Royals Top 10 from BA

by Flynn Blake on Nov 29, 2006 10:44 PM EST

1. Alex Gordon, 3b
2. Luke Hochevar, rhp
3. Billy Butler, of
4. Chris Lubanski, of
5. Tyler Lumsden, lhp
6. Erik Cordier, rhp
7. Mitch Maier, of
8. Justin Huber, of/1b
9. Billy Buckner, rhp
10. Brent Fisher, lhp

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/features/262906.html

Not too surprising.

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cordier

is out in 07 with TJ surgery.

by vaclipper on Nov 29, 2006 10:44 PM EST reply actions

surprised

Hochevar over Butler.... a bit surprising.

I seriously doubt they rank Hochevar over Butler in their top 100 list.

Rays in '08....

by youALREADYknow on Nov 29, 2006 10:47 PM EST reply actions

not that surprising

BA loves high ceilings and jumps on obvious flaws. Butler has an obvious flaw that limits his ceiling. Hochevar has a ceiling at least comparable to Butler's and no flaws as damning as Butler's defense. Also, I disagree and think Hochevar will top Butler on their top 100...right or wrong.

by BGWoodsman on Nov 29, 2006 11:18 PM EST up reply actions

BA

Well Matt Meyers did the Royals Top 10, and so it was his personal preference. But we could very well see a change on the top 100 because I think that is based on a consensus from all their writers.

Giants '08

by z4 landshark on Nov 29, 2006 11:30 PM EST up reply actions

Top 100

They won't in their top 100, the reason being (besides that that list is the consensus of all the writers) that Butler is better than almost any hitter in the minors, but Hochevar has more competition against the top pitching prospects. Butler is a better prospect overall, but Hochevar might be considered a better prospect in the Royals' organization...mainly because he's far and away their best pitching prospect, while Butler, though a great hitter, is only the second best position player prospect in his organization.

I don't agree with Hochevar over Butler, but I guess it's justifiable in the Royals organization. In the top 100, it would be shocking to see Hochevar above Butler, since that would put Hochevar in the top 10 or 15 prospects overall, where he clearly does not belong (at least not yet).

by ajohnst1 on Nov 29, 2006 11:56 PM EST up reply actions

re

Shouldn't be surprising at all. I posted this on 11/27.

http://minorleagueball.com/story/2006/11/27/172215/69

by rdf8585 on Nov 30, 2006 12:04 AM EST reply actions

Donnie Murphy...

i know he had a disappointing 2006 w/ injuries and being rushed to the majors from AA. but i'm curious where he would've ranked, in the teens? he's omly 23yrs old and wil be in AAA next season, so i his progression path seems normal. any upside stil left, maybe a change of teams now with the A"s will benefit him?

by rayver723 on Nov 30, 2006 1:27 AM EST reply actions

Probably in 20's or 30's

his star has really dimmed and he has struggled with injuries. The injuries have stunted his development and the Royals pegged him as more of a utility bench player than a possible MLB regular at 2nd.

by eazyb81 on Nov 30, 2006 11:22 AM EST up reply actions

Butler too low

No way he's behind Luke. He's possibly the best pure hitting prospect in the game, and only Gordon's glove at 3B puts him ahead overall in this system.

Despite being almost two years younger, Butler has very competitive numbers (MLEs):

Butler (b. April 18, 1986)
.292/.344/.431

Gordon (b. February 10, 1984)
.286/.374/.498

Butler's also got a better K/BB ratio.

by Jurgen @ Minor League Ball on Nov 30, 2006 12:16 PM EST reply actions

Bianchi

I'm really surprised that Jeff Bianchi, SS didn't make it onto the top-10.

by mckeeno on Nov 30, 2006 12:21 PM EST reply actions

Certainly understandable

given his lack of playing time the last two years.

That being said, if he stays healthy in 07 he will have a huge year and will rise up prospect boards. He has all the tools and the production to be an elite prospect, he just needs to stay on the field.

by eazyb81 on Nov 30, 2006 12:29 PM EST up reply actions

Lubanski

This kid is looking like a nice prospect. Between Lubanski, Gordon, Butler, and Bianchi, the Royals system is full of potential impact bats. Hell, Huber could be an above-average hitter too...

by limozeen on Dec 1, 2006 4:35 AM EST reply actions