Grade the Royals 2008 Amateur Draft
by Scott McKinney on Aug 16, 2008 10:15 AM EDT
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Round |
Player |
School |
Bonus |
|
1 |
Eric Hosmer, 1B |
American Heritage HS, Plantation , Fla. |
$6,000,000 |
|
1s |
Mike Montgomery, LHP |
Hart HS, Newhall , Calif. |
$988,000 |
|
2 |
Johnny Giovatella, 2B |
New Orleans |
$787,000 |
|
3 |
Tyler Sample, RHP |
Mullen HS, Denver |
$500,000 |
|
4 |
Tim Melville, RHP |
Holt HS, Wentzville , Mo. |
$1,250,000 |
|
5 |
John Lamb, LHP |
Laguna Hills ( Calif. ) HS |
$165,000 |
|
6 |
Alex Llanos, CF |
Puerto Rico Baseball Academy, Gurabo, P.R. |
$125,000 |
|
7 |
Jason Esposito, 3B |
Amity Regional HS, Woodbridge , Conn. |
|
|
8 |
Malcolm Culver, RHP |
Palmdale ( Calif. ) HS |
$125,000 |
|
9 |
J.D. Alfaro, SS |
Grayson County ( Texas ) JC |
$75,000 |
|
10 |
Mauricio Matos, C |
Clinton HS, Bronx , N.Y. |
$150,000 |
|
11 |
Malcolm Bronson, OF |
Jasper ( Texas ) HS |
|
|
12 |
Keven Caldwell, OF |
Spartanburg Methodist (S.C.) JC |
$65,000 |
|
13 |
John Flanagan, LHP |
Southwestern Illinois JC |
$85,000 |
|
14 |
Chase Hentges, RHP |
Shakopee ( Minn. ) HS |
|
|
15 |
Alberto Espinosa, 1B |
Broward ( Fla. ) CC |
|
|
16 |
Derrick Saito, LHP |
Cal Poly |
$100,000 |
|
17 |
Jacob Kuebler, 3B |
Lincoln ( Neb. ) Southeast HS |
$150,000 |
|
18 |
Carlo Testa, OF |
Belmont |
|
|
19 |
Miguel Moctezuma, C |
Central Oklahoma |
|
|
20 |
Shawn Griffin, OF |
Tennessee |
|
|
21 |
Jacob Theis, RHP |
Mountlake Terrace ( Wash. ) HS |
|
|
22 |
Blaine Hardy, LHP |
Lewis-Clark State ( Idaho ) College |
|
|
23 |
Dale De Schepper, RHP |
Mount San Jacinto ( Calif. ) JC |
|
|
24 |
Jason Morales, 3B |
UNC Pembroke |
|
|
25 |
Carson Bryant, RHP |
Azusa Pacific ( Calif. ) |
|
|
26 |
Ryan Morgan, RHP |
Rockhurst ( Mo. ) |
|
|
27 |
Timothy Huber, LHP |
Nebraska-Omaha |
|
|
28 |
Gregory Billo, RHP |
Sandburg HS, Orland Park , Ill. |
5th Round $$$ |
|
29 |
Beau Brett, 1B |
Ferris HS, Spokane , Wash. |
|
|
30 |
Dieterick Dodridge, LHP |
Ogemaw Heights HS, West Branch, Mich. |
|
|
31 |
Ryan Curl, OF |
St. Francis Desales HS, Columbus , Ohio |
|
|
32 |
Rey Cotilla, RHP |
Miami-Dade CC |
|
|
33 |
Eric Swegman, RHP |
Young Harris ( Ga. ) JC |
|
|
34 |
Brett Richardson, RHP |
Wenatchee Valley ( Wash. ) CC |
|
|
35 |
Chris Balcom-Miller, RHP |
West Valley ( Calif. ) JC |
|
|
36 |
Nick Purdy, RHP |
St.Mary's SS, Grafton, Ont. |
|
|
37 |
Bradin Hagens, RHP |
Merced ( Calif. ) JC |
|
|
38 |
Jason Thompson, RHP |
Columbus State ( Ga. ) |
|
|
39 |
Ryan Modglin, RHP |
Scott City ( Mo. ) HS |
|
|
40 |
Pernell Halliman, RHP |
Jackson State |
|
|
41 |
Doug Joyce, C |
Stanwood ( Wash. ) HS |
|
|
42 |
Marc Oslund, RHP |
West HS, Torrance , Calif. |
|
|
43 |
Cory Kiefer, RHP |
Valley View HS, Moreno Valley , Calif. |
|
|
44 |
Patrick Johnson, OF |
Colony HS, Ontario , Calif. |
|
|
45 |
Raymond Anderson, OF |
Lassiter HS, Marietta , Ga. |
|
|
46 |
William Beckwith, 1B |
West Lowndes HS, Columbus, Miss. |
|
|
47 |
Stephen Gilgenbach, LHP |
Arkansas-Little Rock |
|
|
48 |
Terrence Buchanan, SS |
Mount Carmel HS, San Diego |
|
|
49 |
Alan Salgado, 3B |
San Ysidro HS, San Diego |
|
|
50 |
Travis Jones, C |
Sabino HS, Tucson |
Bold = signed
The Royals signed 27 of their first 29 picks, including at least seven over slot bonuses.
