I was watching mlb.tv's top 50 prospects last night and as expected, Zimmer and Bubba were the Royals two offerings.  There are always players that break out and go from so-so prospect to legit prospect every year (and many fall as well).  

If you had to predict, who would be your hitter and pitcher from the Royals system most likely to be on a top 50 list next year?  As a bonus, who is the most likely promising prospect to be shown as a bust this year?

Don't ******* tell me what to do.

Oh sorry. Christian Binford could really jump up the rankings.

dallasroyalsfan wrote: I was watching mlb.tv's top 50 prospects last night and as expected, Zimmer and Bubba were the Royals two offerings.  There are always players that break out and go from so-so prospect to legit prospect every year (and many fall as well).  

If you had to predict, who would be your hitter and pitcher from the Royals system most likely to be on a top 50 list next year?  As a bonus, who is the most likely promising prospect to be shown as a bust this year?

Hitter most likely to hit the top 50 lists next year is Adalberto Mondesi. I think that he could take a huge leap forward this year.

Pitcher most likely to hit the top 50 lists, especially if you're looking for a "comes from out of nowhere" guy, is Miguel Almonte. 

Guy most likely to bust for my money is Paul Orlando Carlixte.  Our shortstop depth will peter out at some point. I think this is the year it starts to do so, with one guy (Mondesi) clearly differerentiating himself from the rest of the pack at the position.

BTW, Jason Parks on twitter said the other day that Mondesi is the most likely to pull a Jurickson Profar.

Ventura and Bonifacio

Hitter - Elier Hernandez

Pitcher - Angel Baez or Sam Selman

Flame-out - Does Colon still count?

MrMorden wrote: Hitter - Elier Hernandez

Pitcher - Angel Baez or Sam Selman

Flame-out - Does Colon still count?

That's funny.  NO.  At this point, if he's a better than average 2nd baseman in the bigs, I'm happy.  That's not that high of a bar...so flaming out would not seem like a bust.  IMO, he was a bust from day one as a franchise SS

mpf8888 wrote: Ventura and Bonifacio

My mind says this.  Ventura and Bonifacio seem most likely to me.  I'm not sure that everyone buys this, but there are some scouts that talk as if Bonifacio is as much the reason for the Myers/Shields trade as anyone.  If we weren't SURE that Jorge was going to make a leap this coming year, trading Myers would have been more difficult.  I think GMDM thinks Jorge is going to make some jumps this year.

My heart wants Mondesi to be everything that guys are saying/hoping he'll be...but I think it will be 2015 before he enters the top 50 lists.  I would also like John Lamb to emerge as a top 10 prospect next year...but it's not real likely to happen.

MrMorden wrote: Hitter - Elier Hernandez

Pitcher - Angel Baez or Sam Selman

Flame-out - Does Colon still count?

A flaming Colon sounds painful.

I was talking about this with some Cardinals friends (yes, I know, shocking that I have them) on another board.

I think KC actually has a LOT of guys who could make big jumps during the 2013 season (which is why I would argue that KC could be back in contention for top system in baseball this time next year - very few defections and a lot of young, high-upside talent).

I would say the hitter MOST likely to be on a top 50 list is still Bubba Starling. Even if his hitting just holds steady, he will stay in the top 50 because of his unbelievable physical tools.

Most likely new guy, IMO, is Aldaberto Mondesi. Not an original thought, but I think he explodes onto prospect lists after this season.

I think Ventura's size will keep him from climbing into the top 50, but I could see John Lamb jumping back in. If he's healthy and recovered, his performance should sparkle and he's still just 22.

Hitter: Mondesi... I think he could eventually be a top-ten in all of baseball kind of prospect

Pitcher: Selman... if he has really gotten his control managed as the numbers from last year show his stuff projects into an upper tier starter. The kind of arm that prospect projections eat up.

