Which Royal Minor Leaguer has had the most impressive season so far?
by kcscoliny on Jul 15, 2010 7:35 PM EDT
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PrintPrior to the season the Royals had an upper half prospect group with a couple possible stars and some decent depth. Wow that has changed while the list of Royal prospects having a career year is long and the talent is looking as deep as at anytime that I can remember as a Royal fan. Without an absolute change of fortune there really is no reason why the Royals wouldn't be expected to be ranked in the Top 3 of every scout grouping of talent.
Whether it's been position players or starting pitchers the Royals have a prospect performing at nearly every level. Which one do you think has had the most impressive season so?
Mike Moustakas 3B NW Arkansas Naturals .349/.414/.690 21 HR 25 2b 26/41 BB/K still only 21 years old Moose made Arvest Ballpark his personal Coors Field along with his teammates with a 1.388 Home OPS. Home splits aside it is nice that scouts like the play even the past hater Keith Law seems to have come around and his Left/Right splits are pretty even 1.057/1.128 Left/Right
Wil Myers C Burlington Bees/Wilmington Blue Rocks .312/.420/.507 10 HR 23 2b 1 3b 52/62 BB/K only 19 years old in High A. If it wasn't for the defense Myers could be ready for AA right now offensively. He's a natural with the bat and could be the combination of Moustakas and Hosmer, patient approach with power.
Eric Hosmer 1b Wilmington Blue Rocks .344/.418/.532 7 HR 27 2b 5 3b 40/37 BB/K bounce back season by The Hos talent was magnified by his 4 for 5 approach in the Futures Game. He showed his full repetoire in that game working the count spoiling pitches covering the plate working to opposite field and turning on a fastball and hitting into the gap. MVP of the Carolina League offensively so far by a good distance.
Clint Robinson 1b NW Arkansas Naturals .314/.392/.591 18 HR 30 2b 3 3b 38/55 BB/K equally huge split as Moose with a 1.227 HM OPS and .788 Rd OPS but with Moose going to AAA should be the front runner win the Texas League MVP.
Kila Ka'aihue 1b Omaha Royals .306/.463/.584 18 HR 15 2b 77/55 BB/K The KilaMonster has continued his assault on AAA pitching after struggling last season. #1 in the PCL in OPS, OBP, he's drawn 18 more walks than anyone else in the league.
John Lamb SP Wilmington Blue Rocks 98.7 IP 2.58 FIP 10.22 K/9 1.05 WHIP .297 BABIP 1.48 ERA Only 19 yo Lamb has been lights out actually performing better at High A with a 2.08 FIP and currently riding a 26 IP nonearned run streak. This kid is quickly coming up on Montgomery as the best pitcher in the system if not pushing to be the best player overall.
Chris Dwyer SP Northwest Arkansas Natural 84 IP 3.02 FIP 9.54 K/9 1.21 WHIP .301 BABIP 2.74 ERA Dwyer really wasn't supposed to be this good so soon as a college lefty "project" but he has dominated with his fb and curve at at AA and has been sensational since a 4.78 FIP start in April, May 3.46, 1.74 June and a 2.05 July. He is just another addition to a deep system.
I didn't include Montgomery because of the injury but he definitely could be included in the mix if not at the top of the pile. Anyway you cut it I doubt if too many systems have had this type of start.
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Lamb
because he seems to be getting better as the season goes along.
R.I.P. cwhitman412, Frederick0220, & Mets2k9
My thoughts exactly
I keep thinking he can’t keep up what he’s doing and then he’ll pull off a multigame stretch of even better performances. I liked the guy before the season, but I’m really impressed with him now.
"Strikeouts are boring! Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic."
by MinnesotaRoyal on Jul 16, 2010 7:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Hos, Myers and Moose have been impressive but I voted Lamb based off
age and experience level. He is only 19 and dominating players 2-4 years older and doing a better job of it than older prospects like Matusz, Monty, Duffy have prior.
Checkout Royals minor league notes at www.14for77.blogspot.com
Thats basically why I voted for Myers
the fact that he was hitting like that as a catcher at that age… Curious to see how he holds up.
C'MON CHEN!!! ---Will Ferrell
by averagegatsby on Jul 15, 2010 10:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Hosmer
Offensive stud in a hitters graveyard. More Walks than K’s. No real split, save for a a little less power against Lefties.
And, and someone correct me, good glove.
Incredibly refreshing that there are numerous exceptional candidates though.
I’ve been pulling for Hosmer for the sole reason that if he moves quickly Moore will finally be forced to cal up Kila.
"Infield hits are sexy, because they require technique."
-Ichiro
by VivaLosBravos on Jul 16, 2010 1:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Moose hitting 5th Omaha Lineup
Lucas – Falu’s in the Carribean
Ankiel
Gordon
Kila
Moose
Jai Miller
Parraz – really came on after a bad April
Pina
Mertins
Anyone watch No reservations I like it
Checkout Royals minor league notes at www.14for77.blogspot.com
Moose's AAA debut
I watched it tonight. The sound of the ball off the bat really grabbed my attention in his first PA, a grounder to second iirc. Ankiel also absolutely stung a ball to CF that was caught for a tough luck out.
