FtFP: Billy Butler, FIP, Haiku, Buck, Signings, and Top-100s

In this edition of From the Fish Pond; some thoughts on Billy Butler’s upcoming season, FIP, a haiku, John Buck spin, four minor league signings, top-100 lists from Baseball America and Project Prospect, and a scouting video on Aaron Meade.

Earlier this week Tom Reese of Hot Stove.com sent me the following question:

"What type of production can Royals fans expect out of first baseman Billy Butler this season?"

If you want to read my response you’ll have to click here.  I’m sure most people will view my prediction as overly optimistic, but such is life.  At the end of the year I am confident that Billy will make me look really smart.  Frankly I need all the help I can get.

Last week, the Royals were also well represented on Hot Stove TV thanks to appearances by Brian McRae and Bob Dutton.

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I’m trying to get on the FIP bandwagon and Marlin Maniac blogger, Michael Jong, has been helping me out with some recommended reading.  Here are the links if you are interested:

Evaluating Pitchers with FIP, Part I and Part II
Pitching to Contact and FIP

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Babes Love Baseball recently posted their season preview haiku on the Kansas City Royals.

Part of the Royals spin on the Kendall signing was that his presence would make the pitching staff better.  Funny thing is that the Blue Jays are claiming John Buck will do the same thing in Toronto.  Someone please tell me why we have Kendall and not Buck.  Please?

Tom Singer, of MLB.com, published an article on Billy Butler this afternoon.  In it there were several quotes from Billy about his preference to play 1B.

"“So,” Butler added, “there was nothing tough for me about [moving to a new position]. The tough part was DH, so I loved every minute of being on the field. I was just excited to be out there. Absolutely, you feel more into the game. I’m fine with playing first base every single day.”"

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According to the Baseball America the Royals made four minor league signings around the middle of February.

RHP-Jose Brazoban (31) last pitched in organized baseball back in 2000 and logged 4.1 innings of independent ball back in 2005.  His career ERA is 9.08 to go along with a 2.40 WHIP and 0.77 SO/BB.

RHP-Roque Colon (21) last pitched professionally with the Burlington Royals in 2008.  He has 34.1 career minor league innings to his credit with an 8.91 ERA, 2.27 WHIP, and 1.06 SO/BB.

OF-Rene Oriental (25) last played professionally for the AZL Royals back in 2003.  In 343 minor league PA he has hit 0.232/.295/.356, but that was back when he was playing as a 18 and 19 year old in rookie ball.

I couldn’t find any information on RHP-Enrique Franco.

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Top-100 prospect lists have been released by Baseball America and Project Prospect.

On the Baseball America list, the Royals were one of ten teams to have four prospects make the list.  In addition to those ten, the Cubs and Indians had five while the Rays led all of baseball with seven players in the top-100.  All five AL Central teams had between three and five prospects each.  Mike Montgomery was the top ranked Royals prospect at #39, followed by Aaron Crow at #40, Mike Moustakas at #80, and Noel Arguelles at #100.  In an ESPN SportsNation chat, Jim Callis revealed that Eric Hosmer just missed the cut and that Wil Myers also received some consideration.

The Project Prospect list essentially revealed 51-100 since the top-50 was published on February 6th.  Mike Montgomery is the top ranked Royals farmhand at #52.  He is joined by only one other Royals prospect, Wil Myers, who checks in at #56.

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Baseball Beginnings recently published a Scouting Video on LHP-Aaron Meade who pitches for Missouri State.  Since he has local ties he’s worth keeping tabs on.  I have a brother-in-law who goes to school there so I am contemplating a road trip to visit him and take in an Aaron Meade start while I’m down there.

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(Wally Fish is the lead blogger for Kings of Kauffman and FanSided’s MLB Director.  Subscribe to his RSS feed and add him on Twitter to follow him daily.)