Burlington and Wilmington are at their All Star break so I am interested to hear what RR thinks about Royals minor league player of the year.  We haven't had a minor league report card for a while.

POY - Joe Dickerson - Wilmington (in a landslide).  He has a .911 OPS, .325 Avg., 41 RBI on only 5HRs.  Joe has stolen 23 bases also.  Both those stats and KC has an everyday prospect!  Wilmington is a pitcher friendly park so for me, that makes the numbers that much better.  Honorable Mention - Mike Aviles (the new darling of online fandom). 

Pitcher of the Year - I'll go with Edgar Cegarra and Carlos Rosa in a dead heat.  Both dominated their respective leagues and got promoted early.  Cegarra is only 19 years old so that is a huge plus.  Rosa being in KC was a surprise but used correctly, he can get some valuable experience until Bale and/or Nunez return.

What do you think? Predictions for the second half? ?

With the news of the Reds promoting several players, what do teams look for when they are promoting players so early in the season?  Is it dominating the league?  Age?  Other prospects pushing forward? 

For example, KC has Carlos Rosa at AA and he is really strong for the Texas League.  He has 1.38 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 6/38 BB/K ratio.  At 23, I would think he would be promoted.  Of course, last year Rowdy Hardy stayed at Wilmington all year at age 23.  Besides the fact that KC doesn't always seem to have a clue in the development area, what does an organization look for when promoting prospects to the next level? 

I enjoy following all aspects of the Royals organization from KC down to Arizona Rookie League.  Tracking the minor leaguers' progress is one of the fun parts of looking at the box score each day.  Like some of you other minor league enthusiasts, I do like to see how Clint Robinson or Mike Moustakas did last night.  I also want to know if Blake Wood had a good start in Wilmington or if Rowdy Hardy shut down the opponents.

I  have been shocked at how poorly KC's entire organization is hitting this season.  The KC problems are well documented but I am wondering if the problem is more deeply rooted than this.  Yes, I know it is early and panic should not set in yet.  Two hot weeks and averages can sky rocket.  It's baseball.  But the overwhelming stats for every level of KC's organization has struck me that something is not right.

Here are the team stats for each level.  I selected OPS, BA, BB/K ratio and runs scored as a starting point.

Burlington - Low A Midwest League

OPS.610  BA - .211  BB/K 55/146    Runs Scored 11th out of 14th

Individuals of note:  Top 30 prospects or high draft picks

Mike Moustakas  OPS - .475, BA - .204  BB/K 5/9

Jason Taylor OPS - .703, BA - .196 BB/K 10/14

Wilmington - High A Carolina League

OPS. .622  BA - .211  BB/K 71/140    Runs Scored 8th of 8

Individuals of Note - Top 30 prospects or high draft picks

Chad McConnell .429, .131, 8/7

Jeff Bianchi .390, .136  3/16

Derrick Robinson .564, .222, 6/17

NWA - Double A Texas League

OPS .564, BA .204 BB/K - 55/124   Runs scored 8th of 8

Individuals of Note: 

Marc Maddox .380, 145, 3/14

Mario Lisson .483, .169 1/18

Jose Duarte .504, .172 9/13

Brian McFall .637, .184 8/11

Omaha is actually doing pretty well .803, 270, 49/115 6th out of 16 Runs scored.  They have many AAAA players like who haven't been able to establish themselves as true prospects like Jason Smith, Shane Costa, Mitch Maier, Ryan Shealy, and Mike Aviles.

Individual of note:

Chris Lubanski .705, .233 5/21

There are some players like Clint Robinson, Adrian Ortiz, Joe Dickerson, Kurt Mertins who are having good starts.  Mike Aviles is putting up serious hitting numbers again at Omaha.  However, the overall health of KC's top hitting prospects is poor.  Can it be coincidence that so many Royals are struggling at the plate?  One or two slow starts - maybe - it is baseball.  So many at one time have me thinking that hitting is an organizational problem. 

I am probably overdoing it for so early in the season as many fans do.  But I look for the KC bullpen to be a strength of the team in 2008.  After listening to Soria and Nunez dominant these first two games, they continue to pitch like they did in 2007.  Nunez has shown the ability to dominant in short bursts of an inning or two.  Soria continues to show the poise and confidence of a veteran along with great control.  When he is in the game with the lead, I feel confident that KC will win.  It was been a long time since I have felt that way with the Royals bullpen.

Over the next few games, we'll get a chance to see the new pitchers like Mahay, Yabuta, and Ramirez.  If they can perform up to previous levels, I like what they can add.  Gobble is consistent and I do think that Peralta will be back with Olivo comes off suspension.  Both Gobble and Peralta are stable based on the past.

The depth of bullpen goes into the minors as well.  If/When Hochevar and Davies are ready for the rotation, both Bale and Tomko could go to the pen and be effective.  If injuries happen (which they will), add Musser, Braun, Salmon, Duckworth and Tsao to the short term help that is available.  Overall that is a group of 7 more relievers who could help the Royals in 2008. 

Am I just drunk on the league leading Royals success or does the bullpen look good?  Yes, I know after posting this the pen will get torched but right now, I see the bullpen as a strength. 

heckle, ride, complain about and generally bitch and bemoan for the 2008 season?  I'd like to have a name for this awe inspiring award but have yet to come up with one.  Without the Devil, Buddy, Nationwide, Scott Elarton and Jason LaRue, we'll have to choose a few new targets.

To me, the early favorite looks like Tomko.  

Any suggestions or thoughts?

It is that time of year when the roster moves will be made - players sent down, released, DFA or traded.  KC always seems to come up with a guy on opening day roster that hasn't been with the team for long.

What are the predictions for player moves in the last week?  

Here are a few of mine:

1.  Leo Nunez sticks with the team as the last reliever in the pen.  Musser, Lawrence, Maroth, Davies, Hochevar, and Tsao go to Omaha.  
   
2.  Nomo is given release.
   
3.  Huber will not make the final roster.  
   
4.  Dark horse for the opening day roster is Matt Tupman since Olivo will be suspended.  
   
5.  Ryan Shealy begins season at Omaha since he has options.
   
6.  The Rose is traded to a team in need of starters like Washington or Florida.  Not much in return comes back to KC - a minor leaguer at best.  

I am intrigued by Hideo Nomo's pitching today.  Does he have anything left in the tank?  What would KC do with him if he has a descent ST?  When he was first signed, I knew it was more for Yabuta than anything else.  However, if he is able to get batters out, what do they do with him?  

I am also curious about how staff decisions will be made.  
Who are the pitchers that are safe regardless of how they perform on the field?

Who will have to earn a spot?

Who will get cut (send down, DFAed, or waived) regardless of what they do?  

Who is potential trade bait?

How great is it to read stories about what is happening on the field than off?  Bob Dutton's article on Joel Peralta was good.

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/royals/story/505439.html

I am thinking about these things.  What are your thoughts on:  

1.  I was surprised to see Peralta had more innings as a KC reliever than anyone in last 15 years with 87 2/3 last year.  Only Guerrier from Twins had more.
2.  What is the danger of Peralta having arm trouble this season with that kind of a workload?
3.  Peralta is the kind of underrated bullpen type that every winning team has and needs.  Takes the ball, doesn't complain about his role, and provides leadership for others.  Is Peralta a lock for the 2008 pen even though he has an option left?
4.  The bullpen depth in KC has me optimistic - I believe the locks are Soria, Mahay, Yabuta, Gobble, Bale and Peralta.  If KC goes with 11 man staff, that leaves everyone else out including Leo Nunez (out of options) who could be a stud in a 1-2 inning role.  How will KC use its depth in the pen?  

KC Star has interesting article on Joey Gathright

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/royals/story/499086.html

For me, it is more condemnation of Buddy Bell for not giving Joey the green light.  As badly as KC was at scoring runs in 2007, Gathright couldn't run except when BB gave him the green light.  Guess BB was waiting for the 3 run homer.  RR fans are running out of chances to bash Buddy so get in while you can.

Haven't heard much conversation about Gathright's role in 2008.  In thinking about KC's roster, the player I see as the most redundant in position and ability is Ross Gload.  He is a backup 1B of which we have Butler and Shealy.  Teahen and Gordon can cover 1B, too.  Can't forget Huber who is out of options and could be backup LF/C/DH.  And Gload is a backup LH outfielder of which we have Gathright who can play all 3 spots.  Costa, Maier, Lubanski are in the mix, too.  

Although I think Gload could be a valuable role player for the right team, just don't see it being with KC in 2008.  Gathright has that one plus skill in speed which people like in backup players.  Shealy's ST will play in huge part in whether Gload makes KC roster or not.

Without having much of my shopping list done for Christmas, I am posting a new diary.  At least I have my priorities right!  I have a feeling that the Royals aren't done filling out the 25 man roster.  So, there is a shopping topic:

1.  What do you think the Royals are still shopping for and will they be able to get it done?  
2.  If you could put one thing on your Santa' wish list, who or what would it be?  Please Royals topics only - no, super model girl friend responses.  

1.  A.  Looking for another pitcher or two for the back end of the rotation like Jason Jennings or Matt Clement.  Hope they don't sign Silva for 4/48.  They'll regret it sooner than later.
    B.  KC will move one of their OF surplus to create playing time.  They have extreme depth in the 4th/5th OF position.  Teahen, DeJesus, Guillen in starting lineup.  Butler as DH (don't include him in LF mix).  Bench types includes:  Costa, Gathright, Huber, Lubanski, Maier, German, Callaspo, Gload.  That is too many for KC

2.  Alex Gordon becomes the superstar that was predicted for him.  320, 30, 110 and the face of the franchise.