On the M&I Bank Postgame Show with Robert Ford and Greg Schaum, we will begin counting down the Top 30 Royals Prospects for 2010 on September 8. Tune into the program after every Royals game because we will count down one - sometimes two - prospects per day. Below are their rankings and a brief biography of that player. Jack Dempsey is the 610 Sports special assistant who screens phone calls and performs other "behind the scenes" activities on the Postgame Show. His blog is http://theroyaltreatment.blogspot.com. Available on that site will be quips on each of the below Royals prospects. Enjoy!
1. Mike Montgomery
The 36th overall pick in the 2008 amateur draft has proven to be the most exciting left-handed pitching prospect in the system since Danny Jackson. He was the highest player taken from the Santa Clarita valley in Southern California since 1977. He comes from Hart High School which has been the location for several movies and television shows like the Greatest American Hero and Vision Quest (the locker room scene was shot there). I was told early in the season that Montgomery has the right kind of baseball ego. Unlike the two pitchers who are no longer in the system, Daniel Cortes and Daniel Gutierrez, Mike knows what it takes to become a successful big-league pitcher. He has a tremendous belief in himself and knows he will be successful and he carries himself well between the white lines. He throws four Major League pitches with a fastball that is used to set up terrific secondary pitches. He throws a plus change-up and has a palm ball that has drawn some solid reviews. I don't think it is always fair to compare players but I like doing them and sense a lot of Cole Hamels in Montgomery. An American League scout says Montgomery is a "classic projectable left-handed pitcher, but already has now stuff. Fastball got up to 93 (miles per hour) for me and should sit around there when he physically matures. Switches between curveball grips and would like to see greater consistency, but shows feel/ability to spin the pitch. Curveball has some drop out of the zone and can get swing and misses. Both secondary pitches project as above average Major League offerings and flash that ability now. Control/command will improve with age. Intense competitor. Loves the challenge of being promoted to High-A . Projects as a mid-to-front of the rotation guy, especially if he can consistently sit 92-93."
Last year's ranking: 11
2a. Aaron Crow
A late season signing, Aaron was immediately placed on the 40-man roster and will go to Spring Training with an outside chance at breaking camp with the big league club. However, he has not pitched in a game in a year and a half. The Royals were surprised the talented pitcher fell to them in the 2009 amateur draft and they jumped at the chance to draft him. I expect him to spend the first half of the 2010 season at AA. His fastball sits around 90-94 and his out pitch is a very advanced slider that he is not afraid to throw any time in the count. He needs to work on his change-up. The thing I like about him the most is his MOXY, as he is not afraid to challenge hitters inside and uses the inside pitch "often" to set up his dominant slider away.
Last year's ranking: N/A (not in organization)
2b. Mike Moustakas
There has also been discussion of moving him to a corner outfield position. Personally, I would love to see him move behind the dish. He is at third base for now and getting better at the position. His numbers are not fantastic for a premiere prospect at High-A, but Wilmington, Delaware is not an easy place to hit. He has 16 home runs along with 32 doubles this season. I am worried about his pitch selection and low walk totals giving him an on-base percentage below .300. However, one can hope that his pitch selection will mature with age and levels. I expect him to spend all next season on a very talented AA Northwest Arkansas club. An American League scout said he "has really improved at third base. Flashes ability to stay there and will continue to improve. Made a couple tough plays and shows a bigtime arm. Think he ends up at first base, so bat he will really have to hit. Shows plus bat speed and easy power. Needs to refine plate approach and not sold that he will ever hit for a high average. Sells out of power too often and needs to improve pitch recognition. Might be suited for catcher."
