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.
Top Ten Prospects
1. Kyle Zimmer, RHP: I went over some scouting notes on Zimmer as part of a pre-draft feature last season. The Royals proceeded to draft him fifth overall, signing him with a bonus worth $3 million. The 21-year-old got a brief look in the complex league before being assigned to Low-A Kane County for the remainder of the season. He was dominant in his pro debut, posting 2.04 ERA and K/9 at 9.5 between the two stops. Zimmer will bring his front-end potential to the upper levels at some point this year, on track for arrival next season. ETA: 2014
2. Bubba Starling, OF: The 2011 first-rounder is one of the more impressive athletes in the minors, but he’s quite raw at the moment. At age 20, Starling is finally ready to step into full-season baseball. The lack of developmental progress is a bit concerning, especially as it pertains to his hit tool. The raw tools, however, are so thoroughly impressive that it’s tough to discount him as an elite prospect — not just yet, at least. Starling will be assigned to Low-A Lexington, Kansas City’s new South Atlantic League affiliate. ETA: 2016
3. Adalberto Mondesi, SS: Adalberto, son of Raul, looks primed for a full-season assignment after an impressive pro debut in rookie ball last year. The 17-year-old will be among the youngest — if not the youngest — players at the Low-A level. He shows impressive, and projectable tools both in the field and at the plate, but clearly there’s a long way to go here. At such a young age, it wouldn’t surprise me if Mondesi scuffled a bit in his first year of full-season ball, although that probably wouldn’t affect his overall outlook. But if he turns in a solid full year at Lexington? Look out. ETA: 2016
4. Yordano Ventura, RHP: Yordano, son of Robin, features a plus-plus fastball and a plus curve to go with it. Okay, Robin Ventura is not really his father, but I promise the fastball is legit — it sits in the mid 90s and has been known touch 100. The breaking ball is a wipeout offering, and he tallies plenty of whiffs with it (9.6 K/9 at three levels in 2012). At 5-11, 140, though, Ventura’s frame is concerning, and his changeup is lagging behind. His profile seems destined for short stints in the late innings, and that’s his quickest route to the bigs, but for now, the Royals seem content to continue bringing him along as a starter. Either way, he’ll offer plenty of value to the fantasy game. ETA: 2014
5. Jorge Bonifacio, OF: I wrote a brief scouting report on Bonifacio near the end of last season. What I said there still holds. The 19-year-old is looking to build from a solid first year of full-season ball, and post a breakout line at Wilmington in 2013. ETA: 2015
6. Kyle Smith, RHP: Smith was outstanding in his first year of pro baseball, posting a 2.94 ERA, a 1.22 WHIP, and a 11.6 K/9 in 67 IP at Low-A Kane County. With plus command of his fastball and a beautiful curve to go with it, he’s looking like a #3 type starter with #2 upside. ETA: 2015
7. Cheslor Cuthbert, 3B: A rough year at High-A has damaged Cuthbert’s stock, but at age 20, it’s too early to panic. A solid defensive projection to go with plus power potential should make him an average 3B, at least. If the hit tool makes progress, he could be quite good. He’s probably headed to Wilmington for a second go at High-A, but expect to see him in the upper levels by mid-season. ETA: 2015
8. John Lamb, LHP: Lamb had Tommy John surgery in June of 2011, and it’s thrown off his development considerably. Before the operation, he was an elite pitching prospect, touted for supreme command of a well-refined three-pitch repertoire (fastball, curve, change). After just 13 IP in rookie ball last year, Lamb will look to get back on track at Double-A. He’ll push through quickly if he’s back to his old form. ETA: 2014
9. Sam Selman, LHP: A second-round pick last June out of Vanderbilt University, Selman was given a modest assignment to rookie-level Idaho Falls in the Pioneer League, where he posted some silly numbers: 2.09 ERA, 13.3 K/9. Good size and stuff have him looking like an exciting, front-end guy, but we’ll have a better idea of his true projection after he settles in at a full-season assignment. ETA: 2015
10. Cameron Gallagher, C: With plus power potential, and defensive tools that should suffice to keep him behind the plate, Gallagher has loads of fantasy upside. The 20-year-old is yet to be tested at the full-season level, so as always, there’s a long way to go, and plenty of risk. He’s another we’ll have a better feel for a few months from now. ETA: 2016
