Winter Watch: Jorge Bonifacio Heating Up

The past week for the Royals prospects in the Arizona Fall League has been a mixed bag of results. Although it was a short week for the AFL due to the All-Star Game, there was still plenty of time for several players to make an impact upon the Peoria Javelinas, and for others to have their future potentially questioned.

Jorge Bonifacio: Despite playing in just two games for the Javelinas, Bonifacio started to show signs of heating up. In nine plate appearances, he had two walks and two hits with a run batted in. Considering how he had only one walk and nine strikeouts in his previous eight games, any sign of patience at the plate is a positive.

Cheslor Cuthbert: Cuthbert had also struggled during his time in the AFL this season, but has been better in his past two games as well. In his past eight plate appearances, Cuthbert has a hit and two walks, scoring twice while driving in a run. Perhaps Cuthbert is also starting to warm up for Peoria.

Orlando Calixte: On the other end of the spectrum is Calixte. As much as he has struggled in the AFL, he has had a rougher time of it as of late. In his last nine at bats, he has one hit and has struck out four times. On the positive side, he has scored twice, but it is difficult to utilize Calixte’s speed when he has not been able to get on base.

Lane Adams: Adams had struggled more than any other Royals prospect in the AFL, but he has been on fire after the break. Although he has only played in two games, Adams has two hits, three walks and an RBI in his last nine plate appearances. Although he has struck out twice as well, Adams has certainly looked better as of late.

Now, to look at the pitching prospects.

Jason Adam: Adam made one start, and had mixed results. On the positive side, Adam gave up only four hits and struck out six in his five innings of work. However, two of those hits were home runs, and Adam gave up three earned runs in taking the loss. Home runs have been a problem for Adam as of late, as he has given up four homers in his past fourteen innings. This may be something worth keeping an eye on going forward.

Angel Baez: Beaz had struggled before the break, and not much has changed after. In two innings, Baez gave up two more runs on two hits and three walks. He continued to demonstrate his ability to strike people out, getting three more strikeouts in those two games. However, it may be fair to wonder if he could benefit from dialing the velocity down a notch for better control. It may be worth looking into.

Malcom Culver: Culver has had the best run of any of the Royals pitchers in Peoria this past week. In his two innings in relief, Culver only surrendered a walk while striking out two batters. Culver seemingly had a breakthrough season in the minors last season, and has continued that performance over his past four outings.

Noel Arguelles: Arguelles had given up almost two baserunners an inning, and has actually been worse over his past two outings. In 2.2 innings, Arguelles has walked a ridiculous six batters, including five in a horrific performance when he gave up four runs while recording two outs. For the week, he gave up five runs on two hits and six walks, which may have dimmed his status as a prospect enough to wonder if he will ever be able to figure things out on the mound.