*** Official 2018 Royals Repository ***

[duncan_idaho]

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.

Spoiler!

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.

[Chiefspants]

Originally Posted by tk13

You guys are really turning into a pitchfork wielding group. Yikes.

That trade has worked out horribly, there's no doubt, but at the time the team was sitting in a playoff spot, was on fire, and had a huge gaping hole in the rotation and needed some bullpen help. People were not happy that we were continuing to run Travis Wood out there, we needed another reliable starter, and we needed more bullpen depth beyond Minor and Herrera (who was not having his best year). They acquired a starting pitcher who was pitching well, and two relievers who were under team control for a long time, in Buchter's case about as long as Strahm although he was a lot older.

Funny part is Cahill and Buchter are now pitching really well and doing exactly what we wanted... for the A's, who are in the playoff chase.

On the bright side, we turned Buchter into Fillmyer, who as we saw tonight, has looked pretty good so far.

Another bright side so far is perhaps the deal we did not offer Hosmer this offseason. His OPS has officially sunk below .700 this season.

[ChiefsCountry]

Originally Posted by tk13

You guys are really turning into a pitchfork wielding group. Yikes.

That trade has worked out horribly, there's no doubt, but at the time the team was sitting in a playoff spot, was on fire, and had a huge gaping hole in the rotation and needed some bullpen help. People were not happy that we were continuing to run Travis Wood out there, we needed another reliable starter, and we needed more bullpen depth beyond Minor and Herrera (who was not having his best year). They acquired a starting pitcher who was pitching well, and two relievers who were under team control for a long time, in Buchter's case about as long as Strahm although he was a lot older.

Funny part is Cahill and Buchter are now pitching really well and doing exactly what we wanted... for the A's, who are in the playoff chase.

On the bright side, we turned Buchter into Fillmyer, who as we saw tonight, has looked pretty good so far.

The same dumb ****s were pissed yesterday for winning.

[Why Not?]

Originally Posted by TomBarndtsTwin

Maurer throws 95-98 routinely on his fastball. No ‘guy off the street’ is hitting that.

That being said, even the shitty major league hitters (yes, I’m talking about you Esky) can hit a straight fastball with no movement.

The sad thing about the tanking angle is I really don’t think that’s it. Ned, for some ungodly reason, really seems to believe in this guy and his ‘stuff’. It’s truly mind boggling.

I'll have to see Maurer get another human being out before I believe you couldn't take him deep.

[cmh6476]

Originally Posted by tk13

You guys are really turning into a pitchfork wielding group. Yikes.

That trade has worked out horribly, there's no doubt, but at the time the team was sitting in a playoff spot, was on fire, and had a huge gaping hole in the rotation and needed some bullpen help. People were not happy that we were continuing to run Travis Wood out there, we needed another reliable starter, and we needed more bullpen depth beyond Minor and Herrera (who was not having his best year). They acquired a starting pitcher who was pitching well, and two relievers who were under team control for a long time, in Buchter's case about as long as Strahm although he was a lot older.

Funny part is Cahill and Buchter are now pitching really well and doing exactly what we wanted... for the A's, who are in the playoff chase.

On the bright side, we turned Buchter into Fillmyer, who as we saw tonight, has looked pretty good so far.

Semantics

[Mecca]

I'll say this about it, he hasn't exactly done a great job lately but yes a big reason I'm not a fan of Dayton is his desire to push his overly religious bullshit onto the team, who makes a team go to an anti porn seminar?

I find that shit aggravating as ****.

[Prison Bitch]

Originally Posted by Mecca

I'll say this about it, he hasn't exactly done a great job lately but yes a big reason I'm not a fan of Dayton is his desire to push his overly religious bullshit onto the team, who makes a team go to an anti porn seminar?

I find that shit aggravating as ****.

Nobody cares what you find aggravating.

There are a lot worse and more offensive stories in the sports world.

[duncan_idaho]

Look, here’s the thing on the San Diego trade...

Armed with hindsight, it failed at every level. But that’s not a fair way to evaluate any moves a team makes.

At the time, the Royals moved an injured current asset (Strahm) and a low-level prospect in Ruiz in a deal that seemingly filled all remaining holes. Buchter offered a similar amount of control as Strahm, Cahill has been excellent that year and showed real signs of a major step forward, and Maurer was a lottery ticket.

They continue to give Maurer chances because of his arm talent. They’re hoping he figures something out and becomes an asset they can move for future pieces. On a team that isn’t contending, it’s the type of shot they should be taking.

They’re in a rebuild phase. Blowing some games in the pen is not necessarily a bad outcome if you take the long view.

[duncan_idaho]

And re: rebuilding the farm system, they’re going to go from bottom 5 to middle of the pack (15-20) in a single season. That’s strong progress, and they’re not going to graduate much from this farm.

