Kansas City Royals Top 15 Prospects After 2015 Season

Right now, much of the focus is on the Kansas City Royals major league squad. It certainly makes sense, as they are counting down the days until the end of the regular season and the beginning of the playoffs. After all, the Royals have some unfinished business left to take care of when it comes to October baseball.

While the focus is on the here and now, it makes sense to look towards the future of the franchise as well. The minor league system has undergone quite a few changes, with prospects like Sean Manaea and Brandon Finnegan being sent away as the Royals sought to bolster their chances for postseason success. Meanwhile, other prospects, who had seen their stock plummeting at the start of the year, managed to turn their fortunes around this season, perhaps changing their future with the organization. Other prospects, conversely, struggled this year, affecting their stock.

Now that the minor league season is over, we decided to rank the top fifteen Kansas City Royals prospects. Naturally, in setting the list to fifteen, we received 29 different names from the six participants. After tabulating the votes, the rankings are set.

So, join us as we venture through the top prospects that the Royals have to offer. Perhaps someday soon, we will see a few of their players performing in Kauffman Stadium, keeping the latest Golden Age of Royals baseball alive and well.

Next: The Honorable Mentions

Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Honorable Mention

With fourteen players that did not make the cut, there are far too many to mention here. So, instead, let us take a look at a few players whose seasons were certainly notable, but they were not quite able to make the list.

Jose Martinez: It is hard to ignore his production after being plucked off the scrap heap as a minor league free agent by the Kansas City Royals. He set a modern day Pacific Coast League record with a .384 batting average, and displayed decent power with ten home runs and 25 doubles. However, Martinez is 27 years old, and this was his first season at the AAA level. It was a great season, but he really is not a prospect.

Alec Mills: After two seasons of bouncing between Idaho Falls and Lexington, Mills got his first chance at the High-A level, pitching for the Wilmington Blue Rocks. He was certainly impressive during his time there, posting a 3.02 ERA and a 1.200 WHiP. In his 113.1 innings, Mills displayed excellent control, walking only 14 batters against 111 strikeouts. At age 23, if he continues to progress in this manner, Mills could be quite an asset in another couple of years.

Reymond Fuentes: Despite receiving 36 plate appearances for the Padres in 2013, Fuentes is still very much a borderline prospect for the Kansas City Royals. He continued to show a solid all around game for Omaha this year, producing a .308/.360/.422 batting line with nine home runs and 29 stolen bases. While he may not be an every day player at the major league level, Fuentes could be an excellent fourth outfielder for the Royals in the near future.

Joshua Banuelos: He may have been a bit older for the Pioneer League, but there is no denying the production that Banuelos had this season. He produced an excellent .357/.420/.489 batting line, and while his four home runs were a bit disappointing, Banuelos slugged 21 doubles. Even though he is 24 years old, Banuelos has yet to play above the rookie leagues, so he still has quite a way to go.

Amalani Fukofuka: A teammate of Banuelos, Fukofuka is an interesting talent. After struggling last season with the Burlington Royals, Fukofuka began to put everything together in Idaho Falls. For the 2015 season, he posted a solid .339/.401/.500 batting line, with 18 doubles, nine triples and ten stolen bases. While Fukofuka may strike out more than one would like, with 70 strikeouts in 280 at bats, he is just 19 years old. With another strong season next year, he could be higher on the list.

Now, let us get into the top fifteen prospects for the Kansas City Royals.

Next: A potential power hitter

DH/First baseman Ryan O’Hearn during spring training 2015 (Jen Nevius).

15. Ryan O’Hearn

After being drafted in the eighth round in the 2014 MLB Amateur Draft, Ryan O’Hearn immediately made his presence felt in the Kansas City Royals farm system. He dominated the Pioneer League, producing a .361/.444/.590 batting line for the Idaho Falls Chukars, slugging 13 home runs and 16 doubles in 249 at bats. It was certainly an impressive debut.

This season, while the batting line may have decreased, O’Hearn continued to display his impressive power potential. Splitting his time between the Lexington Legends and the Wilmington Blue Rocks, O’Hearn hammered 27 home runs and 21 doubles while chipping in seven stolen bases. His .263/.339/.478 batting line may not have been close to what he produced in Idaho Falls, but O’Hearn proved that the power he displayed was not just a product of being too advanced for the Pioneer League.