"Infield hits are sexy, because they require technique."
-Ichiro
by VivaLosBravos on Jul 16, 2010 1:41 AM EDT up reply actions
I voted Lamb
Tough call, and Monte (sans injury) would also be a reasonable choice.
BTW, I’m listening to the second 1/2 of a Blue Rocks doubleheader, and John Lamb had 4 Ks in the second inning alone (the third K victim reached base on an “Olivo”). The guy is just nasty.
i'm listening too
Myers has an RBI triple in the game. DH’ing this game.
R.I.P. cwhitman412, Frederick0220, & Mets2k9
I listened to the 1st half Baumann made quick work of the Keys
listening to the ORoyals game now
Checkout Royals minor league notes at www.14for77.blogspot.com
Not sure what to think of Baumann
is he a legit prospect?
nah not a legit one maybe a Top 30 Royal prospect
perhaps a LOOGY see how he handles AA in offensive environment
Checkout Royals minor league notes at www.14for77.blogspot.com
yeah
Lamb is one of the better scouting finds across baseball the past few years. he was known before his senior year, but they liked him enough to nab him in the 5th anyways despite the injury that kept him out that spring. now he’s one of the best pitching prospects in baseball.
R.I.P. cwhitman412, Frederick0220, & Mets2k9
Kila gets my vote
Insane numbers against the best MiLB competition. I can see the age arguments for the guys doing it at advanced levels, but an OPS over 1000 at AAA, that’s impressive.
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by SagehenMacGyver47 on Jul 15, 2010 8:15 PM EDT reply actions
I voted Hosmer:
Only because I’m under the impression that Hosmer was rated as a slightly better hitting prospect than Mous coming out of high school. And now he’s blowing away the numbers that Mous put up in the same league/stadium at the same age. And he retains all the same tools that made him one of the highest rated HS hitters in [a hyperbolically long period]. Lamb is #2, Myers is #3, and potential minor league player of the year, Moustakas is #4. Insane.
Yeah, that really makes you realize
what a solid core of prospects we have going. And that’s not even mentioning the players that are around and can be potential average or slightly above average contributors in the majors.
"Strikeouts are boring! Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic."
by MinnesotaRoyal on Jul 16, 2010 7:40 AM EDT up reply actions
If you were on the fence with Lamb he had a pretty good night
6 IP 1 H 0 R 8 K 1 BB 1 HBP a retaliation pitch probably for 2 Rocks getting hit prior.
Stretches the scoreless earned run streak to 32 IP
Checkout Royals minor league notes at www.14for77.blogspot.com
nice
i stopped listening after a while. Lamb is badass.
R.I.P. cwhitman412, Frederick0220, & Mets2k9
holy schlamoly...
quick philosophical question: How frequently does a player’s “ceiling” change? Has John Lamb’s? Or has his ceiling stayed the same and he’s just closer to it?
I still say Hosmer’s having the best season, and mostly because I feel like he’s made a bigger leap towards a higher ceiling than any of the rest. I don’t think Myers will stick at catcher (if his defensive improvements were even somewhat encouraging, I think he’d be number 1) and I’m not sure (truly not sure) whether his ceiling as a hitter is quite what Hosmer’s is. As for Lamb, pitchers are less reliable and I’m not sure (again, truly not sure, as in I’m not a scout and have no idea)) he’s got Cy Young stuff while I am sure (only due to pre-draft reports) that Hosmer, if he reaches his ceiling, is a middle-order mid-ballot-MVP-caliber monster.
by billexgordler on Jul 15, 2010 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions
ceiling goes up when velocity improves
Goldstein said Lamb is up to 95 at times now. has Lamb in his top 20 now, and Goldstein is all about upside.
R.I.P. cwhitman412, Frederick0220, & Mets2k9
But isn't velocity improvement implied in "projectability"...
…and isn’t that almost always included in the idea of a ceiling?
by billexgordler on Jul 15, 2010 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions
sure
but i don’t think a lot of people saw the big spike in velocity coming.
R.I.P. cwhitman412, Frederick0220, & Mets2k9
I definitely think Myers ceiling is every bit as good as Hosmers
Myers has more present power and the same amount of patience and more athleticism. His only downside is the inexperience at the position which he’ll either improve or be moved to corner outfield where his position strength will be stronger than Hos. I am a huge believer in Myers I believe he’s our best prospect.
Lambs ceiling is definitely changing but he has a ways to go. I think many in the scouting biz will have him as a #1 type by seasons end
Checkout Royals minor league notes at www.14for77.blogspot.com
Honest questions:
But wasn’t Hosmer a once-in-a-few-years-type offensive prospect? And doesn’t that suggest that his ceiling is higher than Myers (who slipped to the fourth round…)? Or are Myers’s 400+ plate appearances enough to show us that his ceiling was mis-judged by all 30 teams?
by billexgordler on Jul 15, 2010 11:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I believe Myers played in a worse league
So people speculated that he wasn’t as good as his numbers. Hosmer must be the ultimate “pure hitter,” because Myers’s tools are superior in almost every capacity. Hosmer may have a higher offensive ceiling, but Myers is likely to be more valuable due to aforementioned tools as well as position considerations.