49 comments
|
0 recs |
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Comments
Great Draft
Essentiall got 3 first rounders(Hosmer, Melville, Montgomery) and 2 second rounders(G-Man,Sample). Nice to see this team investing in the future.
Every fight is a food fight when you’re a cannibal.
-- Demetri Martin
+1
Investing in future is risky, but still slightly wiser than investing in past
OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG
by Matt Klaassen on Aug 16, 2008 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions
with the usual caveat
that it will be several years before we can truly “grade” this draft, I’d give this draft an A-. I don’t blame the Royals for not being able to sign Esposito—they threw first-round money at the guy, so it wasn’t for a lack of effort. It would have been an A if they hadn’t had to sign as many players over slot, but this is a very minor complaint.
one other note
the Royals look like they picked HS players almost exclusively in the first ten rounds (only one JC pick, and as far as I can tell, no university picks). So there is more risk with this draft as well, and these players will probably take longer to be ready. I wouldn’t lower my draft grade over that, but it is something to consider.
by DarthYoshi on Aug 16, 2008 10:29 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Very valid point
One small correction, Giavotella was drafted out of the University of New Orleans in the second round. But yes, outside of the first and second round talent guys (Hosmer, Melville, Montgomery, Giavotella, and Sample) this is a higher upside, higher risk draft. In my opinion that is exactly the way a small market team should draft. The only way a small market team is going to elite talent major leaguers is to draft and develop them. I’ll take the risk if it means a higher upside.
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by Scott McKinney on Aug 16, 2008 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions
you're right on Johnny G
I completely forgot that.
I don’t know if it’ll happen, but it’d be interesting if Moustakas and Hosmer played together at all during their respective stays in the minors, to see how they’d work as a 3-4 punch in the lineup.
To be fair, he IS really small, thus easy to miss
OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG
by Matt Klaassen on Aug 16, 2008 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Wasn’t Lamb supposed to be an end of the first round early second round guy BEFORE he broke his collarbone (right bone?)?
Don't forget to send your broken maples to the US Forest Service.
A couple drafts
like this year’s and last years draft, and we will have one of the best systems in baseball. It is a very encouraging sign after years of futility in the draft to have some positive momentum going. A great day to be a Royals fan!
Our minor league system is greatly improved now as compared to what it was going into the season
The system is still light on position players, but it helps a lot to have two position players in the system who are top 50 MLB prospects. And the Royals have one of the best and deepest set of pitching prospects in baseball. It will be interesting to see how BA and BP rank the Royals system this offseason.
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by Scott McKinney on Aug 16, 2008 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions
The key
for our minor league system to continue to improve will be for some of our middle round talent to pan out to go with our elite level prospects, if that happens our farm system will be especially deep. I do agree the lack of position players is concerning, but it may take a few years to restock the system with them, or pitching surpluses can be traded for them.
1,389 Players Were
Drafted before Mike Piazza in 1988.
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Aug 16, 2008 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions
+1
This true measure of DMGM’s skill will not be if Hosmer suceeds — the first few picks are usually going to make it (although there is significant risk, of course). Even signing over-slot guys like Melville (who people thought was a first-rounder). That’s good, but it’s not getting the guys everyone agreed are talented, but getting major leagers in the later rounds where things are more dicey.
OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG
by Matt Klaassen on Aug 16, 2008 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
But...
the first few picks are usually going to make it (although there is significant risk, of course).
Shhhhh. Be werrrrrrrry quiet. We’re hunting superstars.
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
“Let me tell you something,” the grand old scout, Art Stewart, says as we walk away from the batting cage after Lubanski’s first-ever batting session at Kauffman Stadium. “You will remember this day. You will remember this day for the rest of your life.”
OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG
by Matt Klaassen on Aug 16, 2008 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
At least he still might make the majors
Unlike, say, Colt Griffin.
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
I think 3 funny responses is about the limit in one post
Every fight is a food fight when you’re a cannibal.
-- Demetri Martin
What about responses to responses?
Does this count? Or is it just not funny?
Hey, it’s Saturday morning and I’m avoiding chores…
You’re right, I’ll back off.
OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG
by Matt Klaassen on Aug 16, 2008 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions
GMDM is doing it right.