Disappointment: Cuthbert.. his numbers were disappointing last year but was given a pass because of being in a pitchers league and being young for the competition but could be a sign he is truly over matched (I hope not)

Starling and Zimmer are on the top 50 list. Ventura probably had an argument

Out of our prospects not on the list that could make it

Lamb(if he returns healthy hes easily one of the best pitching prospects in the game)
Bonifcio
Mondesi
2013 1st round draft pick

hawkinmichigan wrote:
Hitter most likely to hit the top 50 lists next year is Adalberto Mondesi. I think that he could take a huge leap forward this year.

Pitcher most likely to hit the top 50 lists, especially if you're looking for a "comes from out of nowhere" guy, is Miguel Almonte. 

Guy most likely to bust for my money is Paul Orlando Carlixte.  Our shortstop depth will peter out at some point. I think this is the year it starts to do so, with one guy (Mondesi) clearly differerentiating himself from the rest of the pack at the position.

Agree with all of this. I got a good look at Calixte when he was with Kane County, and I haven't been high on him since. I'll also throw Bubba in the mix for biggest disappointment, but that's really just based on my gut. I just have a feeling this is the year his lack of quality amateur experience catches up with him.

Call me crazy, but I don't know if Ventura will be considered a prospect at all after this year, but not because of busting.

From what I've read, it seems like the organization really expects him to see time in the bigs this year, and they still see him as a starter. I wouldn't be surprised if Ventura makes more starts this year than Duffy. I'm probably in the minority on this, but just something I've been thinking about.

As for break out guys, I'll echo the Mondesi and Selman picks.

I give Mayo about as much credibility as people should give Sickels. It's fun to see the lists, but his opinion means very little to me.

RockChalkOmaHawk wrote: Call me crazy, but I don't know if Ventura will be considered a prospect at all after this year, but not because of busting.

From what I've read, it seems like the organization really expects him to see time in the bigs this year, and they still see him as a starter. I wouldn't be surprised if Ventura makes more starts this year than Duffy. I'm probably in the minority on this, but just something I've been thinking about.

As for break out guys, I'll echo the Mondesi and Selman picks.

I agree on Ventura. he could probably pitch in the bullpen today...I think he goes to AA or AAA and if he dominates there they will have a quick trigger on bringing him up. especally if someone gets off to a slow start

Count me as a huge Selman believer. He needs to move quick though...already almost a year older than Zimmer.
I actually think Calixte could get better...and hit Omaha before end of the season.

Scouts have had some good things to say about Jason Adam as well...if he does in AA what he did in A ball I think he could be close to top 60-70.

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--- RoyalsCorner wrote:

hawkinmichigan wrote:
Hitter most likely to hit the top 50 lists next year is Adalberto Mondesi. I think that he could take a huge leap forward this year.

Pitcher most likely to hit the top 50 lists, especially if you're looking for a "comes from out of nowhere" guy, is Miguel Almonte. 

Guy most likely to bust for my money is Paul Orlando Carlixte.  Our shortstop depth will peter out at some point. I think this is the year it starts to do so, with one guy (Mondesi) clearly differerentiating himself from the rest of the pack at the position.

Agree with all of this. I got a good look at Calixte when he was with Kane County, and I haven't been high on him since. I'll also throw Bubba in the mix for biggest disappointment, but that's really just based on my gut. I just have a feeling this is the year his lack of quality amateur experience catches up with him.

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Starling's ridiculously high K rate has me worried, so I'm on board. I don't see that changing.

GeorgeBrettsPineTar wrote: Count me as a huge Selman believer. He needs to move quick though...already almost a year older than Zimmer.
I actually think Calixte could get better...and hit Omaha before end of the season.

Scouts have had some good things to say about Jason Adam as well...if he does in AA what he did in A ball I think he could be close to top 60-70.

Count me as on board that train as well.  He's not OUR future - that's Mondesi.  But I'm really hoping for a good year from Calixte because I want him to be a good trade chip.

I echo what you're saying about Selman.  Would LOVE to see him jump a few levels this season.