I actually voted Hos, because I was convinced he was a bust after last year and he’s flat raking.
Hosmer was the higher pick and definitely higher ranked coming into his draft as opposed to Myers
but Myers was a first round type of talent by alot of people. Some had them taking him in the 1st round in mock drafts. I’ve watched them both and they both have similar approaches but Myers is definitely the better athlete and I think he has more present power. Its just one season but Myers has virtually no hitter split and I like the fact that he’s righthanded and has probably seen more right hand pitching in his years than Hos has lefties. Positionally Myers will be in the more valuable position as well no matter if its C, CF or COF.
It’s a good problem to have the debate either way.
Checkout Royals minor league notes at www.14for77.blogspot.com
I voted Myers
Moustakas has been great, Hosmer as well, and Lamb has obviously come on strong, but given Myers’ age and the relative lack of holes in offensive game, I picked him for subjective reasons.
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He has too much time in the majors to qualify as a prospect
Checkout Royals minor league notes at www.14for77.blogspot.com
justifiably so
"Infield hits are sexy, because they require technique."
-Ichiro
by VivaLosBravos on Jul 16, 2010 1:42 AM EDT up reply actions
We don't have
Many chances to say this. BUT…………Great Job Dayton. This post is the sign, how many other teams can have a debate with this many guys in the mix. I find it hard to imagine that any of the big three (Moose, Hos and Myers) will be busts. Furthermore, they seem to be future stars.
Lamb is putting up some unbelievable numbers. This guy is going to end the year in AA if this keeps up!!
I think I have died and gone to heaven!! Duffy,Monty,Lamb,Dwyer,Crow,Melville, etc
It is going to be good here in KC, I feel it coming
Don't let Glassuxx see you writing that
Optimistic fool.
"Strikeouts are boring! Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic."
by MinnesotaRoyal on Jul 16, 2010 7:42 AM EDT up reply actions
i voted moustakas
because i think what he’s done this year is amazing. however, i don’t consider him our top prospect. the only knock on myers is that he’s not currently good at catching and he’ll have to show off his athleticism in the OF.
I really want to vote Robinson
Just because he started so far under the radar compared to everyone. But it’s hard to do that when Moose has done even better at the same level.
My overall vote is split between Myers and Lamb, as both have been very impressive. Myers wins it out.
I wanted to see
separate polls for pitchers and positions players. I picked Lamb, as I think he’s got the most potential with Montgomery probably being second.
For position players, I would rank it Hosmer, Kila, Moose, Myers
Myers last, really?
His numbers are less gaudy, but still very impressive overall.
took into account
he’s not really doing great at his position catcher, and will probably have to learn a new position.
I use the term “learn” loosely, because most MLB players have probably played all over the field by the team they are in the minors when you take into account college, high school, little league, independent leagues, etc.
John Lamb Baseball America player of the week
- on this weeks hot sheet
I Would Love
For him to be real. Brazil should produce a lot of good baseball players. Apparently Japanese immigrants are popularizing the game there.
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Jul 16, 2010 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah, I don't know if he is real, especially at his age
but going from non-prospect obscurity (and possibly a few bad months away from being released) to being one of the Texas League leaders in OBP and OPS is pretty impressive.
What was the deal with the Japanese influx into Brazil, anyway?
I know it mostly happened after WWII, but why Brazil? Was there some sort of transition program to help them settle, find jobs, etc.??
"Now…put that in your [BLEEP]ing pipe and smoke it." -Hal McRae
"I was doing this when BJ was in his father's nutsack." -Renzo Gracie
by Sweep_the_Leg on Jul 16, 2010 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions
It started
As workers on Coffee plantations. The Italian government stopped Italians from emigrating to Brazail on account of working conditions, so they turned to Japan in the early 1900’s. And then, like all immigration, once there is sizeable foothold of a minority community in a foreign country, that in itself attracts further migrants.
Why wasn't Alex Gordon on that list?
Given enough velocity even a pig will fly
by MarioVanPeebles Republic of China on Jul 16, 2010 7:12 PM EDT reply actions
dreaming of the future
Offense:
C – Myers/Pina
1B/DH – Hosmer/Butler/Kila
2B – someone/JohnnyG
3B – Moose
SS – Colon
LF – someone/Parraz
CF – Robinson/Lough
RF – Gordon/Hosmer/Myers
Pitching
Greinke
Montgomery
Lamb
Hochevar
Dwyer
Soria
Crow
Duffy
etc.
As we can see, there are some holes even in the midst of this great year. This will require Dayton making some good trades and FA signings. (YIKES!) Not to mention that some of these guys won’t pan out (I didn’t include some of the new guys b/c they haven’t signed yet and/or have no chance of being up with Greinke and Butler). It’s exciting but not finished.
Hosmer goes yard again...
That makes 3 in 4 games in AA. I’d like to reaffirm my vote for Eric Hosmer as Royals prospect with the most impressive season.
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