Hosmer is worrying….

I’m probably higher on Crow and Myers than most. Mongomery and Duffy are great. Melville too.

I love this system right now

Mike Montgomery is the Royals number one prospect right now, both in terms of potential and performance over the past season. His 2009 performance rates as at least an A- (great projectability, great K/BB ratio, reportedly improved offspeed stuff and fastball velocity, several dominating performances including a 2 hit, 12 strikeout game over 6 shutout innings). You could argue for Crow as the Royals number one prospect but I would be wary of rating someone with ZERO minor league experience, at age 23, as this system’s best prospect.

Based on potential, I would rate Montgomery no higher than an A- (if you think he has legit #1 starter potential) but no lower than a B+ (if you think he is more a #1/#2 type). Overall, I would rate Montgomery overall as an A- when push comes to shove.

So under that rationale, neither Moustakas nor Hosmer merit an A- grade. Their performances at the same level as Montgomery were disappointing, while Montgomery’s was very promising. Furthermore, in terms of potential, a ceiling number one starter is, in my opinion, more valuable than a ceiling all-star caliber corner IF/OF (at this point it’s difficult to argue even that ceiling for either Moustakas or Hosmer). So, no A-.

Do they merit a B+ grade? Hosmer definitely does not. You rated him as a B+ this past offseason and his performance in 2009 did not merit that grade, all optimism for his future and reported vision problems notwithstanding. So you have to drop Hosmer to at least a B and maybe a B-. I would give him the benefit of the doubt and rate him as a B. Despite his struggles at the plate with contact, he maintained strong plate discipline and his defense is reportedly excellent. This may be a glass half full approach but I think it has merit.

Moustakas is a tougher call. He has had one very good year of hitting and one mediocre year of hitting, but both in difficult hitting parks and leagues. If he can figure out how to spray the ball to all fields and temper his aggressive approach within reason during his AFL stint, then the bat is definitely legitimate and it would not surprise me if his offensive numbers improved tremendously across the board in AA. But, unlike Hosmer, he has no defensive value at this point and is a below average baserunner. His only plus tool outside of his bat is a tremendous throwing arm. (Sidenote - it’s interesting how, if he would have put up the numbers he did this season as a catcher we would not be viewing his 2009 as that much of a disappointment. Just a ‘what if’ to take into consideration). With Moustakas, if you believe in the bat and think that the glove is not that much of an issue, give him a B+. If you’re cautious about the bat and think that the glove is a big question mark, give him a B.

I would actually go with a B for Moustakas. I think he will hit for power but I question whether he will ever develop the requisite discipline at the plate. And the glove is a big concern for me. He’s already moved positions on the diamond and likely will again, and I question the Royals organization’s ability to groom him at a position where his natural tools would add tremendous value, such as C (not likely). More likely, the Royals will just take a halfway apporach and put him in a position where his defensive shortcomings are less exposed such as a corner OF position or DH.

So in all, both Hosmer and Moustakas are grade B players for me. There are definite tools to work with and a lot of potential for both (perhaps even all-star potential), but also some question marks that have only been highlighted by disappointing performances in 2009.

I’d take Montgomery over Crow

but Crow over Duffy and Melville

do the Royals have any relievers coming up left?

I bet K.C. is wishing they would have selected Justin Smoak right about now, despite the bit more $ it would have taken.

how did he last untill the 5th round?

solid solid reliever

probably not a future closer but 7th inning type of guy, I could see for sure.

There’s no question that both took a step back this year. If you take Moustakas’ home/road splits though, he certainly was hurt by the home park at Wilmington. He still hit for pretty good power, performed well in the playoffs, and is now performing in the AFL. Also, his defense was pretty solid from all accounts too. He was an A to A- for me coming into the year, and I now think he’s an A- to B+.

The Royals continue to perplex me. Why oh why did they move Hosmer up to Wilmington mid-season. If it was confidence related, then i’m certainly unsure how moving him to Wilmington High-A would bolster it. He certainly was not prepared for it. From what i’ve read from reputable scouts/critics, he had vision problems and came back after the lasik surgery with better reviews. He’s still so young and the talent is there, so I’m not overly panicking. Still, I moved him down from B+ to B on my own list.

“When you draft a 1b in the first round, then you are obviously drafting him for his bat. To pass on a polished, near MLB ready 1b like Smoak, then the Royals must view Hosmer as having significantly higher upside.”

they did. like, everybody did. a lot of folks were saying he was one of the best HS bats in the last 20 years to come out. so it really wasn’t silly at all.