Fangraphs on the Royals' 2008 Minor Leagues

Interesting given our recent polls and discussions. Not sure what people will think of this in general, but I like fangraphs, so here it is. Short summary (click link above for full details):

The Graduate: Mike Aviles

The Riser: Alex Caldera

The Tumbler: Jeff Bianchi

The '08 Draft Pick: Tim Melville

The '09 Sleeper: Jose Bonilla

Also worth checking out is their review of the Braves' minor leagues. Here's the entry for the Braves' '09 Sleeper:

'Erik Cordier was one of the Royals' brightest, young pitching prospects before being derailed by Tommy John surgery. The Royals sold low on Cordier and shipped him to the Braves for Tony Pena Jr., who became the starting shortstop for the club in 2007 but was brutal in 2008. Cordier missed all of 2007 (and 2005 due to a knee injury) but returned to the mound this season for 11 starts. He was not overly sharp, but his fastball was around 92-93 mph (He was touching 98 mph before the injury) and his secondary pitches were not sharp (He showed a plus change-up before the injury). With another year separating him from the surgery, Cordier could be poised for a breakout 2009 season.'

Enjoy!

over 3 years ago Matt Klaassen 9 comments 0 recs |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

We should totally

Select Cordier in the Rule 5 draft!

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Oct 22, 2008 4:37 PM EDT reply actions

They'll retaliate by taking Lubanski!

quid pro quo, Dayton, quid pro quo

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by Matt Klaassen on Oct 22, 2008 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I think it's a good trade. :)

maybe a steal for us.

Don't forget to send your broken maples to the US Forest Service.

by 306008 on Oct 22, 2008 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions

no idea how Kila isn't the "riser"

i think they’re a year late on the “tumbler” with Bianchi. if anything, his stock rose quite a bit this year after taking a huge hit last year. if you want a tumbler, look no farther than Lubanski or B. Johnson.

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Oct 22, 2008 4:45 PM EDT reply actions

I know I don't follow the Royals minor leagues like a lot of you all do

but I had/have no idea who Alex Caldera and Jose Bonilla are. Am I going to get banned?

I don’t mind Aviles as the riser, given that he did it in the majors.

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by Matt Klaassen on Oct 22, 2008 4:54 PM EDT reply actions

D'oh

mixed up “Riser” and “Graduate.” See how I don’t know who I’m talking about?

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by Matt Klaassen on Oct 22, 2008 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Caldera

He’s a decent low-minors prospect. He has a decent, but unspectacular mix of stuff and control. Nothing blows you away, but a decent all around package. He was a 13-round draft pick in 2007 at age 21. So he pitched well (but not extremely well for the league) at the low-A level this year…at age 22. That’s more than a little old for that league. He’s someone who is going to have to rise fast if he wants to make it to the majors. He made Sickels top 20. I think in most top prospect lists, he’ll be more in the 20-30 range.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by Scott McKinney on Oct 22, 2008 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Bonilla

Might be the best catching prospect in the system. McCauley would be the other contender. Neither is a great prospect. Both are young and not particularly close to the majors. Lots of tools there that you hope will develop. Bonilla was in Sickels top 20.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by Scott McKinney on Oct 22, 2008 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions