Bubba Starling

Scott Evans

2013 Minor League Preview: Kansas City Royals

| Fantasy Baseball Prospects | 44 Comments

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Organizational Talent Rankings via Baseball America
2012 (3) | 2011 (1) | 2010 (16) | 2009 (11) | 2008 (24)

2012 Affiliate Records
MLB: [72-90] AL Central
AAA: [83-61] Pacific Coast League – Omaha
AA: [58-81] Texas League – Northwest Arkansas
A+: [66-74] Carolina League – Wilmington
A: [68-72] Midwest League – Kane County (SAL Lexington beginning 2013)

Graduated Prospects
Will Smith (LHP); Kelvin Herrera (RHP); Everett Teaford (LHP)

The Run Down
The Royals traded away a decent chunk of their upper-levels talent in the James Shields deal with the Rays. Wil Myers, Jake Odorizzi, and Mike Montgomery are all gone, and what’s left is a very young system. It also happens to be a very good system. But with youth comes risk. There’s as much upside here as there is in any other organization — numbers 1-10 below are all capable of bringing significant value to fantasy owners — and there are some college arms that should move quickly. But for the most part, this farm system is unproven. Unless Yordano Ventura is converted to relief, I don’t see much fantasy value pushing through until 2014. Even so, this group will be a lot of fun to watch in the upcoming season.

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Scott Evans

Late-Season Top 20 Fantasy Baseball Prospects

| Fantasy Baseball Prospects | 13 Comments

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Last Wednesday, I joined Rudy and Nick for the Razzball Baseball Podcast.  On the show, we counted down my top 15 prospects, but truth be told, I was fully prepared to discuss my top 20.  So, with the MiLB season winding down and all, I thought now would be a good opportunity to put the entire list out there in written form.  This is a preliminary ranking — I’ll roll out more official and specific ranks during the off-season, once the dust has settled and I’ve had a chance to gather more intel.  Please keep in mind that this list is limited to prospects still in the minors prior to September 1st call-ups.  Also, in the interest of not being too farsighted, I included only guys who’ll be making their impacts within the next year or two (which is certainly a matter up for debate).  Anyway, my top 20:

1.  Jurickson Profar, SS, Rangers – Current Level: MLB Age: 19 – Five-tool shortstop projects to go 20/20 annually, and he’s certainly gifted enough to do more.

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Scott Evans

Minor Accomplishments for Week 12

| Fantasy Baseball Prospects | 35 Comments

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By the numbers, Manny Machado struggled through his first two months of Double-A baseball.  It seemed like most nights I looked at Bowie’s box, Machado’s line was 0-fer.  But then I’d read something from the O’s about how his current production was of no concern, that he was tweaking his approach, that scouts are still encouraged.  Still, it’s hard not to be a little worried when the guy I ranked No.

Please, blog, may I have some more?
Scott Evans

Kansas City Royals 2011 Minor League Review

| Fantasy Baseball Prospects | 9 Comments

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Organizational Talent Rankings via Baseball America

2012 (3) | 2011 (1) | 2010 (16) | 2009 (11) | 2008 (24) | 2007 (11)

2011 Affiliate Records

MLB: [71-91] AL Central

AAA: [79-63] Pacific Coast League – Omaha

AA: [73-64] Texas League – Northwest Arkansas

A+: [66-72] Carolina League –Wilmington

A: [65-74] Midwest League – Kane County

R: [33-43] Pioneer League – Idaho Falls

The Run Down

Even after graduating guys like Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, and Danny Duffy, the Royals system is still flush with future stars.  Ownership has granted baseball development personnel a generous budget over recent years for both the draft and the international markets, and it must be satisfying for Royals fans to see those investments paying off.  Still, I doubt we’ll see the same arrival of highly touted prospects in 2012 that we saw in 2011.  It seems more likely that this group will reach fantasy relevance from 2013-2015.  I suppose Mike Montgomery has a shot to make an impact with KC later this year, but I’m confident that the Royals’ back-end starters will hold up.  Realistically, relief pitcher Kelvin Herrera might be the best positioned guy of the group to crack your fantasy roster this year.  The kid touches 100 with his heater and could certainly work his way into some save opportunities if Broxton/Holland/Crow aren’t effective.

Please, blog, may I have some more?