questions about the minor league prospects

1. On Crow, your guess is as good as mine. There have been some theories floating around here, but I think the most prevalent (or the one I think of the most) is that they must be working on a pitch or something with him. The way he pitched in Spring Training suggests that he has the ability, but, as was brought up then, has a rough changeup that you brought up. I would guess they’re working on this, but without being there to see him throw, it’s hard to really know.

2. Keith Law just did this not too long ago and had them both in the top 25. I have limited knowledge about other teams’ prospects, but I’d place them both around 20.

3. Right now I would rank Moose above Hos just because of recent performance and overall proximity to being ready for the majors, but I think they could develop into a really great 3-4 combo in KC. I think they have similar skills, but Moose hits more for power right now.

4. I am a believer in DRob. I think he’ll be a light-hitting, fast, strong defensive CF along the lines of (dare I say it) Willie Mays Hayes or, on the bottom end, Juan Pierre. He started the season off on fire and has since cooled, but is picking it back up, which suggests to me that his bat is actually coming around. He doesn’t show the on-base and baserunning IQ that I really want, but that will take time to fully develop. He’s a potential defensive star in CF, from what I hear, and could potentially be a good leadoff hitter in KC at some point. I’m high on DRob now, though, so see what others think.

1. from all reports Crow is working on a changeup but he still has been leaving to many pitches up in the zone. his last few starts have been good so maybe he’s turning it around

2. Have to think that both will move up significantly with Monty maybe cracking the top ten and Moose at least in the top 25 if not higher.

3. In my opinion I’d rank Hos as the better prospect. His athleticism puts him slightly over moose. He has really raked this year and once he gets out of Wilmington his power should start to show more. Moose has done everything this year and can’t wait til he in KC but if Hos can untap all of his potential power along with his patience he can be a huge star,,, hopefully along with moose.

4. I think D-Rob is prob our top defensive OF but his bat might hold him back a little bit. When i saw him play he didnt look very comfortable at the dish. He flew out twice and that just bewilders me. With his speed just punch at the ball and beat it out. Think Lough has a chance to be our CF and would be about average but if D-Rob can put all his “tools” together i think he could be special. He made the best play I’ve seen last week when I was there.

1.) I’d imagine the changeup development is part of the reason for his problems. Perhaps the long layoff in-between MU and the Royals hurt him. Crow is not striking out enough guys and he has to change that or else he will never make it as a major league starter.

2.) Moustakas is probably lower top 20 (without knowing the overall scene) and Montgomery is better. Montgomery’s minor league numbers have always been good, and he should be pitching in KC in a year. Unless his control is too shaky.

3.) Moustakas is better. A lot more flexibility for where you can fit his bat. A lot more power. Moustakas has produced power. Hosmer has always hit like an old-timey first baseman and honestly Hosmer has to develop power or else he’s not gonna do much. Moustakas has feast or famine skills now and if he works hard enough, he’ll be an offensive force.

4.) Considering that Dyson is in a mystery zone, Robinson is moving up the system. But Robinson will need more than one hot start to really be seen as a future CFer. Stealing 60 bases and hitting .240 does not provide a benefit to the team. He’s going to need to be very lucky on where his hits wind up to really be more than Gathright 2. This team does not have a standout centerfield prospect right now. Norris isn’t hitting, neither is Richardson. Stealing 60 bases, getting thrown out 20 times, and hitting .240 is not major league quality.

1. Crow hasn’t pitched much until this season so I wold say he is fine. If he continues to pitch like this all season long then maybe his ceiling is that of a #4 or 5 but it’s too early to tell.

2. Right now Moose and Montgomery are probably at the bottom of the edge of the Top 20 with the chance of moving up. If Moose continues to rake like this he won’t trail many and could probably get into the Top 10. If Monty pitches this way all season he could get into the Top 15. As for Hos and Myers I could see both of them ending the season in the Top 30, which would be real strong for an organization to have 4 in the Top 30.

3. Moustakas is a better prospect currently. When Moose was drafted many thought he could be a .300+ hitter as well as having major pop, he hadn’t shown that ability up to this season but it appears he’s definitely turned a corner and the power is still there. I thought Moose was a 40 HR guy and he definitely hasn’t changed my opinion of that. As for Hos I think he’ll stay a gap to gap 40 double 15-25 HR guy, if he’s athletic enough to handle the corner outfield he could potentially have more value than Moose but until that move is made I’d leave Moose ahead of him.

4. I’ve moved Robinson into the 15th slot of my Royal minor leaguers due to as much of the struggles of others as to his own success. David Lough is the better CF prospect in my mind as he has more pop in the bat but he needs to become more patient. Patience is something Robinson is using quite a bit right now as he is on pace to shatter his career high in walks (51 BBs in ’08 on pace for 83). Robinson would be a valuable 4th outfielder off the bench but I doubt he could be a starter unless some more pop develops in that bat.

On the one hand, Robinson’s BB% is at his career high (13.4%), which is encouraging. How much does the park/league factor in here? I understand it’s a hitter’s league, but I wouldn’t think that would help BB% much. On the other hand, I think his K rate—15.5%, a career low—could very well be a product of his league. On the other other hand, his K rate has gone down every mL season, so he might actually be making good strides. On the other other other hand, his BABIP is a monstrous .388, suggesting that he’s going to come back to earth. On the other other other other hand, his LD% (19%) is about twice his career number, which suggests that he’s seeing the ball better than ever and putting good wood on it, even if he never hits for real power. He will need this to be more than just Gathright.

It seems that Robinson has been working hard to become an actual baseball player. Let’s give him a hand.

1.) What is the deal with Aaron Crow? He has above a 4.5 ERA and just seems so inconsistant. Are our coaches trying to develop his change-up and that is why he is somewhat struggling, or is he just struggling?

I’ve seen him pitch twice live. He’s definitely working on another pitch, but I’m not nearly as high on him as I am Montgomery. I could be wrong, but I don’t ever see Crow as a #1 – rather as a middle of the rotation guy. That said, he could be a really strong middle of the rotation guy.

2.) Where would you guys rank Mike Moustakas and Mike Montgomery in all of baseballs prospects, top 20.. top 10?

No idea

3.) Who is a better prospect, Mike Moustakas or Eric Hosmer? why?

I think Moose. His position (3B) is more valuable to us right now, and the guy is a hitting machine. Never seen a guy hit the ball as hard as him at the AA level. That said, I haven’t seen Hosmer live.

4.) Where does Derrick Robinson rank in our minor league system now? Is he on a hot streak or is he putting it all together? Can he be our center fielder of the future?

D Rob is never gonna be a great hitter, but if he can consistently get on base and hit around .270, he’s got the defensive ability to start in CF for us. His speed is definitely an asset and while he hits better than Gathright, he can’t jump over cars.

1. Like others have said he is working in another pitch, so I am still high on him. Others have said he can’t be a top of the rotation guy, but i disagree. He still has good stuff, he just hasn’t shown it yet. Doesn’t look like he’s hittin the majors this year though.

2. Not in the the top 10, but I would have them both in the top 20. If Moose can keep his average up and keep hitting for power, he will be in the top 10. And I wouldn’t be surprised if Myers and Hosmer are in the top 30 prospects as well.

3. I am and have as always been very high on Moose. I think he has the potential to put up Ryan-Braun-numbers. If he can keep his average above .300, he can potentially be a very good player. But saying that, Hosmer still has a lot of value. I would love to see him find the power, though. If he doesn’t, he will be another Billy Butler.

4. I hope he is putting it all together, but it is still too early to tell. I don’t think he can be a great CF, but if he can hit for average, he can be the next Juan Pierre.