*** MOD: Royals ***

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by eazyb81 on May 16, 2007 5:08 PM EDT Comment 31 comments

John was kind enough to appoint me as Scouting Director for the Royals in this little mock draft, so I guess I will start off by briefly discussing my draft philosophies and how they relate with our Kansas City Royals.

First and foremost, this team needs an influx of talent. You can try and point to different areas, but they just need talent anywhere they can get it. Outside of Gordon, Butler, and Hochevar, there are a lot of question marks and organizational fodder.
Based off of #1, I prefer a BPA approach at all times during the draft. I don't like to take a short-sighted approach to try and plug current holes on the parent club - that might work for a large-market team, but that is not a prudent approach for a low revenue club such as the Royals.
In the famous words of Roy Clark, I prefer to "raise our own kids". With Dayton Moore in charge, I would like to see the Royals focus on preps with high-upside and depend on our player development department to groom quality MLB players. It's certainly an approach that takes patience, but I think that patience will pay off if done the right way.

Let's get some quality discussions going, I think this can potentially be a fantastic draft for the future of this franchise.

Thoughts? Opinions?

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Agreed

I agree completely. We just need the best player available.

by adschofield on May 16, 2007 7:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree

Also, I tell you right now outside of Price, I'm interested the most in the top two HS players, Porcello and Vitters.

by doublestix on May 16, 2007 7:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Same Here

Everyone disregards Vitters when discussing our potential targets at #2, but you can't just ignore what he brings to the table because we have Gordon.

Vitters could easily shift to right field and his bat should still be well above average there.

Founder of the Rowdy Hardy Fan Club

by eazyb81 on May 16, 2007 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

BPA is the way

and that is Josh Vitters. Gotta check his video footage...

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/events/draft_report/y2007/index.jsp?mc=vitters

by riktermiller on May 16, 2007 7:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Vitters

I agree

by adschofield on May 19, 2007 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Porcello

I love Porcello as a pitching prospect, and I think he may end up being one of the best prep pitchers to come out in the last decade or so. However, you can't help but look at our history of failure when drafting HS pitchers in the 1st round.

Furthermore, there is such a huge injury risk for pitchers in that 18-22 range, that there is a decent chance he may fail simply because of injuries/bad luck instead of lack of talent.

Just something to think about.

Founder of the Rowdy Hardy Fan Club

by eazyb81 on May 16, 2007 7:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Love Porcello as well

Best prep prospect pitching wise since Beckett, I like him more than top prep selection last year - Clayton Kershaw.

"Where do you start? He's got four pitches, especially if the changeup continues to improve, with a plus, plus fastball, great command and terrific mechanics." - milb.com

Obviously terrific mechanics are not always a sign of good health, but they sure help.

Anyways- If I was making the decision he would get the pick (assuming Price is gone).

by doublestix on May 16, 2007 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, it is something to think about

But not if we are drafting on pure talent.

Besides, I like our odds of developing Porcello a lot better now that Dayton is running the ship instead of Allard. I don't know what our deal was with messing up pitchers, and I don't know how much of that Dayton has fixed, but you have to like Atlanta's pedigree when it comes to raising young pitchers. I wouldn't be surprised if Dayton picks Porcello just to show everyone that yes, the Royals CAN and WILL turn a young pitcher into a young star, not a flameout or bust.

There's obviously a huge risk factor taking a high school pitcher, but as you mention, 18-22 is the most dangerous age range, and a lot of college guys will fall in that range as well, PLUS most of the college draftees will have had very heavy workloads in college which can lead to future arm problems. With Porcello, we'd get a chance to stop any abuse on his arm early (hopefully) and nurture him through the injury nexus safely.

I think the biggest concerns with Porcello (that he could get hurt or be a complete bust) apply to everyone in the draft to some extent, obviously there is no sure thing. But I think if you are drafting on talent alone you have to throw risks out the window. That's what the Giants did taking Lincecum, and look how well that turned out (so far).

Anyway, looking forward to both the real draft and your mock draft. Should be really interesting. Like you said, this could be a HUGE draft for us...a lot of depth.

Good luck.

by ajohnst1 on May 16, 2007 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

I'm on board with you, AJ. I think Dayton proved in Atlanta that he is able to develop talent. I personally like Porcello better than Price at this point. I think he has the most upside of any player in the draft, and he's already pretty damn good IMO.

Give the kid the opportunity to succeed, and I think he will show why he is the best talent in the draft. It didn't hurt that he just threw a no-no on Friday either. Factoring in that Price probably won't go number one due to him throwing vintage Dice-K stat lines this season, and we could be looking at Porcello going 1 to TB.

If that happens, I am all about Vitters. The kid can flat hit, and I see him raking in his first full season in the minors.

I won't claim to be a pro, but I do look forward to making this a fun draft, and I will happily shed my thoughts as time goes on. This looks to be a deeper draft than last season, especially if AZ doesn't sign Scherzer before the deadline.