Last year's ranking: 1
3. Wil Myers
The Royals found themselves a very special player in the third round of the 2009 amateur draft. Myers had been projected as the 12th best prospect in the draft but fell due to a commitment to the University of South Carolina. He has a lightning quick bat and immense power potential. At 6'3" his body is still developing. He is also a very good athlete playing all over the diamond - catcher, shortstop, and center field. He was also a successful pitcher. He throws 91 and that arm carries over behind the dish. If he stays at catcher his time table might be a bit slower due to the needed development for a catcher. If he moves to center field, he could debut by 2012. He also has above average speed and his overall toolset probably excites me more than any other offensive player in the system. Myers actually might be the most exciting complete player to come through the system in the last 12 years. In 84 at-bats in his first professional season, he hit .369 with five home runs, a .427 on-base percentage and a 1.106 OPS.
Last year's ranking: N/A (not in organization)
4. Eric Hosmer
There is no doubt that Hosmer had a tough first full season. He has tremendous potential but right now has too many holes in his game. He has been described as a little lazy around the bag. He became a premiere high school prospect because of his mammoth home runs and his ability to crush homers the opposite way. However, this is not high school and Hosmer will only get challenged more as he climbs levels. He also had a weird incident this season that led to him missing games before eventually getting LASIK surgery. The Royals hope that was the reason for his ugly numbers and 2010 will be the year he emerges as an elite talent. I expect him to spend the whole season at High-A Wilmington. An American League scout says "too much, too soon for last year's first rounder. Think he was rushed. Should have been allowed to dominate Low-A before getting called up. Power was on display in B.P. (batting practice) and shows very good bat speed but was putting a different swing on the ball in game. Did swing the bat with confident and aggression. With that bat speed and power, he'll be fine. Progression might be similar to Vitters. It's too bad that he doesn't have the foot speed for an outfielder because it's a shame not to use that arm at first base.".
Last year's ranking: 2
5. Danny Duffy
I am a big fan of Danny Duffy. He is a kid who has tremendous want and I appreciate that in any athlete. He is interesting because he has the ability to change speeds and keep hitters on their tose. Those are qualities that will only help him as he matures. He has put up some big numbers as he has struck out 290 batters in 242 career professional innings. He represented the Royals in the Futures Game in St. Louis and pitched in the Carolina League All-Star Game. I expect him to continue to make his way to the big leagues as a 21 year old for AA next season. He pitched well this year at High-A Wilmington as a 20-year-old going 9-3 with a 2.98 ERA in 127 innings pitched with 125 strikeouts and only 41 walks. An American League scout says Duffy is "another intriguing lefty arm. Fastball topped out at 93 for me and sat anywhere between 87-93. Would like to see more consistent velocity. Both secondary pitches could end up plus offerings. Throws a big curveball that is a little reminiscent of Zito, though not on that level. Curveball has a lot of action and nice separation from fastball. Control/command should improve with maturity. See ceiling as a mid-rotation guy."
Last year's ranking: 4
6. Chris Dwyer
Dwyer was the first ever draft eligible college baseball freshman at the age of 21. He is a very good southpaw out of the University of Clemson. I saw him pitch in the super regionals of the College World Series against Arizona State and was very impressed. He was a two-pitch pitcher in college but I was told that his change-up has come along very well and we should expect to see it next season. He is one of those guys who I think will move quickly and I expect to see him debuting at some point in 2011. He will be 22 on April 10, 2010. One weakness is that he had trouble getting himself out of jams in 2009. We will follow that to see if he figures that out.
Last year's ranking: N/A (not in organization)
7. David Lough
I think anyone who listens to the Diamond Rough report every night on the Royals postgame show and my off season program Baseball This Week knows how much I like David Lough as a prospect. I predicted he would be the biggest sleeper (and riser) in the organization this season and he has proven me right. I had a chance to talk to Lough for about 15 minutes the other night and told him he made me look good with the season he had. He told me that he really felt like he was going to make something of himself this season after he got to AA (most people believe that AA is the measuring success for prospects) and performed so well. He thinks he has been successful because of his belief in himself. David is a very good athlete as he was one of the best high school soccer and baseball players in Ohio. He then went to college at a small school called Mercyhurst and became a very good receiver and specialist in addition to being a fantastic center fielder on the baseball team. He has plus speed and can hit for pop and the Royals have to be drooling about the potential. I would like to see him improve his plate awareness (24 walks in 458 ab's) but I am told he is starting to be more patient. Still, his breakthrough year saw him hit .325 with 14 HR's and 19 SB's between two stops. I expect him to make his Major League debut at some point in 2010 and compete for a starting job in 2011. He will be 23 next season.