Chances are, O’Hearn will begin the 2016 season back in Wilmington. He did struggle a bit during his time there, hitting at a mere .236/.315/.447 rate, while striking out 54 times in 161 at bats. His eight home runs and ten doubles showed potential, but his decreased contact rate needs to be addressed.

Ryan O’Hearn has the potential to be the next power prospect for the Kansas City Royals. However, a large part of that may depend on whether or not he can cut down on that strikeout rate and continue to punish the opposition at the higher levels.

Next: The other first round pick this year

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14. Nolan Watson

The second of the Kansas City Royals first round draft picks this past year, Nolan Watson did not seem impressive given his overall numbers. Pitching for the Burlington Royals, Watson posted a 0-3 record with a 4.91 ERA and a 1.705 WHiP, recording only 16 strikeouts in his 29.1 innings of work. This certainly was not the debut that the Royals had hoped for.

However, those overall numbers are a bit deceptive. While Watson did have his struggles, most of the damage was done in two of his eleven outings. In those two appearances, spanning a total of two innings, Watson allowed ten runs on seven hits and three walks. Ignoring those two disastrous outings, Watson had a 1.98 ERA and a 1.463 WHiP, a performance closer to what one would hope for from a top selection.

The key for Watson going forward may be how well he can develop his secondary pitches. His fastball was considered a solid enough offering when he was drafted, but he needed to develop his other offerings. If he can improve those pitches, and harness the occasional moments when he loses his command, Watson could make huge strides forward over the next couple of years.

Statistically, it was a rough debut for the Kansas City Royals second first round selection. Yet, this could prove to be quite the learning experience for Nolan Watson.

Next: A tale of two halves

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

13. Scott Blewett

Over his first eight starts of the 2015 season, Scott Blewett had appeared to have taken a step forward in his development. Through his start on July 8th, Blewett had posted a 2.82 ERA and a 1.069 WHiP, striking out 33 batters against only seven walks in 38.1 innings. He appeared set to rocket up the Kansas City Royals prospect rankings ladder.

However, he did not have anything close to that same level of success over his final ten starts of the season. Even with his outing against the West Virginia Power, where he allowed only one run in seven innings, Blewett posted a 7.33 ERA and a 1.651 WHiP, as the opposition hammered the righty at a .303/.372/.466 clip. This led to an ugly overall stat line, where Blewett posted a 5.20 ERA for the year.

The question now becomes, which pitcher is Blewett? Is he the pitcher who looked like a top prospect over the first half of the season, or the pitcher who was practically unable to record an out in the second half? The key to answering this question will be Blewett’s command. During his run of excellence, Blewett had a 1.91 BB/9 rate, while he posted a 3.56 BB/9 rate in the second half. Likewise, his strikeout rate fell from 7.75 K/9 to 5.93 K/9 in the second half.

Scott Blewett could be an interesting prospect for the Kansas City Royals, but he needs to improve his consistency. If he can do so, Blewett could be a very interesting arm in the Royals system. Otherwise, he may just tantalize and never reach his full potential.

Next: A possible fan favorite

Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

12. Brett Eibner

Brett Eibner has seemingly tantalized Kansas City Royals fans for the past few seasons with his power potential. He has never exhibited the type of raw power that Ryan O’Hearn has, but consistently reached double digit home runs during his minor league career. However, his high strikeout rate minimized the damage that Eibner was truly able to do with his bat.

This season, however, Eibner became a much more complete player. He finished the season with 23 home runs, and produced his first season with a batting average above .245. Overall, Eibner produced a .303/.364/.514 batting line, to go along with 23 doubles and ten stolen bases. Eibner’s potential seems to have finally manifested itself.

The biggest difference came with the improved contact rate. Prior to this season, Eibner had a career 29.7% strikeout rate, which decreased to 18.3% during the 2015 campaign. Yes, Eibner’s walk rate decreased from his previous career mark of 11.8% to 8.8% this season, but that may actually be a positive sign. Eibner appears to have become more aggressive at the plate, attacking the zone instead of passively waiting for the perfect pitch.

