KC Royals: Baseball America Ranks Ten Best Royals Prospects

The KC Royals used to be well known for having one of the best farm systems in all of Major League Baseball. Now, after several trades (many of which led to a World Series title), the team doesn’t have as much talent in the minors. Baseball America recently ranked the ten best though.

Heading into 2017, the Kansas City Royals are prepared for one last “hoorah” with their current core of players. These are the guys who came up through the farm system together and have basically been brothers for several years now.

Once the 2017 season is over, a lot of Royals will hit free agency and it’s highly unlikely that Kansas City can retain them all. In fact, it’s probably impossible.

With that said, it’ll be time for the “Circle of Life” to repeat itself yet again and allow the guys in the minors to do their jobs and eventually make it to the majors and help this team win a championship.

So, who are the guys that are considered to be “the best” in the Royals minor leagues right now? Here’s who J.J. Cooper of Baseball America recently said,

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Josh Staumont (Right-Handed Pitcher)
Matt Strahm (Left-Handed Pitcher)
Hunter Dozier (3rd Base/Outfield)
Eric Skoglund (Left-Handed Pitcher)
A.J. Puckett (Right-Handed Pitcher)
Scott Blewett (Right-Handed Pitcher)
Chase Vallot (Catcher)
Ryan O’Hearn (1st Base)
Jorge Bonifacio (Outfield)
Kyle Zimmer (Right-Handed Pitcher)

Obviously the ones that Kansas City Royals fans recognize right off the bat are Matt Strahm, Hunter Dozier, and Kyle Zimmer. Strahm spent some time in the majors this past season and blew everyone away with how good he was for his age. He’s definitely ready to be a regular contributor for this team.

Dozier’s call-up in September was long overdue. With Mike Moustakas out for most of the season, the Royals probably could have given Dozier a chance, but they let Cheslor Cuthbert prove himself instead.

Now with Moose coming back in 2017, Cuthbert will be auditioning for second base and Dozier will likely be in the minors to start the year, once again, unless some type of trade occurs.

Zimmer was the team’s first round pick in 2012 and could certainly have a bright future. Injuries have killed his career to this point though, and he’s still yet to make it through a season unscathed.

Someone not on the list is outfielder Bubba Starling, who the KC Royals took in the first round in 2011. Starling was 18 at the time and has struggled to hit the ball during his time in the minors. He could be a nice defensive player due to his athleticism, but the kid just doesn’t appear to be panning out for the organization.

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As for the rest of the guys on the list, Staumont could eventually be a starter in the rotation, at least according to the Baseball America article.

"Staumont’s ceiling is that of a front-end starter if he can improve his control with a fallback option of serving as an impact reliever."

Staumont is likely the only other guy on this list who we could see in a starting role this season, though I think if he’s promoted, he’d likely be a reliever. That tends to be the route that teams take with young pitchers and for good reason.

While the KC Royals traded away key future talents for rentals during the 2015 season, there’s still hope for the future in the farm system. We just have to be patient. It worked before after all.

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