Last year's ranking: 15
8. Tim Melville
Tim was a great surprise for Royals fans in the 2008 draft. He was worthy of a #1 pick but fell due to signability issues and a commitment to be a two-way player for the University of North Carolina. A good looking prospect who lacks the polish of an elite prospect like Mike Montgomery. He has a plus fastball and a good feel for both his change-up and his curveball. He will be 20 years old next season and gives the Royals another very good young arm for the future. He finished his first professional season for Low-A Burlington (Iowa) going 7-7 with a 3.79 ERA and 96 strikeouts and 43 walks in 97 innings pitched.
Last year's ranking: 5
9. John Lamb
Lamb is a lefty out of Laguna Beach, California. He did not pitch his senior year after injuring himself in a car accident. Still, the Royals gave him $165,000 to sign in the fifth round of the 2008 amateur draft. He has received high grades for his mound awareness and is said to be an intelligent pitcher. He won't be 20 until July 2010. He works with a good fastball and a plus change up and he uses his curveball well. He has a smooth, effortless delivery and has been compared by many to a young Tom Glavine. He is extremely confident throwing his change up and does not repeat his arm delivery so he is deceptive. He had a nice season in 2009, going 5-3 with a 3.83 ERA between the two rookie levels, Idaho Falls and Burlington, with 71 strikeouts and 20 walks in 69 innings pitched.
Last year's ranking: 24
10. Jeff Bianchi
I was pretty surprised when Baseball America left Bianchi off their top 30 prospect list last season. He played well to close out the season and a veteran scout told that "Jeff looked like the guy they (the Royals) saw when they first drafted him." Jeff hit .408 and .429 in two short stings coming out of the 2005 amateur draft. However, injuries derailed him then and continued to bother him for his first few years. He struggled in 2007 and most of 2008 but he really re-emerged this season hitting .308 with a .358 on-base percentage for High-A Wilmington and AA Northwest Arkansas. He is a good middle infielder who can play second base or shortstop capably. He can run too (he stole 22 bases in 2009). He is also an all-around good guy by all accounts and should have an opportunity to make his Major League debut in 2010 as a 23 year old (he will not turn 24 until next October).
Last year's ranking: 12
11. Louis Coleman
Coleman served many roles for Louisiana State University in his four years at Baton Rouge. He was a setup man, closer, and the SEC Pitcher of the Year as a starting pitcher his senior year in college. He was the pitcher on the hill when LSU won the national championship in 2009. He was 29-12 in his collegiate career and will be a fast riser through this system. He is an advanced college pitcher and I would not be surprised if he makes his big-league debut in 2010. Coleman was 4-1 with a 1.70 ERA, 22 strikeouts, and four walks in 22 innings pitched. He has a very deceptive delivery throwing across his body that makes it hard for righties to pick up. Coleman sits around 92-93 with pinpoint accuracy and gets great movement on his pitches. He is also effective against lefties.
Last year's ranking: N/A (not in organization)
12. Tyler Sample
Tyler is a hard-throwing pitcher from Colorado. He has a great fastball that he might rely on a little too much. Some feel he has the power curveball in the system. He has a tendency to give advantage to the hitters by getting behind in the count. He is a maximum effort guy which is why some feel he is best suited for the bullpen. Maybe he will end up like fellow Colorado native Goose Gossage. He is young and needs to mature into a more complete pitcher. At 6'7" and 245 pounds he certainly will be an imposing figure on the bump. An off-the-field incident in which he broke his hand punching a door in the spring did not help him to start out 2009. He made his 2009 debut in June and finished the season 4-2 with a 2.84 ERA in 12 games with 44 strikeouts and 20 walks in 50 innings pitched.
