Recently someone told me “The Royals ain’t got no prospects”, I encouraged this person to look deeper because the Royals got prospects. The problem just so happens to be, they only have about six good ones. Then again, that’s what happens when you do nothing but draft lefthanded starters that can’t find the plate, and dudes named Bubba and Hunter. For a team that knew they could lose multiple players to free agency, the Royals did very little to turn that into controllable assets. What you’re left with is the list below. Best described as a handful of bright spots, some solid depth arms, and a couple of fringy bats destined for quad-A labels. The one truly fantasy relevant angle to this whole post is the opportunity that exists at the major level, at least as of writing this. Even if Eric Hosmer is re-signed, or other cheap vets are brought in, there’s simply not enough depth for the Royals to not employ a few hitters from this list. One note, I’m not writing about Kyle Zimmer. Okay, I’ll probably still write about Kyle Zimmer. You know why? Because everyone needs to know about the prospects the Royals got. Everyone! Readers go out into the world and share this like made up political memes or President Trump tweets or tweets about Doanld Trump tweets. So share. Because we need to know the good word about an awful system. It’s the Kansas City Royals top prospects for 2018.
1) Nick Pratto, 1B | Age: 19 | Level: Rk | 2017 Stats: .247/.330/.414, 4 HR, 34 RBI, 10 SB
When you’re a high school first baseman taken 14th overall and your most frequent comp is Joey Votto, it’s pretty easy to step right in and rank as the top prospect in the Royals system. It’s quite uncommon for prep first baseman to go in the first round, with Eric Hosmer, Dominic Smith, and Josh Naylor being the only other examples. That likely says more about Pratto than anything else, as the So-Cal prep product displays a future middle of the order profile. A smooth, no frills, lefty swing, Pratto shows natural hitting acumen, loose wrists, good bat speed, and an all-fields approach. He’s among the top 15-20 fantasy talents from the 2017 draft and should be a target in all dynasty formats this offseason. ETA: 2021
2) Khalil Lee, OF | Age: 19 | Level: A | 2017 Stats: .237/.344/.430, 17 HR, 61 RBI, 20 SB
I love athletic outfielders with power and speed, and this explains my affinity for Lee. There’s a lot of swing and miss concern, but his walk rates are elite, pointing to at least above average pitch recognition skills. From my observations Lee’s strikeout issues are more likely rooted in the inconsistency in his swing mechanics. He does possess elite bat speed, and hands as quick as lightning. The combination of on base ability, speed, and power, make Lee one of the less talked about Toolsheds on the edges of my Top 100. ETA: 2020
3) Seuly Matias, OF | Age: 19 | Level: Rk | 2017 Stats: .243/.297/.423, 7 HR, 27 RBI, 2 SB
A name constantly at the tip of my tongue whenever pressed for a potential 2018 helium breakout, Matias is a highly talented power bat with quick twitch tendencies, and legendary exit velocities. He led the AZL in homers back in 2016, and flashed improved restraint when faced with breaking stuff in 2017. Looks like your prototypical power hitting rightfielder if everything maxes out. Not that it matters for fantasy, but Seuly has a howitzer in the field, meaning he can stick in rightfield long term. Quick, Kenny Cashman, make me a Score style Rifleman card. Matias was signed for $2.25m back in 2015, and would have been a 2017 prep prospect had he been an American. ETA: 2021
4) MJ Melendez, C | Age: 19 | Level: Rk | 2017 Stats: .262/.374/.417, 4 HR, 30 RBI, 4 SB
A player I’ve heard good things from Chris Kusiolek about, Melendez was one of the better backstop prospects in the draft. A powerful hitter with some swing and miss, Melendez is an athletic kid that runs well, and is a bit of a marvel behind the plate, posting elite pop times with regularity. He’s the son of Florida International coach Mernyl Melendez, so you know he’s well coached. The Royals did well plucking Pratto and Melendez. ETA: 2021
5) Hunter Dozier, 3B/OF | Age: 26 | Level: AAA| 2017 Stats: .243/.341/.441, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 1 SB
An overdrafted college bat, Dozier got his groove back in 2016 after fixing his righthanded swing with some “good ole fashioned shortening”. He put up good numbers across multiple levels, and found his way onto the back end of a few top 100 lists. Unfortunately multiple injuries to Dozier’s oblique and hamate kept him on the shelf for much of the season. At 26 years old entering 2018, Dozier should be in the mix for big league at bats for a club in desperate need of some offensive spark. While he’s no star, Dozier certainly has the ability to provide a .265/.340/.450, 20 homer type season for little to no draft capital. ETA: 2018