It may be that Brett Eibner is never more than a fourth outfielder for the Kansas City Royals, but he certainly turned that potential into production this season. Come Spring Training, he may get a very long look to take one of the reserve outfield positions.

Next: The Curve is the Key

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11. Foster Griffin

The South Atlantic League is a bit of a hitter’s paradise. As such, it can be a bit difficult to judge pitchers in that league, especially given that the league ERA came in at 3.81 this year. Kansas City Royals minor leaguers struggled overall, as the Lexington Legends finished the year with a 4.76 team ERA.

So, with that lens, Foster Griffin’s 2015 campaign seems a bit more understandable. However, that does not change the fact that his time with the Legends was disappointing. In his 22 outings, spanning 102.2 innings of work, Griffin posted a 5.20 ERA and a 1.539 WHiP, striking out 71 batters against 35 walks. Yet, there were signs of hope for Griffin towards the end of the season. In his final eight starts, Griffin posted a 3.22 ERA and a 1.321 WHiP, striking out 27 batters against 11 walks in 44.2 innings.

At 20 years old, Griffin still has quite a way to develop. While scouts have raved about his fastball and change, his curve is still considered to be a work in progress. Should Griffin be able to get his curve to the point where it is a truly complimentary pitch, he could be quite the arm for the Royals in the future.

Foster Griffin’s future may well hinge on how his curve develops. Griffin is considered to have a feel for pitching, but the development of a third offering may determine if he will remain a starter in the Kansas City Royals system.

Next: The Great Balbino

Royals third base prospect Hunter Dozier during spring training 2015 (Jen Nevius).

9. Hunter Dozier

It is said that AA is the great proving ground for prospects. A player can be dominant during his time in A-ball, but it is at that next level where the true prospects separate themselves from the pack. If that is the case, then it may be time for the Kansas City Royals to be concerned about the long term prospects of Hunter Dozier.

Dozier, the 8th overall selection in the 2012 MLB Amatuer Draft, was considered to be one of the Royals top prospects heading into the season. However, he struggled mightily in his second stint at Northwest Arkansas, posting a .213/.281/.349 batting line, striking out 151 times in 475 at bats. The power that the Royals had hoped for did manifest to a degree, as Dozier hit twelve home runs and 27 doubles, but he certainly struggled to make consistent contact.

This followed a disappointing stint with the Naturals last year, which leaves Dozier with a career .212/.289/.337 batting line in 790 plate appearance at the AA level. However, Dozier’s issues are thought to be correctable, as they are believed to be created through his focus on trying to hit home runs, and ill-fated adjustments that he made with his stance and stride toward the ball.

If Hunter Dozier is able to get his swing back on track, then he could recapture his former status as a top prospect for the Kansas City Royals. Otherwise, he may be yet another minor league player who just could not handle the transition to the upper minors. Dozier’s future may be determined based on how he performs next season.

Next: A power hitting catcher

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8. Chase Vallot

Certain types of prospects are truly rare, and a power hitting catcher is one of those commodities that is difficult to find. However, that is exactly what the Kansas City Royals have in Chase Vallot, the young catcher they selected 40th overall in the 2014 MLB Amateur Draft.

Despite being the youngest regular player in both leagues he has played in, Vallot has made an impact with his ability to hit the ball for long distances. Last season, despite playing in the South Atlantic League at only 18 years old, Vallot finished tied for twelfth with 13 home runs. However, he struggled overall at the plate, producing a .219/.331/.427 batting line.

However, that production has the potential to improve. Vallot displayed a solid batting eye, drawing 41 walks in 333 plate appearances, leading to hope that he will see his batting line increase as he continues to mature as a player. Defensively, Vallot is considered to have an excellent arm, despite his 19% caught stealing rate last season.

It is going to take some time for Chase Vallot to develop for the Kansas City Royals. Yet, if he progresses as hoped, Vallot could end up being a top prospect for the Royals going forward.

Next: He is proving he belongs

The Royals won 8-3. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

7. Cheslor Cuthbert

The bloom had come off of the rose for Cheslor Cuthbert over the past few seasons. Once Cuthbert was one of the top prospects for the Kansas City Royals, but he had struggled over the past three seasons, leading some to wonder if Cuthbert would ever be the player that the Royals had envisioned.

