BA 2018 Top 10 Prospects - 美國職棒

January 05, 2018 By Bill Mitchell

Royals Top 10 Prospects

1. Nick Pratto, 1B
2. Khalil Lee, OF
3. Seuly Matias, OF
4. Josh Staumont, RHP
5. Eric Skoglund, LHP
6. M.J. Melendez, C
7. Nicky Lopez, SS/2B
8. Hunter Dozier, 3B/OF
9. Foster Griffin, LHP
10. Scott Blewett, RHP

Pratto, a left-handed hitter out of Huntington Beach, California, hit
.247/.330/.414 with four home runs in 52 games of Arizona Rookie ball last
year. Baseball America writer Bill Mitchell writes that Pratto profiles as a
“middle-of-the-order hitter” with a smooth swing and an approach to all
fields, and seems confident that the 19-year old will develop more power.

Another young hitter comes in at #2 on the list, with outfielder Khalil Lee
praised for his power and bat speed. Mitchell raises concerns about Lee’s
mechanics but adds that his strikeout rate should not be a concern because of
his high walk rate. Lee hit .237/.344/.430 with 17 home runs, 65 walks, and
171 strikeouts in 121 games for low-A Lexington last year.

Outfielder Seuly Matias, who comes in at #3, may have the best power
potential in the system for the Royals. While he has plate discipline issues,
Mitchell notes that Matias improved at chasing breaking pitches. Matias hit
.243/.297/.423 with seven home runs in 57 games for rookie ball Burlington.

Pitchers Josh Staumont, Eric Skoglund come in at #4 and #5, with 2017 draft
pick M.J. Melendez, a catcher, at #6. Infielder Nicky Lopez comes in strong
at #7 with Hunter Dozier at #8 despite an injury-filled season. Pitchers
Foster Griffin and Scott Blewett round out the list. Mitchell writes that
Pratto, Matias, and Lee all have the potential to be “impact bats”, but
that the pitching is very thin in the organization.

The system is not particularly strong right now, but with trades, potentially
five picks in the top 50 of this June’s draft, and a larger international
bonus pool this summer with no restrictions, the Royals could change this
list quickly in a year. Will the front office be up to the task?

For each organization, we identify the 10 prospects with the highest
ceilings, with consideration given to the likelihood of reaching those
ceilings.

To qualify as a prospect, a position player cannot exceed 130 big league
at-bats, while a pitcher cannot exceed 50 innings or 30 relief appearances.
These thresholds mirror major league rookie qualifications, albeit without
regard for major league service time.

Notable Graduations: OF Jorge Bonifacio (9).

Trending:▼ Royals fans have endured rebuilds before. At least this time the
front office has a track record of success as a proof of concept.

SYSTEM OVERVIEW

Strengths: The top three prospects in this system--Nick Pratto, Khalil Lee
and Seuly Matias--all have the potential to be impact bats in a few years.
They're all many years away, but provide tantalizing glimpses of hope for a
strong future in Kansas City.

Weaknesses: The top arms in this system, Eric Skoglund and Josh Staumont,
have struggled with their command. Staumont in particular took a step back,
walking nearly 8 batters per nine innings in 2017. They've also had a very
rough run in the draft, with their top picks from 2011 through 2016
struggling with either performance or injuries. Two of those picks--lefty
Brandon Finnegan and righty A.J. Puckett--have already been traded. Their top
pick in 2015, righty Ashe Russell, has taken a leave of absence from baseball
after early struggles in his pro career.

BEST TOOLS

☆Best Hitter for Average: Emmanuel Rivera.
☆Best Power Hitter: Chase Vallot.
☆Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Nicky Lopez.
☆Fastest Baserunner: Terrance Gore.
☆Best Athlete: Khalil Lee.
☆Best Fastball: Josh Staumont.
☆Best Curveball: Josh Staumont.
☆Best Slider: Richard Lovelady.
☆Best Changeup: Foster Griffin.
☆Best Control: Jace Vines.
☆Best Defensive Catcher: Cam Gallagher.
☆Best Defensive INF: Nicky Lopez.
☆Best INF Arm: Emmanuel Rivera.
☆Best Defensive OF: Bubba Starling.
☆Best OF Arm: Seuly Matias.

PROJECTED 2021 LINEUP

(Listed with 2021 season age)

◇C Salvador Perez (31)
◇1B Nick Pratto (22)
◇2B Nicky Lopez (26)
◇3B Cheslor Cuthbert (28)
◇SS Raul A. Mondesi (25)
◇LF Seuly Matias (22)
◇CF Khalil Lee (23)
◇RF Jorge Bonifacio (28)
◇DH Hunter Dozier (28)
◇SP Danny Duffy (32)
◇SP Jake Junis (28)
◇SP Josh Staumont (27)
◇SP Eric Skoglund (28)
◇SP Foster Griffin (25)
◇CL Kelvin Herrera (31)

TOP PROSPECTS OF THE DECADE

(Listed with 2017 organization)

◇2008: SS Mike Moustakas (Royals) | WAR: 11.4
◇2009: 3B Mike Moustakas (Royals) | WAR: **
◇2010: LHP Mike Montgomery (Cubs) | WAR: 4.9
◇2011: 1B Eric Hosmer (Royals) | WAR: 14.1
◇2012: LHP Mike Montgomery (Cubs) | WAR: **
◇2013: RHP Kyle Zimmer (Royals) | WAR: N/A
◇2014: RHP Kyle Zimmer (Royals) | WAR: N/A
◇2015: SS Raul A. Mondesi (Royals) | WAR: -1.1
◇2016: SS Raul A. Mondesi (Royals) | WAR: -1.1
◇2017: RHP Josh Staumont (Royals) | Top 10

TOP PROSPECTS OF THE DECADE

(Listed with 2017 organization)

◇2008: SS Mike Moustakas (Royals) | WAR: 11.4
◇2009: 3B Mike Moustakas (Royals) | WAR: **
◇2010: LHP Mike Montgomery (Cubs) | WAR: 4.9
◇2011: 1B Eric Hosmer (Royals) | WAR: 14.1
◇2012: LHP Mike Montgomery (Cubs) | WAR: **
◇2013: RHP Kyle Zimmer (Royals) | WAR: N/A
◇2014: RHP Kyle Zimmer (Royals) | WAR: N/A
◇2015: SS Raul A. Mondesi (Royals) | WAR: -1.1
◇2016: SS Raul A. Mondesi (Royals) | WAR: -1.1
◇2017: RHP Josh Staumont (Royals) | Top 10



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