Results tagged ‘ Noel Arguelles ’
Baseball America’s Top 10 Royals Prospects
It’s that time of year again.
It’s the time where Royals fans can forget about whose on the team right now and look ahead to the future. Because, y’know, we don’t do enough of that around here.
Baseball America, as part of it’s annual rankings, has released it’s list of the Royals’ top 10 prospects for the 2013 season. There’s no doubt in my mind that you will be very familiar with most of the names they included, while others may require a little clarification.
Wil Myers
1. Wil Myers OF age 21
Wil Myers just may be the top prospect in the game. If not, then he’s certainly in the discussion. We’ve done plenty of Wil Myers coverage here at Royal Blues, and I’m sure you have all heard about his unreal 2012 season that ended with him not getting a call up to Kansas City. Dayton Moore may have kept Myers down in Omaha to delay his service time. If that is the case, barring something major happening in the coming months, Wil could remain in Omaha come Opening Day 2013 for the first 30 or so games. After that, right field should be his if it isn’t already. All this being said, I expect Dayton’s man-crush on Jeff Francoeur to start in right to begin next season. But expect to see Wil in Royals’ blue sometime next season.
2. Kyle Zimmer RHP age 21
Kyle Zimmer
Before having surgery after the season to remove “loose bodies” in his right elbow, the Royals’ no. 1 draft pick was fairly impressive. In 9 starts (3 in Rookie Ball, 6 in Low-A), Zimmer was 3-3 with a 2.03 ERA and 42 K to 8 BB in 40 innings pitched. His fastball clocks in anywhere routinely between 92-98 mph, while his hard-biting curveball is rated as the organization’s best by Baseball America. He also throws a decent slider and is developing a solid change-up to add to his repertoire. Kyle has the makings of a pitcher who could advance through the Royals’ system quickly and could be in AA NW Arkansas (or possibly AAA Omaha) by next season’s end. He should develop into a top-of-the-rotation pitcher.
3. Bubba Starling OF age 20
Bubba Starling
It’s too bad Bubba isn’t knocking on the door to Kansas City yet like Mike Trout and Bryce Harper did in 2012. But Mr. Starling is still in need of work in the minors thanks to his limited baseball past. Regardless, he had a good showing in his first season in the Rookie league. In 200 AB, he worked a slash of .275/.371/.485, hit 20 XBH (8 doubles, 2 triples, 10 HR), 33 RBI and had 10 SB in 11 attempts. However, he struck out 70 times in his 200 AB, which will need to be addressed this offseason. Starling is still a fairly raw player, but his combination of power, speed, and major league-ready defense will allow the Royals to overlook some of his short-comings. It’ll still be a while before Bubba makes his way to The K, as it looks like he’ll begin the 2013 season in Low-A ball.
4. Yordano Ventura RHP age 21
Yordano Ventura
“Lil’ Pedro” came on in a big way last season, earning him a spot on the World Team in the Future’s Game, as well as a promotion to AA NW Arkansas. At 5’11″ and 140 lbs, Ventura is able to dial-up his fastball (rated by BA as the organization’s best) to triple digits at times, but normally lobs it in the 94-97 mph range. He also throws a hard-breaking curveball that he routinely uses to get hitters to chase when he’s ahead in the count. His change-up is still developing, but he just needs to use it more often for it to be effective. It’s still a question as to whether his height will translate well to being a successful starting pitcher in the major leagues. Ventura likely will start 2013 in NW Arkansas before being promoted to Omaha and possibly Kansas City before season’s end.
5. Jake Odorizzi RHPage 22
Jake Odorizzi
Thank goodness Jake Odorizzi’s strong season allowed us to slightly overlook Mike Montgomery and Chris Dwyer’s stinkers. Seen as they key to the Zack Greinke trade, Izzy saw his 2012 season end in Kansas City. While not overpowering, he’s able to deliver all four of his pitches well, while none of them standout more than the others. His low-to-mid 90s fastball has some sink to it, making it probably his best pitch. He has a smooth, repeatable delivery, but needs to improve on his command to make it all come together. He’ll get a chance in spring training to earn a spot in the rotation. Even if he doesn’t do so, don’t expect him to stay in Omaha for long.