Last year's ranking: 16
13. Carlos Fortuna
The Dominican right-hander will not be 20 until the last day of March of next season. He has one of the best pure power arms in the system and the Royals want to make sure they can protect this talented pitcher. He can touch 96 with relative ease and has been able to improve his breaking pitches. He has a fluid, clean, "non-violent" delivery which leads me to believe that his progression could come fast. He should pitch for Low-A Burlington in his first full season action in 2010. He is at #13 because the Royals feel they have a future middle of the rotation arm or power reliever out of the 'pen. His upside is too much to ignore and as long as he keeps it clean he will continue to move up on this list.
Last year's ranking: Not listed
14. Kila Ka'aihue
Kila drops out of the top 10 because in my opinion the Royals do not believe in him. He is a perfect on-base machine and can get a hold of a ball from time to time. Two scouts told me this season that he has a slider-speed bat. Basically, they feel he cannot catch up to a quality fastball. This statement has become the kiss of death for possible AAAA players for a long time. When your management believes it's scouts it is hard to shake that statement and get an extended look. He has struggled quite a bit at times in his career but had a huge year in 2008. He was very inconsistent in 2009. Still, I think this guy just needs to prove it on the field and I hope he gets that opportunity although I think it will be somewhere other than Kansas City. I have gotten to know him a bit and am a big fan of him. I am looking at my Kila Ka'aihue bobblehead as I write this.
Last year's ranking: 7
15. Johnny Giavotella
I thought Johnny was a solid pick by the Royals in 2008. His make up is off the charts and he came in with the reputation of a guy that knows the strike zone. Something that is hard enough to teach. He has backed up that reputation to the tune of a .352 OBP in his first one and a half seasons. However, there are major questions about his glove and at 5'8 his best chance is 2B or SS. I have been told his only chance is 2B. He is a guy that seems to ride hot streaks and mire in cold streaks but his truest test will come in 2010 at AA ball. An American League scout says "Can hit a little, but lacks power. Butchered some balls at 2B. Best asset is his feel for strike zone. Is going to get on base a lot. Lack of glove, foot speed, and power limit his ML value."
Last year's ranking: 9
16. Jordan Parraz
Jordan might have been higher if we had seen him play the entire year healthy. Regardless, you have to say this is a pretty impressive slot for a guy that was not on his former team (Astros) top 30 list by BA last year. Scott Sharp saw Parraz play in Hawaii last winter and thought he would be a solid player. The Royals traded troubled P Tyler Lumsden for him and it looks like the Royals found a Diamond in the Rough. He was very highly thought of coming out of high school and was a 6th round pick of the Phillies. He did not sign and went to College before becoming the 94th overall pick of the Astros in 2004. He teased the Astros with his athleticism and had a solid year in high A in 2006 when he hit .336. But, he never became the player many thought he would become. The Royals tweaked his stance quite a bit and they think they have fixed some major flaws in his game. He is not great defensively but he has a very good arm. His power is still developing as he adds some lift to his swing. He did not run alot this season but he has good speed and has the ability to steal some bases while providing some solid power.
Last year's ranking: Not listed
17. Timmy Smith
The Royals picked up the former Arizona State University baseballer from the Rangers late in the 2009 season.He came to the Royals in a deal for (would of been top 10 prospect) RHP Danny Gutierrez. Smith shot up the Rangers prospect list in a fashion similar to Royals prospect David Lough. In fact, there are some similarities...Both can run a bit and hit for some pop. Smith is a big guy at 6'3 and he is limited to LF because he does not possess a very good arm. He has the ability to work the count, a specialty which this organization is lacking. He has been compared to former Ranger fan favorite Rusty Greer, which would be a very good thing for Royals fans if he comes close to that.
