An ongoing look at players
likely to make up the 2014 roster
FEB 2nd,
2014-Continuing my look at
prospective Legends hitters for the 2014 season, I'd like to state
the obvious (yet again): there are quite a few promising hitters in
the Royals system who are due to come up from the rookie leagues.
Yes, I know that rookie-level ball is not the best measure of future
potential; it certainly doesn't hurt, however, when you compare
numbers with scouting reports, along with other factors (age,
player's size/frame, background, etc).
And
with that in mind, we soldier on:
Hitters
Bats: L Throws:
L
Ht:6'2” Wt:
225
Born: June 17th,
1994 in Ponce, Puerto Rico
School: Montverde
Academy (Kissimmee, Florida)
Drafted: by the
Kansas City Royals in the 10th round of the 2012 MLB Draft
Another rather large
teenager from the rookie leagues, Rivera has the makings of a
power-hitting corner outfielder. His numbers last year at Idaho Falls
weren't all that inspiring (8 doubles, 4 HR, 26 RBI in 57 games, .269
BA), but not all rookie-level leagues are created equal. He's
powerfully-built, has great bat speed and a sound eye at the plate,
skills which should give you a ready-made #3 or 4 hitter at the
higher levels. While he draws a fair amount of walks, he has only
gone down on strikes 66 times in 388 total pro at-bats; that's what
is the most telling stat, to me. He's also managed 18 steals in those
105 games, but he's not going to be swiping a lot of bags as he
advances. He simply isn't built for it. Another stat of interest:
.333 BA in 45 AB with 2 outs and runners in scoring position. Not a
big sample size, but something to note nevertheless.
Bats: R Throws:
R
Ht: 6'2” Wt:
200
Born: November 9th,
1990 in Sugar Land, Texas
School: University
of Texas at San Antonio
Drafted: by the
Kansas City Royals in the 9th round of the 2013 MLB Draft
Plus side: .310, 11 HR, 53
RBI in 58 games. Minus side: put up those #s as a 22 year-old in
rookie ball. Grain of salt, and all that. Still, Rockett is someone
to watch. He's athletic and pretty much gets all he can out of his
ability, although I don't see him sticking in CF as he advances up
the chain. He covers a fair amount of ground in center, but his
ability would play up in left. He's 23 now, and he'll need to move
quickly in order to keep from being passed by younger, more
highly-regarded (or highly-drafted) players, but I fully expect
strong numbers from him in his first year in full-season ball.
Considering his age and ability (quick bat, solid glove and range),
he could be heading to Wilmington in the Carolina League,
leapfrogging Lexington altogether.
Bats: L Throws:
R
Ht: 6'4” Wt:
215
Born: January 14th,
1991 in Waynesville, North Carolina
School: Tuscola HS
(Waynesville, NC); University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
(Chapel Hill, NC); Walters State Community College (Morristown, TN)
Drafted: by the
Boston Red Sox in the 29th round of the 2009 MLB June Amateur Draft
from Tuscola HS (Waynesville, NC), the Washington Nationals in the
14th round of the 2011 MLB June Amateur Draft from Walters State
Community College (Morristown, TN) and the Kansas City Royals in the
8th round of the 2013 MLB June Amateur Draft from University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, NC).
Drafted three different
times from 2009 to 2013, Stubbs certainly had his share of suitors.
Each time he was drafted, it was earlier on than before (29th
round, 14th round, 8th round, respectively),
and after his first year in the pros one can understand why. With
good size a slight bit of projectability left, as well as developing
lefty power and a strong arm for the position, Stubbs might soon find
himself bypassing more experienced players already in the Royals
system.
In 64 games at Idaho Falls
last year, Stubbs batted .284 with 6 homers, 43 RBI, 13 doubles and
even 7 triples. Those triples were more a product of power than
speed, though he runs the bases well. He did strike out 61 times in
264 AB, so that's something which could work against him as he
advances, and at 6'4” it will probably take a little time and work
to cut down on those Ks. At 23, he's another player who'll have to
move quickly if he's going to keep from being passed on the
organizational ladder. Stubbs has the tools to do just that.
Bats: R Throws:
R
Ht: 6'1” Wt:
205
Born: June 29th,
1992 in Livingston, NJ
School: St John's
University (Queens, NY)
Drafted: by the
Kansas City Royals in the 18th round of the 2013 MLB Draft
Schwindel is solid at both
catcher and first base, but his future (at the moment) appears to be
at catcher. His arm rates plus as a first baseman, if he ends up
there, and I could definitely see him as a plus defender at the first
sack. He had 8 passed balls in 2013 with three errors, which are
certainly indications that he needs work behind the dish. However, he
threw out 39% of basestealers as well, so that's also a promising
sign. Schwindel popped 6 homers and 14 doubles in 64 games at Idaho
Falls, batting an even .300. While he only struck out 24 times (260
AB), he drew a pathetic 9 walks. One would think that most batters
could draw nine free passes accidentally. Drawing walks is something
that I watch closely, so nine doesn't cut it. Schwindel should head
to Lexington for 2014, and his work behind the plate will interest me
more than his work in the batter's box.
Bats: R Throws:
R
Ht: 6'1” Wt:
190
Born: August 11th,
1992 in Frankfort, Germany
School: Salt Lake
Community College (Salt Lake City, UT); University of
California-Irvine (Irvine, CA)
Drafted: by the
Houston Astros in the 33rd round of the 2011 MLB Draft
from Salt Lake CC; by the Kansas City Royals in the 15th
round of the 2013 MLB Draft from UC-Irvine
Taylor might just be one
of the late-round steals of last year's draft. At age 20, Taylor
batted .322 with 8 homers, 37 RBI, 14 doubles, 50 runs scored and 13
steals in 62 games, impressive numbers even taking into account the
offensively-inclined Pioneer League. Add to that only 29 strikeouts
in 233 AB, and you can see that he had very little trouble adjusting
at the plate to pro ball. I see him as an 'under-the-radar' type of
player, though he likely won't go unnoticed by the pro and/or advance
scouts for very long. Assuming they make a stop in the Sally League,
I see Taylor and Zane Evans being Ethan Chapman-type guys for
Lexington: great energy, good clubhouse presence, spark plugs in the
batting order, always 100% in the field, fan favorites.
More to come, including more hitters on their way up, as well as pitching prospects who could take the mound at The Bank.
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