6) Michael Gigliotti, OF | Age: 21 | Level: A | 2017 Stats: .320/.420/.456, 4 HR, 38 RBI, 22 SB
An under the radar college player, who broke out in a big way in his pro debut. Gigliotti touched two levels, matriculating all the way to full season ball in the Sally. The first player drafted out of Lipscomb since 1975, Gigliotti impressed on the Cape in the summer of 2016, drawing comps to Jacoby Ellsbury, and his draft stock grew from there. He’s a definite leadoff type with on-base ability, 60 grade speed and base running. He’s predominantly a line drive hitter, with just pedestrian bat speed from the left side. Gigliotti’s the the type of guy that your old school Uncle will love, as he knows how to drop down a mean bunt. Ultimately he’s a 4th outfield type with speed, I’m in a few leagues where that’s useful. If you’re in those leagues you’re a nerd. ETA: 2020
7) Josh Staumont, RHP | Age: 24 | Level: AAA | 2017 Stats: 6-12, 125 IP, 5.56 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 138 Ks, 97 Bb
A former early round pick, with MLB experience, and the best fastball and best breaking ball in an organization isn’t supposed to be so risky. There in lies the rub with Staumont, the stuff is tantalizing; a fastball that jumps to 102 with life, and a curveball that sits low 80’s with serious power break and depth. He also mixes in an upper-90’s sinking two-seamer, and a changeup with splitter action. The stuff is there, but will Staumont be the 2018 version of Joe Kelly? All stuff and only a bullpen future. ETA: 2018
8) Nicky Lopez, 2B/SS | Age: 22 | Level: AA | 2017 Stats: .279/.348/.356, 2 HR, 38 RBI, 21 SB
Not that you should take too much away from the Arizona Fall League, in fact you really should take nothing from the Arizona Fall League other than it was a good time. Regardless Lopez definitely upped his prospect stock this fall. He’s a linedrive, gap to gap hitter, with good understanding of the strike zone. Likely fits as future utility role. ETA: 2019
9) Foster Griffin, LHP | Age: 22 | Level: AA | 2017 Stats: 15-7, 161 IP, 3.35 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 141 SO, 54 Bb
A back end of the rotation lefty, Griffin is the type who hints at bat missing ability with good stuff, but it never translates to numbers. His four-seamer lacks velocity, sitting 89-92, but it makes up for a lack of giddy up with nice cut. His two-seamer has tail, and his curveball has improved over the last few seasons. He uses his changeup effectively, but it’s just a fringe pitch at the time being. ETA: 2020
10) Eric Skoglund, LHP | Age: 25 | Level: AAA| 2017 Stats: 4-5, 104 IP, 4.07 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 103 Ks, 32 Bb
A back end of the rotation type with a chance at a significant MLB role for 2018. Skoglund uses his 6’7 frame well getting serious plane on his four-seamer, a pitch that gets easy 60 grades. He mixes in an average curveball, and two fringe offerings in his slider and changeup. He’s super gangly and thin, wouldn’t surprise me if he struggles to stay healthy. ETA: 2018
11) Samir Duenez, 1B | Age: 21 | Level: AA | 2017 Stats: .242/.304/.402, 17 HR, 75 RBI, 10 SB
Not many 20 year olds reach AA, and even fewer 21 year olds follow that up with a season where their home run total eclipses the career total prior. Yet he’s outside my top 10, and I don’t think I’m alone. It’s just tough to believe in a first base only guy with only moderate power, so so approach, and a hit tool first profile. Not a bad prospect, should be owned in deeper leagues, but he’s no star. ETA: 2019
12) Miguel Almonte, RHP | Age: 24 | Level: AAA | 2017 Stats: 1-2, 47 IP, 1.72 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 52 Ks, 13 Bb
Do you have any idea how badly I’d like to ignore Almonte? Problem is I can’t ignore a 24 year old with two plus pitches, the ability to miss bats, and MLB experience. Almonte likely is headed toward a bullpen future, but he could be a very good power reliever. The Royals might still pursue Almonte’s starter future, but I just don’t have a great deal of confidence it sticks. He’s dealt with injuries and bouts of ineffectiveness, and the pen has been a place he’s seen success. ETA: 2018
13) Frank Schwindel, OF | Age: 25 | Level: AAA | 2017 Stats: .329/.349/.541, 23 HR, 97 RBI, 0 SB
You know the quad-A label might have a picture of Frank Schwindel next to it in the dictionary, but damn that 2017 production is tough to ignore. Schwindel can hit for decent power, mostly of the pull variety, he doesn’t strikeout much either, but he rarely walks. He’s always had solid minor league production with now three 20+ homer seasons in the minors. Doesn’t seem like a career big league guy, but I could be wrong. ETA: 2018
Find all of the 30 Minor League Previews, and Offseason Rankings on the Minor League Index
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