This season, Cuthbert re-established himself as a possible piece of the future for the Royals. He produced a .277/.339/.421 batting line for the Storm Chasers, hitting eleven home runs and 22 doubles as his gap power began to emerge once again. Cuthbert’s production was solid enough where he even earned a promotion to the Royals, making his major league debut on July 7th.

While Cuthbert has not had a lot of playing time at the major league level, he has looked as though he belongs with the Royals. Even if his .233/.298/.395 batting line is not something to write home about, Cuthbert’s extra base stroke has accompanied him to the majors, as four of his ten hits heading into last night’s action were for extra bases. Defensively, Cuthbert, despite only 113 innings at third, is considered to have saved three runs.

With Mike Moustakas at third and Eric Hosmer at first, there may not be a clear path to the majors with the Kansas City Royals. However, Cheslor Cuthbert looks like the type of player that could be a solid asset in the future.

Next: Much different than his brother

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6. Jorge Bonifacio

The younger brother of utility player and speedster Emilio Bonifacio, Jorge is a much different player. Instead of being that slap hitting base stealer, this Bonifacio has displayed the potential to be a power hitter at the major league level.

Last season, in his second campaign with the Natural, Bonifacio truly tapped in to his power potential, setting a career high with 17 home runs. This power surge also coincided with a bit of an increase in Bonifacio’s strikeout rate. Last year, that increased from 22.4% in 2014 to 23.5%; not an extreme jump, but notable nonetheless.

The 2015 season was still an improvement over Bonifacio’s struggles at AA last year. Even if his .240/.305/.416 batting line is not stellar, Bonifacio still improved his OPS by 110 points over 2014. While this step forward is certainly welcome, Bonifacio is still not considered close to a finished project, as he is still thought to have some flaws in his swing, particularly as he does not seem to turn on pitches on the inner half of the plate well.

Jorge Bonifacio is an intriguing talent. If he can polish his swing, he could be a part of the future for the Kansas City Royals. Otherwise, he could end up as a player who never fully reached his potential.

Next: The fifth starter next year?

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5. Miguel Almonte

Heading into next season, the Kansas City Royals should have four spots in the rotation set. Yordano Ventura, Edinson Volquez, Kris Medlen and Danny Duffy are all likely to be a part of the rotation when the Royals begin to play games in earnest come 2016. However, that fifth spot in the rotation, depending on what happens in free agency, could be up for grabs.

If that is the case, Miguel Almonte may have the first shot at clinching that place in the rotation. He moved rapidly through the Royals system this year, starting the 2015 campaign at Northwest Arkansas before reaching the majors this year. His overall minor league numbers are certainly not impressive, as Almonte posted a 4.51 ERA and a 1.350 WHiP, but he did strike out 96 batters in 103.2 innings between the Naturals and the Storm Chasers.

Almonte has also struggled a bit in his first taste of major league action. In his 8.2 innings in Kansas City, Almonte has allowed six runs on seven hits and seven walks. He has struck out ten batters, but Almonte’s command, as well as his offerings, are a work in progress. However, if Almonte can command his fastball and refine his curve, his already devastating changeup could be a truly lethal pitch at the major league level.

Chances are, Miguel Almonte will open the 2016 campaign in the minor leagues. Although, if he does refine his pitches and improve his command, with a strong showing in Spring Training, Almonte could earn that fifth starter spot in the Kansas City Royals Opening Day rotation.

Next: What will his future role be?

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4. Ashe Russell

It is easy to look at Ashe Russell’s debut and consider it disappointing. The Kansas City Royals first selection in the first round this past year, Russell posted a 4.21 ERA and a 1.239 WHiP, striking out only 24 batters in 36.1 innings of work. This was not what most people expected from Russell as he began his professional career.

Yet, when one digs deeper into Russell’s 2015 campaign, there is a great deal to be excited about. He allowed more than one earned run in only three of his eleven outings, and allowed more than three runs only once. Over Russell’s final seven starts, he posted a 3.42 ERA, striking out 21 batters against six walks in 26.1 innings of work, holding the opposition to a .200/.255/.463 batting line.

Even with that success, there are still questions in regards to what Russell’s long term role will be with the Royals. His fastball and slider combination, combined with his low three quarters delivery, have the potential to be devastating. Yet, Russell does not have a true third pitch, having not needed one during his high school career.

The development of that third pitch, if it does happen, may hold the key to what Ashe Russell becomes for the Kansas City Royals. Maybe he can develop into a Clay Buchholz type of pitcher, as has been suggested in the past. Otherwise, he could be quite the late inning weapon in a few years.

Next: Regaining his top prospect status

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3. Bubba Starling

It was about time to write off Bubba Starling as a bust for the Kansas City Royals. The fifth overall selection in 2011, he had gone from a top prospect to a colossal disappointment, culminating with his disastrous performance last year. After producing a meagre .218/.304/.338 batting line with the Wilmington Blue Rocks, Starling cratered in the Arizona Fall League, hitting at a .177/.226/.241 clip, striking out 30 times in 84 plate appearances. So much for that top prospect status.

This season, the light bulb went on. He began the year once again at Wilmington, and crushed the ball during his time there, producing a .386/.471/.614 batting line. After twelve games, Starling earned a promotion to Northwest Arkansas, where he continued his promising arc. Although his .254/.318/.426 batting line was not as impressive, Starling still hit ten home runs and 19 doubles, while continuing to show progress in his ability to make contact.

The difference between this past season and prior years was that he made an adjustment in his swing. Instead of a more uppercut swing, Starling has worked to level the plane of his bat, resulting in more line drives and the improvement in contact rates. He is still far from being a polish prospect, but Starling appears to have begun to take his raw tools and put everything together.

Bubba Starling may have a refresher at AA at the beginning of this season, but if he continues his progression, he could well find himself in Omaha by midseason. If that happens, Starling could end up making his debut with the Kansas City Royals later in the 2016 campaign.

Next: Remember his age when looking at the numbers

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2. Adalberto Mondesi

The son of former All-Star and Rookie of the Year Raul Mondesi, this Raul Mondesi, as he prefers to be called now, has steadily risen though the Kansas City Royals system. In fact, it may be fair to wonder if Mondesi has been promoted too quickly, as he is only 19 years old and already has a full season at the AA level.

Despite being over five years younger than the average player in the Texas League, Mondesi held his own. His .243/.279/.372 batting line was not spectacular by any means, but he did steal 19 bases while hitting six home runs and five triples. Mondesi also kept his strikeout rate at approximately the same level as last season, with a 0.2% increase in strikeouts this past year.

Even with his moderate level of success in the Texas League, it may be fair to wonder if the Royals are rushing Mondesi through the system. His plate discipline is almost non-existent, as Mondesi has walked a total of 41 times in 883 plate appearances over the past two seasons, including his time in the Arizona Fall League, where he did not draw a walk in 73 plate appearances. A more patient approach would certainly help Mondesi’s numbers improve.

If the Kansas City Royals are patient with him, Raul Mondesi could have a very bright future. Otherwise, his development may be stunted, as he is pushed far too quickly through the system.

Next: Health is the only concern

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1. Kyle Zimmer

2015 was looked upon as a make or break year for Kyle Zimmer. He had plenty of talent and potential, yet the Kansas City Royals prospect just could not stay healthy, missing time each season with a myriad of injuries. When Zimmer began the 2015 season with yet another injury, it was expected that this would be yet another wasted season.

Instead, Zimmer re-established himself as one of the Royals top pitching prospects. He started the season in Lexington, where he dominated. In his 16 innings, Zimmer posted a 1.69 ERA and a 1.069 WHiP, striking out 21 batters against six walks. Promoted to Northwest Arkansas, Zimmer continued his excellent performance, putting together a 2.81 ERA and a 1.167 WHiP. In his 48 innings at AA, Zimmer struck out 51 batters against 14 walks, continuing the solid command he has displayed throughout his career.

As encouraging as Zimmer’s performance was, perhaps the best sign for his future was that he managed to start seven games. Despite typically throwing between 70 and 80 pitches per outing, Zimmer was still able take the ball every five days without his elbow or shoulder acting up. Could Zimmer truly be ready to take that next step forward, and be over his injury woes?

Kyle Zimmer was certainly impressive last season. With his performance, and the hope that his injury concerns are behind him, he is once again the Kansas City Royals top prospect.

Next: Chris Young Persevering Despite Loss