6. Jorge Bonifacio OF age 19
Jorge Bonifacio
At 19, Jorge Bonifacio is already showing signs of becoming a high-average hitter with exceptional power potential and plate awareness. In 2012, while playing in Low A ball, Bonifacio owned a slash of .282/.336/.482 while knocking 36 XBH (20 doubles, 6 triples, 10 HR). To go with his projectable bat is a terrific arm that suits him perfectly to become a future corner outfielder, particulary in RF given his average to below-average speed. If he continues to develop along the same line, he projects as a hitter likened to Billy Butler: hitting for average, both pull and opposite field power, while driving balls deep to both gaps. Class A Wilmington is where he’ll start 2013.
Adalberto Mondesi
7. Adalberto Mondesi SS age 17
Mondesi is already displaying skills that are well beyond his age. The Royals signed the son of former big leaguer Raul Mondesi in 2011 at the ripe age of 16. In 2012, the switch-hitting SS hit .290/.346/.386 in 207 AB for Rookie level Idaho Falls. He also drove in 30 runs and swiped 11 bases in 13 attempts. He’s already developing as a quality hitter, showing that he can drive pitches to deep into gaps and hit for some pop (3 HR in 47 games). His greatest assest though may be his smooth skillset in the field. He has a great glove, soft hands, and shows the ability to get to plenty of balls in the hole that most other shortstops at his age simply can’t reach. He did have 23 errors last season, but those numbers should go down with time. Given his youth, his ceiling remains very high. He could be in Low A ball to start 2013, making him the youngest player in the league.
8. Sam Selman LHP age 22
Sal Selman
Selman was the Royals’ 2nd round pick in this summer’s draft, and like Zimmer, had a stellar debut in 2012. Sam went 5-4 in 13 games (12 starts) with a 2.09 ERA, 89 K, and a .199 AVG against in 60 innings pitched. He has developed into a real “power lefty”, as he’s able to get his fastball up to 98 on occasion. He also throws an above-average slider, giving him two plus-pitches. He’ll start his first full season of pro ball in one of the Royals’ A-level affiliates. Given his background as a college pitcher, Selman likely could progress through the system quickly.
9. Orlando Calixte SS age 20
Orlando Calixte
Orlando Calixte had a great second half in 2012 after being promoted to High-A Wilmington, where he hit .281/.326/.426. He possesses an above-average bat for his position, both average and power-wise, and is a terrific defender with a strong arm. Of the organization’s handful of talented shortstop prospects, Calixte is the closest to being big league ready. AA NW Arkansas is where he’ll start 2013, but could push for a promotion to Omaha quickly.
10. Jason Adam RHP age 21
Jason Adam
Despite his 7-12 record in 27 starts at High-A Wilmington this season, Adam still managed to post a 3.53 ERA. He also recorded 123 K to just 36 BB in 158 IP and held opponents to a .238 AVG while averaging around 6 innings per start. Jason has average big league fastball velocity (90-92). Scouts believe he’s lost some velocity due to his new and much simpler delivery. But on the other hand, his new approach on the mound has allowed him to command his pitches better by limiting the hip turn and high leg kick of his old delivery. He still needs to develop solid second and third pitches (curveball and changeup), though he controls them well. Right now, Adam looks like anywhere from a no. 3-5 starter to most. He’ll pitch in NW Arkansas to begin 2013.
