These Royals Don’t Stink!
Back in November I discussed bargain shopping in Houston and how there are still a few hidden gems that would make for strong selections at the tail end of your draft. Well, today, we’re going to look at another perennial cellar-dwelling team and see what kind of fantasy gold can be found. Funny thing, though, is that these Royals — these, more often than not, punching bags of the AL — are looking pretty darn good lately and there’s going to be quite the battle to obtain a number of their players’ services in fantasy drafts this year.
Now obviously, there are key names like Eric Hosmer, Billy Butler, Alex Gordon, Joakim Soria and even Mike Moustakas who will be strongly coveted in drafts this year. But, for the first time in what seems like forever to my colleague Jeff Zimmerman (known Royals addict), the Royals are actually loaded up with fantasy help beyond a small handful of players. Here’s a look at some decent late round options you might have before you come draft day.
Johnny Giavotella, 2B — While technically he is competing with Chris Getz and…hold your laughter until the end…Yuniesky Betancourt for the starting gig, most agree that the job is basically his to lose. Manager Ned Yost is a big fan and so long as he [Giavotella] continues to hustle and out-perform those two tomato cans, then he should get the nod and hit out of the 2-hole this season. He doesn’t have a whole lot of pop in his bat but he’s displayed strong on-base skills in the minors, good plate discipline and the potential for double-digit steals back in the minors. Think of him as a poor man’s Dustin Ackley and grab him late to fill any middle infield holes you may have.
Lorenzo Cain, OF — For those that don’t remember, Cain was a key piece that came back to K.C. in the Zack Greinke trade. At 26 years old, he’s been around for some time now, but had been unable to crack the Brewers Opening Day lineup, mostly due to his somewhat disturbing minor league K-rate. His walk rate helped his OBP numbers, but when you’re striking out 23% of the time in Double-A, there needs to be a change before advancement is a possibility. Fortunately, he’s made the adjustments and kept his K% under 19% for the last two seasons. If he beats out Mitch Maier and Jarrod Dyson for the starting center field job, which he should, then he could be a great late round flier in AL-only leagues and as a good plug and play candidate in deeper mixed leagues. He should have a decent average, double digit steals, and maybe even good runs scored if he can graduate form the 8-hole in the order.
Salvador Perez, C — The Royals love this guy so much that they just handed him a 5 year, $26.75M contract. If you can disregard some power at the position and need a boost in batting average, he’s going to be a great option. Think of him as a younger version of Yadier Molina. For a little more detail, check out this post I wrote on him back in December.
Luis Mendoza, SP — Talk about not even on the radar…Mendoza doesn’t even show up on a 525 player deep ADP report. Here’s a guy who bounced around a few organizations and looked pretty terrible, but not only landed in Kansas City, but thrived for the first time in his professional career. While in Triple-A Omaha, Mendoza spent a substantial amount of time with pitching coach Doug Henry who completely revamped his mechanics. The results were incredibly positive as Mendoza went on the be the best pitcher in the hitter-friendly PCL last year, posting an ERA of 2.18 in 144.1 innings. Even better is that according to Pitch F/x data, he went up roughly 3-4 mph on his fastball. The K-rate is pretty low which is usually unappealing in fantasy, but if he continues to lower the walk rate and can keep the ball in the yard, then he just might be worth a last round look. Of course, he’s still competing for one of the two open spots in the Royals rotation, so keep him on your radar this spring.
Happy to say that Mendoza was on my radar as a sleeper. I grabed him late in my draft and i’m even more happy to see him on this list.
He’s not getting a job in the rotation.
The Royals have announced that Hochevar, Sanchez and Chen are locks in the rotation. Almost everyone around the Royals believes Paulino is lock as well given his performance last year, he is out of options and he has been awful in the bullpen in his career. So, really that leaves one open rotation spot for Duffy, Crow, Mendoza and Montgomery. You have to believe that Duffy has the inside track as Montgomery will likely open in Omaha to prove last year was just growing pains. I think Crow opens in the bullpen. Mendoza is out of options, so some believe that Duffy could open in Omaha and Mendoza could get the look…but i think it is possible Mendoza opens the year in the pen.
Nothing on Luke Hochevar? I like him to take a big step forward. He should reach 200 innings and continue to keep hitters off balance with that cutter. 15 wins and an ERA around 4.00 wouldn’t be out the question.
He’s a little more well known than the other guys and I only have so much space to write…
Can’t really say I’m a huge fan though.
I only have so much space to write…
How so? Or do you mean, “…only have so much time and inclination…”
Plenty of inclination, maybe not so much time. I could go on for pages about different Royals that I like this year and all the reasons involved but then how much time do you have to sit and read a 5,000 word essay? The 500-600 word format seems like it works well enough for everyone…
Perez deal was 5 years 7 million….much different than 26.75 million.
The three club options in years 6-7-8 take it up to $26.75 million.
Then it’s either a 5-year, $7 million deal or an 8-year, $26.75 million deal, but not a 5-year, $26.75 million deal.
byron said exactly what I was saying…..only portion they have to pay is 7 million.
The contract includes five guaranteed years through the 2016 season, then club options for each of the following three seasons: 2017, 2018 and 2019. If the options are picked up, then it takes it up to a total of $26.75M. $7M in guaranteed money.
I agree with some posters above that it really needs to be reported as 5 years 7 million with option years or 8 years ~27 million. I prefer number 1 unless you have ability to look into the future and see clearly an uninjured and productive Perez who is clearly going to have each option picked up.
what about alcides escobar? if he ever improves his O-swing%, i feel like we’ll see a babip (and therefore, an overall line) commensurate with his speed.
as it is, using the xBABIP spreadsheet procedure, his expected babip was .329 (!) last year, almost a 40 point gap from reality.
I’m a big fan of Escobar’s as well, but he definitely needs to work on his plate discipline. The thing that makes me nervous is that it was reported a few days ago that Yost was going to start lifting him for pinch hitters late in games due to his ineffectiveness as the plate with runners in scoring position.
I would add Jake Odorizzi as my favorite Sp prospect flier (aside from Moore) in the AL. His production crushes Montgomery’s, the only real issue is ample replacements in KC and an unclear route to the majors as a result. That is really only applicable in AL only leagues but still worth considering.
“Think of him as a poor man’s Dustin Ackley and grab him late to fill any middle infield holes you may have.”
Johnny Giavotella has a better minor league track record and is in a more formidable lineup. Ackley might be better long-term, but Giavitella has upside as well.
“These Royals Can’t Take A Walk!” would have been a more apt title.
Great Article HoJo
Pick 2:
Cashner, Holland, Perkins or Parnell?
20 team mixed league with 32 categories…you name it, we play with it!
I selected Parnell and Holland bc Cashner will head to rotation later in year and Minn will be down-right terrible, so I’m going on opportunity rather than skills, but doesn’t Parnell and Holland trump the other 2? Cashner the “Sale” of ’13? NL only keeper target around the world!