts watching him as a 19 year old. He may still be too young to reach the big leagues next year, but look for another monster performance out of the young lefty in 2011.
1B Eric Hosmer- Hosmer was the 3rd overall pick in the 2008 draft and another great prospect in the Royals system. In high Class A and Double A last season the 20 year old hit .338 with 20 home runs and 14 stolen bases. Hosmer smashed 43 doubles and as he gets older those doubles could turn into home runs. Hosmer projects as a 30 to 35 home run first basemen, and Royals fans should be excited.
C Wil Myers- Here's another young position player who had a monster season as a 19 year old in the Royals farm system. Last season in Single A Myers hit .315 with a .429 on base percentage. Myers had 37 doubles to go along with 14 home runs and showed some pop for a young catcher. He also threw out 33 out 71 base runners trying to steal. The sky's the limit for this young catcher.
LHP Mike Montgomery- The former first round pick in 2008 had a great season in 2010. The 6'5 lefty posted a 2.61 ERA over 20 starts in 3 different levels. The lefty has good control and works the fastball changeup combination better than most 20 year old pitchers. Once he refines his curveball, he will be a dominate force for the Royals.
Payroll and Direction
The Royals had quite the payroll of 74 million for a team that didn't produce. They still have the bad contract of Gil Meche on the books, but they aren't going to be contenders until the prospects come up anyways. The Greinke trade gave the Royals some time to wait for their prospects. Alcides Escobar and Lorenzo Cain are position players and combine them with Moustakas, Hosmer, and Myers they Royals could become contenders. The big league team is nothing to get excited about, but with the best farm system scouts can put together look for them in the future.
No comments:
Post a Comment