GMDM has rebuilt the bottom of our farm system in just two years. And by adding an extra low A stop we’re making it tougher to advance through the system. I’ve posted several times about building a base. Now everyone is starting to see the results. Pitching first, defense second, offense third. That’s the way he is doing it.
Don't forget to send your broken maples to the US Forest Service.
I gave this draft an A
with the caveat that it is much to early to really judge this thing. Still, with Hosmer signed and the Royals willing to pay above slot money, i believe this is exactly the type of draft the organization needed.
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
Not sure how it could be anything other than an A
We snagged two top 15 overall draft prospects, 3 of the top 6 prep pitchers that signed, and went with high upside picks throughout the entire draft.
You know you’re an eternal pessimist if you can’t tip your cap to DM, Ladnier, and Glass after this one.
Founder of the Rowdy Hardy Fan Club
Pretty much an A
My only quibble is that they went so overboard with high school pitchers with upside – I would have liked a bit more diversity in their approach. But you can’t quibble with the results too much. They netted the top high school pitcher in the draft, the top high school hitter, got a polished college second base bat in Giovatella, two of the top ten high school pitchers in Montgomery and Sample and landed some interesting high upside arms later on. The only thing keeping it from being an A+ is the failure to sign Esposito.
Today is a good day to be a Royals fan.
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
Riddle me this
BA is fawning over the Red Sox spending over $10MM in bonus money on this year’s draft, saying it may be a first in draft history.
http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=463
I just calculated our known bonus payouts from the above list, and someone please double check my math, but I came up with $10,565,000; again, that’s only including the numbers listed – many bonuses have not been released, including the bonus to Travis Jones.
Why are we not getting any pub? Are we just forgotten as usual?
Founder of the Rowdy Hardy Fan Club
Sawks bias
I would think BA would put us in the TOP 5 for the overall draft.
Every fight is a food fight when you’re a cannibal.
-- Demetri Martin
Kila is still holding the Royals back with his less than ideal size
OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG
by Matt Klaassen on Aug 16, 2008 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Callis had us in his top two after the draft
assuming we signed Hosmer and Melville.
Founder of the Rowdy Hardy Fan Club
I like the Royals pattern of position players in first round like Hosmer and Moustakas
then go for pitching with other top round picks. Also, I think the strategy of picking top talent like Melville and Esposito is really smart. KC got a top 15 talent in Melville in round 4. Excellent even though Esposito didn’t sign for $1.5 mil – that’s mid first round money. Hope Vanderbilt is worth it. With Meville, Montgomery and Sample, KC got 3 of top 5-10 HS pitchers. Don’t know about paying 6 figures for others like BIllo, Kuebler and Saito but in MLB, $150K isn’t much if they think the kid has potential. Lamb looks like a sleeper pick due to injury but if he recovers from his injury, another great pick.
Crazy thing about the draft is that if 3-4 players become big leaguers, it is considered a great draft. If you get one All Star and all the rest flop, it is a good/ok draft.
I’d like to see the Royals continue to sign the Latin American talent like they did last year. It provides another layer of depth in the minor league system that can’t come out of US. Example like Cegerra and Herrera are guys who came from other sources besides MLB draft.
The Royals deserve some publicity and credit for their over slot signings, but...
The Royals were going to spend a lot because of the huge amount they had to give up for their #1 (a lot more than the Bosox, considering their draft position). If you take out the first round money, I think the Bosox would be ahead by a lot.
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by Scott McKinney on Aug 16, 2008 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions
They also
Offered $2 mill to Alex Meyer, who turned it down in favor of Kentucky
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
he and our 7th rounders are idiots.
Don't forget to send your broken maples to the US Forest Service.
He is slightly smarter than Esposito
Every fight is a food fight when you’re a cannibal.
-- Demetri Martin
sooooo hot
OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG
by Matt Klaassen on Aug 16, 2008 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions
This was a publicity shot for the UK Hockey Club.
I have to think they made some money off it.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
by James Quinn on Aug 17, 2008 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree
Founder of the Rowdy Hardy Fan Club
That's it I'm packing up and moving to Kentucky
Every fight is a food fight when you’re a cannibal.
-- Demetri Martin
It's got to be an A.
Any draft where you basically end up with four first-round-level picks all signed has to be an A. We’re making a big deal about the money, but let’s be realistic: this draft cost less than a year of below-average production in left field.
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
Stop beating my dead horse!
OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG
by Matt Klaassen on Aug 16, 2008 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I celebrate his entire catalogue
OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG
by Matt Klaassen on Aug 16, 2008 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions
What the hell are you doing here?
Shouldn’t you be married?
OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG
by Matt Klaassen on Aug 17, 2008 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions
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