With high picks and a big pool next year and progression from the recent draftees, the Royals would be positioned to be a top 10 system again, which is where they need to be to be on the right track.

[Prison Bitch]

Tampa 15 year $1.2B tv deal? $82 per????

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/t...rth-1-billion/

[dallaschiefsfan]

Originally Posted by tk13

You guys are really turning into a pitchfork wielding group. Yikes.

That trade has worked out horribly, there's no doubt, but at the time the team was sitting in a playoff spot, was on fire, and had a huge gaping hole in the rotation and needed some bullpen help. People were not happy that we were continuing to run Travis Wood out there, we needed another reliable starter, and we needed more bullpen depth beyond Minor and Herrera (who was not having his best year). They acquired a starting pitcher who was pitching well, and two relievers who were under team control for a long time, in Buchter's case about as long as Strahm although he was a lot older.

Funny part is Cahill and Buchter are now pitching really well and doing exactly what we wanted... for the A's, who are in the playoff chase.

On the bright side, we turned Buchter into Fillmyer, who as we saw tonight, has looked pretty good so far.

This. I'm unsure what we have in Hahn, but really like Fillmyer's makeup. Buchter was always the better value in that trade and I like what they got in exchange for Moss/Buchter. Like many pitchers, Mauer would probably have a better fastball if he took a little off of it. As is, it's straight. Nobody can "fix" a guy that won't help himself.

[TomBarndtsTwin]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

Tampa 15 year $1.2B tv deal? $82 per????

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/t...rth-1-billion/

Good lord.

Rays fans didn't even really support their team that well when they were winning. Royals fans have proved they will support their team decently, when losing, and superbly, when winning.

If the Rays are getting THAT, makes me wonder what the Royals can rake in next year . . . . .

[Sure-Oz]

@FlannyMLB: Seen a scout from the Phillies (Moustakas) here again along with Yankees, Dodgers and Giants scouts, presumably interested in Francisco Liriano.

[Al Bundy]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Look, here’s the thing on the San Diego trade...

Armed with hindsight, it failed at every level. But that’s not a fair way to evaluate any moves a team makes.

At the time, the Royals moved an injured current asset (Strahm) and a low-level prospect in Ruiz in a deal that seemingly filled all remaining holes. Buchter offered a similar amount of control as Strahm, Cahill has been excellent that year and showed real signs of a major step forward, and Maurer was a lottery ticket.

They continue to give Maurer chances because of his arm talent. They’re hoping he figures something out and becomes an asset they can move for future pieces. On a team that isn’t contending, it’s the type of shot they should be taking.

They’re in a rebuild phase. Blowing some games in the pen is not necessarily a bad outcome if you take the long view.

You had to question why San Diego would trade those 3 guys for an injured guy and a low level prospect. They knew Maurer had no chance of being anything worthwhile, they also had to know Cahill was a nothing pitcher. The only piece that seemed to be a worthwhile player was Buchter and even he was terrible here. The only thing that saves this from being a major failure was that Buchter was traded for something that looks like a major league player. I can't wait for Brandon Maurer to be off this roster. Ned knows he's done, the players on the team know he's done, the fans know he is done and so does Dayton. Now, if the Royals want that #1 overall pick Maurer continues to pitch.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Al Bundy

You had to question why San Diego would trade those 3 guys for an injured guy and a low level prospect. They knew Maurer had no chance of being anything worthwhile, they also had to know Cahill was a nothing pitcher. The only piece that seemed to be a worthwhile player was Buchter and even he was terrible here. The only thing that saves this from being a major failure was that Buchter was traded for something that looks like a major league player. I can't wait for Brandon Maurer to be off this roster. Ned knows he's done, the players on the team know he's done, the fans know he is done and so does Dayton. Now, if the Royals want that #1 overall pick Maurer continues to pitch.

Because the Padres were completely into rebuild mode and those guys didn’t fit their timeline. Strahm did and Ruiz definitely did.

It’s no different than the Royals moving Jay or Duda or Herrera or Whit Merrifield or Duffy if they trade those two.

Maurer is terrible. This org is not running him out there to try to be bad, though. It’s doing that to try and fix him and flip him for value next year

[Al Bundy]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Because the Padres were completely into rebuild mode and those guys didn’t fit their timeline. Strahm did and Ruiz definitely did.

It’s no different than the Royals moving Jay or Duda or Herrera or Whit Merrifield or Duffy if they trade those two.

Maurer is terrible. This org is not running him out there to try to be bad, though. It’s doing that to try and fix him and flip him for value next year

I gotcha. Last nights game was the first loss I was legitimately pissed off about.