KC Star released their top 30 Royals prospects.
Overall, not a bad list. I could argue a spot here or there, but overall no horrible issues.
Here is the top 10
1. RHP Kyle Zimmer
2. RHP Yordano Ventura
3. SS Raul Mondesi
4. OF Jorge Bonifacio
5. 3B Hunter Dozier
6. RHP Miguel Almonte
7. OF Bubba Starling
8. LHP Sean Manaea
9. OF Elier Hernandez
10. RHP Jason Adam
Bubba Starling Scouting Report
Nathaniel Stoltz at Rotographs put together over 1200 words on Bubba Starling. A lot of the same as has been written before, everything great but contact. Here are some of the highlights:
His home park in Lexington seems to inflate his stats
There's some leverage in the swing itself, and there's some strength and power in Starling's athletic frame, but while his power production (13 HR, .156 ISO) looks solid on the surface, there are significant issues.
Home: .271/.341/.496, 12 HR
Road: .211/.317/.292, 1 HR
According to StatCorner, Lexington's home park has a 155 park factor for right-handed homers. When he left the friendly confines of Whitaker Bank Ballpark, he showed very little ability to put the ball over the fence.
Looks like the Royals already have Starling in a RF platoon right already.
... mid-level scenario for Starling is probably that of a second-division center fielder who always tantalizes due to his tools. Players like Drew Stubbs,Cameron Maybin, Michael Saunders, and Justin Maxwell come to mind. It's also not too hard to see 2009-2012 B.J. Upton production potentially coming from Starling.
And a reasonable conclusion.
Nearing an age where development needs to happen, Starling still has very glaring issues at the plate, and anyone who still places him in the upper echelon of baseball's outfield prospects needs to get realistic, even if a glimmer of star potential remains. At the same time, those writing him off as a bust who will never be much more than a replacement-level contributor are also likely guilty of a rush to judgment. There are certainly problems with Starling's game right now, but his development of a sound batting eye has been a big positive and his superior athleticism remains quite present. The outlook for his future is mixed and should put him behind the first couple of tiers of outfield prospects in dynasty formats, though he has the sort of natural talent that always bears watching, because if adjustments take, he'll rocket right to the top of lists.
Possible reason behind Dayton's decisions, he's thinking too much.
It's easy to forget the complexity of baseball. And it's easy to ignore. I often think about when John Schuerholz was GM of the Braves, and there was a prospect he wanted to know about. He turned to current Royals GM Dayton Moore, who was working for the Braves then, and asked if the kid could play. Moore talked about the kid's life, his aptitude for learning, the importance of giving him good coaching, his parents, his school system, on and on for way too long. When the meeting ended, Schuerholz quietly called over Moore and, in pretty direct terms, said that when he asks if a kid can play, he is looking for a "Yes," or a "No." The other stuff is important, sure. There just isn't much time for it.
Arizona Fall League Update
The Royals brass has got to be ecstatic with the hitter results so far, just one walk in 51 at bats:
Player | POS | G | AB | HR | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG |
Jorge Bonifacio | OF | 4 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.286 | 0.267 | 0.429 |
Orlando Calixte | SS | 3 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0.333 | 0.400 | 0333 |
Cheslor Cuthbert | 3B | 5 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0.222 | 0.222 | 0.389 |
Lane Adams | OF | 3 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0.091 | 0.091 | 0.091 |
Not a huge sample, but Baez looks good with 5 Ks in 3 IP.
Player | G | ERA | IP | R | HR | BB | SO |
Angel Baez | 1 | 6.00 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
Jason Adam | 1 | 3.86 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
Noel Arguelles | 1 | 9.00 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
Malcom Culver | 1 | 0.00 | 2.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Completely unrelated baseball "comedy".