Notable Ommissions:
- Mike Montgomery LHP
- John Lamb LHP
- Chris Dwyer LHP
- Noel Arguelles LHP
- Christian Colon SS/2B
- Cheslor Cuthbert 3B
- Brett Eibner OF
Royal Blues Prospect Watch List:
- Kyle Smith RHP
- Justin Marks LHP
- Elier Hernandez OF
- Bryan Brickhouse RHP
- Sugar Ray Marimon RHP
- Cameron Gallagher C
- Lane Adams OF
- Humbero Arteaga SS
- Alexis Rivera OF
- Jack Lopez SS
- Patrick Leonard 3B/OF
- Colin Rodgers LHP
Spring Cleaning: 3/16
Making Cuts
Photo Credit: John Sleezer
The Royals announced yesterday that they have made their first roster cuts of the Spring by sending 8 of their Spring Training invitees to Minor League camp, 2 to Triple A Omaha, and 1 to AA Northwest Arkansas.
The 8 reassigned to Minor League camp are lefties Mike Montgomery, Will Smith, Chris Dwyer, and Brandon Sisk; right-hander Jake Odorizzi, catcher Julio Rodriguez, and outfielders Paulo Orlando and Wil Myers.
Two pitchers, RHP Nate Adcock and LHP Ryan Verdugo were assigned to Omaha, while LHP Noel Arguelles was assigned to Northwest Arkansas.
Monty did little to impress in his short time this Spring. In just 2.2 innings, he gave up 6 runs, 6 hits, and 3 BBs. Mike came into camp hoping to force the Royals to give him one of the final two spots in the rotation. He’s still a top prospect, and he’ll get as much time as he needs in the minors to make adjustments to his delivery in order to make things right.
Odorizzi only made two appearances, going 2 innings apiece. He struggled in his first outing, giving up 2 runs, before finding his rhythm in the second.
Wil Myers did well, taking part in 9 games thus far. He put up a .313 AVG, but K’d 5 times while getting zero extra base hits.
Brandon Sisk and Will Smith both left Big League camp with 0.00 ERA’s in 6 combined innings (Sisk-2, Smith-4). Neither had a shot at making the team out of ST, thus earning them their respective reassignments.
These guys were all reassigned mostly because the Royals want them to get more playing time to keep their development on track. Sticking in Big League camp, getting a few innings/at-bats here and there wouldn’t really do much good for anyone at this point.
The 11 players cut reduces the number of players in camp at 46.
Salvador Perez’s Timetable
Photo Credit: Heather Moore
For those who were hoping for a quick recovery, your dreams have been dashed.
After a successful procedure on his torn left-lateral meniscus this morning in KCK, the Royals have said that Salvador Perez will most likely be out for 14-16 weeks – meaning a possible mid-June return. The 12-14 weeks include both healing time and Minor League rehab assignments.
Feeling a Little Pudgey
Photo Credit: Rob Carr / Getty Images
With Brayan Pena being the only healthy catcher on the 40-man roster, the Royals are on the lookout for a possible veteran platoon partner, much like they did last season with Matt Treanor.
While there are only a handful of available veteran catchers, one name seems to standout above the rest:
Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez.
With Perez out, I’m sure GMDM is looking for someone who could come in and garner instant trust from the pitching staff. So, of the available names, who could be better than a 14-time All-Star, 13-time Gold Glove award winner, former AL MVP?
At 40, his numbers have declined as his age has risen. His bat is nowhere near where it used to be. But in 21 seasons, Pudge has a career slash line of .296/.334/.464. He’s still a tough at-bat and still has a solid-arm behind the plate, throwing out 52% of would-be base stealers in 37 games with Washington in 2011.
The Royals are also said to be sifting through rather lackluster options, like career minor leaguers Craig Tatum, Corky Miller, and Wil Nieves, all of which are extra-light hitting, average defense catchers.
In my mind, Pudge would be the perfect guy to come in and hold Sal’s place while he recovers. Then once Sal is ready to come back, keep Pudge around as a mentor for Perez for the rest of the season. Afterall, if I were a young Latino catcher, who could be better to learn from then one of the best catchers of all-time?
Now have a happy 3:16 day, ’cause Stone Cold said so!