Hopefully, the Royals will have a stronger draft than last year with the signability Hoch going #1! You know Sh*t hit the fan with Dayton when he heard they passed on both Miller and Lincecum to go with a pitcher that is good, yes, but has little upside compared to those two. Anyway, thanks for the Porcello insight. Here's to hoping we land him quickly.

by ZackAttack on May 16, 2007 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

man

I think you should go with Matt Wieters. I really like what he brings to the table.

by limozeen on May 16, 2007 7:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That would be a legit pick

My thinking is that in the actual draft is that Vitters offers a better or more well rounded offensive package at potentially half the price.

by riktermiller on May 16, 2007 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm a fan

but I also think this is a deep draft at catcher, and I don't see enough reason why he should be a top 2 pick, yet Arencibia, Canham, and Donaldson will probably fall out of the 1st round.

Founder of the Rowdy Hardy Fan Club

by eazyb81 on May 16, 2007 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, there could be catchers available later...

But if we are going with a BPA strategy, rather than need, that shouldn't matter much. A good case can be made for Wieters being the best hitter available in the draft and could be the BPA at #2.

by KCSlayer on May 16, 2007 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A case could be made....

but i'm not sure how definitive it would be. Wieters has had a very good year, but it hasn't been that fantastic year everyone was expecting. The other top college catchers have put up similar lines (some even better).

Also, you have to consider a potential position switch for Wieters. It may not be immediate, but it could happen a couple years down the line. If he moves to, say, 1st base, I think he becomes about a league average player at that position.

Founder of the Rowdy Hardy Fan Club

by eazyb81 on May 17, 2007 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Price

Any chance that Tampa passes on him.

by adschofield on May 16, 2007 8:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If his arm falls off!

As for this mock who knows.

by riktermiller on May 16, 2007 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Real Life? Probably Not

But in this mock, I think there may be a decent chance that Tampa's S.D. (y.a.k.) takes Wieters at #1. Of course it could just be talk at this point.

Founder of the Rowdy Hardy Fan Club

by eazyb81 on May 16, 2007 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Real Life? Probably Not

But in this mock, I think there may be a decent chance that Tampa's S.D. (y.a.k.) takes Wieters at #1. Of course it could just be talk at this point.

Founder of the Rowdy Hardy Fan Club

by eazyb81 on May 16, 2007 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Price

I was reading on Baseball America that TB had narrowed it down to 3 players, and that many organizations would not be surprised if TB did not take Price. Of course, it could just be talk.

by adschofield on May 16, 2007 8:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

real life

Tampa Bay is taking Price. It's as close to a lock as you're going to get. They've worked with his agent before and the GM Friedman has been praising Price for the last few months.

Rays in '08....

by youALREADYknow on May 17, 2007 12:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Seems like

you really almost can't go wrong here.

by wildthang on May 17, 2007 5:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Agree

I think it's a good spot. Price should be gone, but there will be some great options still available.

Founder of the Rowdy Hardy Fan Club

by eazyb81 on May 17, 2007 9:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rounds 2-5

Any suggestions you would like to throw out for rounds 2 through 5? This is a deep HS class so there will some great talent available in the mid-rounds.

Who do you have your eye on? Any names interest you?

Founder of the Rowdy Hardy Fan Club

by eazyb81 on May 17, 2007 11:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

2

Round 2:

SS Justin Jackson - GG caliber defense, 15-20 HR pop

LHP Joe Savary - 90 MPH fastball, plus changeup and sharp curve

LHP Nick Schmidt - Similar to Savary, only with a slider instead of a curve

RHP Nevin Griffith - Was around 92-94 in his draft video, with a sharp slider around 80. Also throws a hard curve at 86-88, but needs work on that. Poise beyond his years on the mound.

Dunno if any of those will fall, but must swoop if they do.

by doublestix on May 17, 2007 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re:

I'm high on Jackson, Griffith, and Schmidt, and they will definitely be part of the group of players I will target in the 2nd.

I'm a bit iffy on Savery, as his shoulder still scares me. If he would have had a big year I wouldn't be worried but that didn't happen.

Founder of the Rowdy Hardy Fan Club

by eazyb81 on May 17, 2007 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

round 2

some ideas for round 2:

HS pitchers:
Greg Peavey
Tanner Robles
Julian Sampson

I don't hear much about Corey Brown at Ok St. he's got incredible #'s, I don't know if scout don't think he has the tools or what.

J. Jackson is someone I've heard good things about but he's represented by Boras

by nwroyal on May 17, 2007 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good Names

I am definitely interested in Peavey and Robles. It's amazing how many young, talented pitchers there are in this draft.

Founder of the Rowdy Hardy Fan Club

by eazyb81 on May 17, 2007 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Closer

Cole St. Clair- Closer from Rice

by adschofield on May 17, 2007 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Some think

He could be a starter professionally. I saw a mock early in the year that had KC taking him a #2!!!

by doublestix on May 18, 2007 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here's some prospects that I like

In no particular order

Kentrail Davis- HS- OF
Ryan Dent-HS- IF
Danny Duffy-HS-SP
Justin Jackson-HS-SS
Kellen Kulbacki-James Madison-OF
Travis Mattair-HS-IF
Greg Peavy-HS-SP
Kevin Rhoderick-HS-SP
Austin Romine-HS-C
Victor Sanchez-HS-3B
Tommy Toledo-HS-SP
Matt West-HS-IF
Chris Withrow-HS-SP

by adschofield on May 19, 2007 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs