Future #3: The Kansas City Royals

Why they're ranked third:

My biggest challenge with ranking Kansas was deciding how good their farm system is. As you look down the list or players below you'll notice only four have major league experience; that too was a problem. Kansas City has the best farm system right now, no doubt, but the question is how good is it? Because, it is incredibly dangerous to put too much stock in an entire team of prospects. However, as I did research into these players I learned that everyone loves them. Stat-heads, scouts, writers, bloggers, everyone is incredibly impressed with their tools and ceilings. That is why I couldn't hold back from ranking Kansas City third; that ceiling is just too good to deny.

TEAM: Kansas City Royals

LEAGUE: American League
DIVISION: Central

Top Pitching Prospect: Mike Montgomery

Top Hitting Prospect: Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer

Marquee Player: Mike Moustakas

Future Lineup

Moustakas and...

Lineup Number. Name: Position, Bats- Best Tools

1. Lorenzo Cain: Centerfield, RH- Defense/Speed/Contact

2. Alcides Escobar: 2^nd Base, RH- Defense/Speed

3. Mike Moustakas: 3^rd Base, LH- Power/Contact

4. Christian Colon: Shortstop, RH- 5-tools

5. Eric Hosmer: 1^st Base, LH- 5-tools

Hosmer, the cornerstones at the corners

6. Wil Myers: Rightfield, RH- Power/Patience

7. Billy Butler: DH, RH- Power/Contact/Patience

8. Jarrod Dyson: Leftfield, LH- Speed/Defense

9. Salvador Perez: Catcher, RH- Contact

Future Rotation

Name, Throws

1. Mike Montgomery, LHP

2. John Lamb, LHP

3. Aaron Crow, RHP

4. Jake Odorizzi, RHP

5. Danny Duffy, LHP

Closer: Joakim Soria

Overall Evaluation

Areas of Improvement:

They’re going to require a lot of experience. The Royals system is deep in talent, but some of it is lower down, and those who aren’t still need some Major League seasoning. They have the best young core, and farm amongst all teams, but it’ll take three-four seasons before it all comes together. It can also be dangerous to put too much stock in unproven talent, despite their ceilings and minor league numbers.

Outfield:

Incredibly strong in the speed and defense department. Lorenzo Cain was a huge part of the Greinke trade, and his defense and bat is a huge upgrade for Kansas. Jarrod Dyson has a ways to go, but at the least he covers a lot of ground.

Infield:

Mike Moustakas is absolutely ridiculous with a piece of timber and he’s the next great player at the hot corner. 2010 1^st rounder Christian Colon is a 5-tool player with lots of potential. Eric Hosmer is another big talent with all 5-tools, which you don’t usually hear about at 1^st base.

Rotation: 

Mike Montgomery, the future ace

None of the five listed above have big league experience, and it’s dangerous to place hope in young arms. However, what they possess in risk, they make up for in possible reward. Montgomery, Lamb, and Crow all profile as aces. They also have three big lefties, which is almost unheard of in a rotation.

Intangibles:

The lineup is ridiculous. Not only is there an incredible blend of speed and power, there’s also a lot of players with great fundamentals and defense. Despite their misgivings the Royals have seen some great development out of their program the last couple of seasons.

Youth can be dangerous, but so far scouts are wild about these kids. There are high ceilings, great builds/frames, and it runs deep. In what seems like overnight Kansas City has built one of the most talented farm systems in all of baseball.

The nice thing about having so much youth is that it doesn’t cost a lot. The Royals will have a lot of payroll flexibility. But, they need to start thinking about locking up their young players. They had success doing so with Butler, Greinke, and Soria, which bodes well for the up-and-comers.