Kansas City Royals Top 20 Prospects
- Denny Bautista, RHP, B+
- Billy Butler, 1B-3B, B+
- J.P. Howell, LHP, B+
- Justin Huber, 1B-C, B
- Mark Teahen, 3B, B
- Billy Buckner, RHP, B
- Ambiorix Burgos, RHP, B-
- Shane Costa, OF, B-
- Matt Campbell, LHP, B-
- Don Murphy, 2B, B-
- Mike Aviles, SS, B-
- Andy Sisco, LHP, C+
- Mitch Maier, OF-3B, C+ (grade change)
- Andres Blanco, SS, C+
- Ryan Braun, RHP, C+
- Leo Nunez, RHP, C+
- Chris Lubanski, OF, C+
- Brian McFall, OF, C+
- Josh Johnson, 2B, C+
- Justin Huisman, RHP, C
I don't think that Teahen will ever be the power hitter that the Royals dream of, but he should hit .280, with walks, doubles, 10-15 homers, and good defense. He'll be a reasonable replacement for Joe Randa. Pitchers Bautista and Ambiorix Burgos have awesome arms, but have to show better command. 2004 college draftee pitcher J.P. Howell, Billy Buckner, and Matt Campbell should make short work of A-ball, but we need to see what they do in Double-A. I'm very optimistic about Howell in particular. Rule 5 pick Andy Sisco looks good in early camp and will probably stick on the roster. First-round pick Billy Butler annihilated the Pioneer League, combining power production with a high batting average and excellent strike zone judgment. His main problem is defense, and he will end up at first base.
I'm changing Mitch Maier's grade from a slightly overoptimistic B- to C+. He's no longer a third baseman, but as an outfielder he'll need to show more power. Andres Blanco has an awesome glove and is young enough to still improve his hitting. Watch Josh Johnson, a third-round pick last year who drew 56 walks in his first 57 pro games.
Reliever Ryan Braun has a great slider. Leo Nunez, acquired from the Pirates for Benito Santiago, owns a 95 MPH fastball and decent control, but has had elbow problems and needs to work on his breaking stuff.
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Gotay?
by lfeyh on Mar 1, 2005 1:03 PM EST reply actions
Lubanski
yes
High-A
it will take some getting used to--mentally adjusting numbers that we have expected to be low for hitters in Wilmington.
High Desert
If anything the effect is more mental than anything.
by vandalmann on Mar 1, 2005 5:14 PM EST up reply actions
gotay
huber
huber
Buck
by ohad @ Minor League Ball on Mar 1, 2005 1:17 PM EST reply actions
buck
Thanks
by ohad @ Minor League Ball on Mar 1, 2005 3:27 PM EST up reply actions
Sisco
Aviles
Thoughts?
by nabengt on Mar 1, 2005 1:47 PM EST reply actions
aviles
Re: Aviles
by nabengt on Mar 1, 2005 5:22 PM EST up reply actions
Gary Perez
Gary Perez: I know we only have his DSL numbers, but they were excellent. any thoughts on him?
also, early thoughts on who we should take with #2 pick (assuming upton is gone)?
perez
Too early to tell on the draft, too. Alex Gordon of Nebraska is an obvious candidate. Mike Pelfrey of Wichita State would be another, although there is a Boras Factor there, plus Wichita State pitchers have a bad injury track record. The high school class hasn't really shaken out yet other than Upton.
Billy Buckner
by smokhaus on Mar 1, 2005 4:21 PM EST reply actions
Billy Butler
butler
Just hitting
by AaronMullen on Mar 2, 2005 8:47 AM EST up reply actions
Lubanski & Baldelli
It seems he has similar tools to Baldelli? Baldelli struggled his first couple years as well.
Am I reaching on this one?
by Trader J on Mar 1, 2005 5:06 PM EST reply actions
reach
Kaanoi and Bass
kaanoi
Bass, eh....want to see if he's healthy.
Hughes
hughes
Hughes
Damn
That would suck so much.
Leo Nunez
by BowmanChromeAddict on Mar 1, 2005 11:17 PM EST reply actions

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