Last year's ranking: N/A (not in organization)
18. Carlos Rosa
Carlos was a top 10 prospect the last couple of seasons. I predicted he would eventually end up as a reliever and that is exactly where he ends up. He slipped quite a bit this season. He was very inconsistent at Omaha and was a very frustrating player to follow, and you have to take under consideration his inability to stay healthy. He still touches 97 and has a very good power slider at times but he has also become very hittable. I wonder if he is not getting late movement. He was called up to the Royals in September and earned his first big league save. I still think he has the opportunity to be a good middle reliever but I think it is safe to argue that he will never reach the potential many thought due to his "electric arm" There was quite a bit of talk that he was the original player going to the Marlins for Mike Jacobs before it was discovered that he was not healthy.
Last year's ranking: 8
19. Derrick Robinson
I was really down on Robinson for several reasons and than he went on a tear in the month of August that makes some think he has finally figured out how to be a baseball player. In August he hit all 5 of his HR's and hit .311 with 18 sb's and .362 OBP. On the season he stole 69 bases and was named the Carolina Leagues fastest runner. D-Rob was a very well known football star coming out of high school in Florida (he had committed to play D-Back at the University of Florida)The Royals hope the soon to be 22 year old OF will continue to make the adjustments as he moves up to AA Northwest Arkansas next season. An American League scout says "Well he can run, that's about it. Not sold that he will ever hit enough or show the plate disc to take advantage of those legs. Can cover some ground in CF. Think Joey Gathright."
Last year's ranking: 14
20. Keaton Hayenga
My pick to be the pitcher that moves up the most after the 2010 season. He was a terrific 2 sports athlete in high school and he fielded offers to play college basketball. He stuck with baseball even though he was injured leading up to the draft and fell to the Royals in the 31st round (a $300,000 bonus will do that to you sometimes). Already a hard thrower (reports had him touching 96 in the instructs after the 08 season) he has developed a solid feel for his 2 secondary pitches. He was the horse of the Burlington Royals team in the Appalachian League as he went 4-7 with a 3.66 E.R.A in 66 IP. Still, he is developing as a pitcher every day and will be just 21 when 2010 starts. I expect him to see full season action with the Burlington Bees and Wilmington Blue Rocks clubs next season.
Last year's ranking: Not listed
21. Crawford Simmons
Simmons will see his first professional action for the Royals in the instructional league this off season. Georgia Tech thought they inked Simmons after his junior season but the Royals drafted Simmons in the 14th round and gave him $450,000 to sign him. His stock raised quite a bit after his junior campaign when he took on a rigorous workout routine to increase his velocity. When he makes it to the big leagues and if Zack Greinke is still with the club, Simmons might be the first to challenge Zack as the best golfer on the club. Simmons was considered a 2 sports signee which allows the Royals to pay him over 4 seasons. Video of Simmons shows an odd delivery that makes him appear to reach back and loop his arm. I imagine, the Royals will work hard to fix this motion and make it more fluid. Still, he has shown command of 3 pitches, fastball, a very good feel for his change, and a curveball.
Last year's ranking: N/A (not in organization)
22. Jose Bonilla
Until the recent draft, Bonilla was the best catching prospect in the system. Catching, also happens to be the clubs weakest position. Bonilla had huge offensive numbers in 2008 but struggled with the bat in 2009.He hit just .217 with 92 K's in 351 at bats. But. almost any baseball person will tell you that young catchers often will be inconsistent with the bat coming out of the gate. Bonilla is young as he just turned 21 in August. The Royals recently acquired defensive first catcher Miguel "Mickey" Pina from the Rangers and he might be a future back up. But, Bonilla is thought to have the overall tools to a bog league starting catcher by 2012.
Last year's ranking: Not listed
23. Yowill Espinal
The Dominican shortstop will be just 19 next season and while he is still very raw he has also flashed signs of growing into a successful big leaguer, although it might not be at SS. I have been told he still makes mental mistakes on the diamond. He often is too aggressive on the base paths and in the field. He lead the Appalachian League in errors. He has a good arm but often does not know where his throws are going. He is on this list for pure upside and the Royals hope that he continues to raise his baseball I.Q. This season alone he seems to have improved his plate awareness. He also seems to have some power potential and the speed is there.
Last year's ranking: Not listed
24. Blake Wood
Blake was #10 on this list last season and he is falling far because he can not seem to escape the injury bug. He throws hard and has 2 quality pitches. I believe we are looking at another Carlos Rosa situation where his future might be best served out of the bullpen. He was a #3 pick out of Georgia Tech and is going to be 24 at the start of next season (he turns 25 in August) He will more than likely spend a 3rd season in a row at AA to start the season and I am guessing the Royals would like him to be up at AAA at some point in 2010.
Last year's ranking: 10
25. Hilton Richardson
Richardson has a classic baseball body and resembles Indians CF Grady Sizemore from a far. He is still learning the game but he has a tremendous upside for a CF. I saw him lay down perfect drag bunts in spring training and I thought that I had not seen a Royal do that in many years. He has just a .247 AVG in 607 minor league at bats but has 44 SB's. He will be 21 next spring training. The son of a former division 1 hoops referee. He is a legitimate 5 tool threat. However, defensively he does not have a strong arm. He also grades out very well in terms of make-up. This is a upside guy that I think fits very well at 25 and is my pick to be the highest rising prospect next season along with his high school friend P Keaton Hayenga.
Last year's ranking: Not listed
26. Patrick Keating
Keating played college ball at the University of Florida. He played 4 years there with 3 of them being mediocre. His junior season he was 8-1 with a 4.16 E.R.A with 52 k's in 84 IP. So, why does the 20th round pick in this years draft make the list? One baseball person told me that Keating was never used well as a Gator and had a flawed delivery. A Royals pitching coach (i don't know who) fixed his delivery and added a few miles to his fast ball and made his breaking stuff more crisp. He is being used as a reliever and has seen immediate results while becoming a legitimate prospect for the Royals. He is 6-1 with a 1.64 E.RA in 33 Ip with 47 K's and just 10 walks. He never even came close to a K/Ip in college.
Last year's ranking: N/A (not in organization)
27. Cheslor Cuthbert
How does a kid that has never played in even one pro game make this list? If you here the reports on this kid you might understand why. He is a 16 year old player from Nicarague that is as prized as a prospect as that country has ever seen. He has a projectable body and is said to have an advanced feel for the game. Their is some great footage of him here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjTAtWSDEpw “We think he’s going to be a special player,” said Rene Francisco, who heads the organization’s international operations. “He’s going to play a solid third base and hit and hit with power. He should hover around this number on this list for the next few years as he will enjoy the rest of his teenage years as a professional baseball player for the Royals.
Last year's ranking: N/A (not in organization)
28. Eric Basurto
When the Royals acquired Eric Basurto from the Marlins as a player to be named later many dismissed Eric as just another throw in. However, this could end up being a fine PTBNL as he posseses a "live" fastball and looks like he could be a very good middle reliever. He now has a 2.01 career E.R.A as a pro with 92 K's in 87 Ip. An A.L scout does say "Live arm. Didn't see a ML secondary pitch. Control/command problems" Which means he needs to get that second pitch if he is going to have the opportunity. But, the fastball is very good and he is makes this list because people like his upside once that secondary pitch can be established.
Last year's ranking: N/A (not in organization)
29. Juan Abreu
Power arm with command problems. I am sure many thought he would be higher on this list. I actually had him much higher until a couple of comments from respected observers. He had a very good season, at times, between high A and AA but his command issues have not been cleared up. He will be 25 on 4.8 of next season and could be of service to the big league team next season.
Last year's ranking: Not listed
30. Jarrod Dyson
If you look at his minor league numbers it does not tell the story. Statistically he looks like the second coming of Joey Gathright. But, the Royals think this guy is fantastic in CF.. Dyson, is believed to have upside offensively. He could end up only being a reserve but he will play a gifted CF (unlike Joey G.)
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