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skillset
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Top 20 Royals Prospects by John Sickels
« Thread Started on Nov 9, 2007, 4:58pm »

http://www.minorleagueball.com/story/2007/11/9/172934/273#commenttop

Kansas City Royals Top 20 Prospect List for 2008

All grades are EXTREMELY PRELIMINARY and subject to change.

1. Mike Moustakas, SS, Grade B+

2. Luke Hochevar, RHP, Grade B

3. Billy Buckner, RHP, Grade B

4. Dan Cortes, RHP, Grade B

5. Julio Pimentel, RHP, Grade B-

6. Chris Lubanski, OF, Grade B-

7. Danny Duffy, LHP, Grade B-

8. Blake Wood, RHP, Grade C+

9. Blake Johnson, RHP, Grade C+

10. Carlos Rosa, RHP, Grade C+

11. Justin Huber, 1B, Grade C+

12. Craig Brazell, 1B, Grade C+ (old but I'd love to give him some at-bats)

13. Jeff Bianchi, SS, Grade C+ (not ready to drop him just yet)

14. Tyler Lumsden, LHP, Grade C+ (too high? Time to pull the plug?)

15. Sam Runion, RHP, Grade C+

16. Jarod Plummer, RHP, Grade C+ (sort of the Brazell of pitchers)

17. Adrian Ortiz, OF, Grade C+ (might drop to Grade C)

18. Mitch Maier, OF, Grade C (Looks too low. Might move up to C+)

19. Matt Mitchell, RHP, Grade C

20. Derrick Robinson, OF, Grade C

There are 17 other Royals players who will be in the book. Note that these grades are all very flexible at this point, especially the Grade C+/C guys. There is not much difference between them. Note that the grade is JUST SHORTHAND for what I think about the player, and is based on a blending of long-term "upside," 2007 and 2006 performance, stats, scouting, and (yes) instinct on my part. I probably spend more time worrying about how I have the Grade C+/C guys ranked than I do the stronger prospects, who are usually pretty easy.

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skillset
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Re: Top 20 Royals Prospects by John Sickels
« Reply #1 on Nov 9, 2007, 5:05pm »

My first reaction to the list is that I can't agrue with it much. My only beef would be not giving Carlos Rosa a B- grade and ranking him up there with Duffy, Lubanski, and Pimental.

Also where is Jose Duarte and Brent Fisher? I am surprised to see Ortiz and Robinson rank ahead of them. Also is Mitchell a better prospect than Jason Godin? This part of the ranking isn't a big deal as who is ranked #20 compared to #22 is not very relevant in the grand scheme of things. Odds are none of the guys ranked below 15 make it to KC.

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Re: Top 20 Royals Prospects by John Sickels
« Reply #2 on Nov 9, 2007, 5:45pm »

Thanks for posting those. I'd say Moustakas is a sure-shot "A" prospect. Maybe being at a lower-level will hurt his score.

I'll still put neroyalsfan11's prospect list at the bottom right corner of the site.

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FanOfJoseAgain!
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Re: Top 20 Royals Prospects by John Sickels
« Reply #3 on Nov 9, 2007, 6:47pm »

Quote:

Hmm, I agree with you that Rosa should be a B-. He's underrated because his stats aren't very sexy in Double-A. But his arm is very, very special.

Fisher I understand not being there, labrum injuries are a bitch. I don't think I'd have him in my top 20 right now. Still has nice potential though to be a Chuck James type (whom Picollo compared him to).

Duarte is right in that 20 range I think. But again, as he doesn't see many of these guys play and just checks out reports and stats, guess it's understandable. A good Double-A showing will shoot him up. But again, yea it doesn't really matter after 15 or 20, as it's pretty easy to argue a spot for a lot of guys after that.

Couple guys I expect to jack up in the rankings next year - Joe Dickerson, Edward Cegarra, Sean McCauley, and Harold Mozingo. Huge McCauley supporter, I think he was a real steal in the draft. BA says he has great defense (1.9 second "pop times"), but I've heard from other places his bat was very good as well.

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Re: Top 20 Royals Prospects by John Sickels
« Reply #4 on Nov 10, 2007, 11:15pm »

Quote:

Couple guys I expect to jack up in the rankings next year - Joe Dickerson, Edward Cegarra, Sean McCauley, and Harold Mozingo. Huge McCauley supporter, I think he was a real steal in the draft. BA says he has great defense (1.9 second "pop times"), but I've heard from other places his bat was very good as well.

I love McCauley too and am anxious to see if he gets an assignment straight to Burlington, IA or if they send him to short season ball. I don't think Dickerson will ever be much of a prospect. He is a left fielder who likely won't hit for much power and has a below average arm. I think his ceiling is a Shane Costa type and he probably won't get there. Mozingo is one of many interesting pitchers, I think he can be a major league reliever as his curve is very good. He just needs to get better command, much like 85% of pitchers out there. Cegarra is interesting due to his age and experience level. I expect him back at low-A Burlington next year.

Next year will be a big year for many prospects, can Hardy, Mario Lisson, Duarte and Brian McFall have success in AA? How do Patrick Norris and Adrian Ortiz do in full season ball? Clint Robinson, Matt Campbell, Nick Van Stratten, David Lough, Cegarra, Bryan Paukovits, Luis Cota, Chris Nicoll, Marc Maddox and Tyler Chambliss could all shoot up the list if they have big years next season. It is great that the Royals have this kind of depth in the system now. Each year we can track 10-15 possible breakout candidates. Plus I really like the top 15 on this list. I believe all of them can have a solid major league career if they stay healthy.

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