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Kansas City Royals: FanGraphs Ranks Top 20 Prospects

By Leigh Oleszczak

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Matt Strahm (64) - Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Matt Strahm (64) - Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Kansas City Royals farm system hasn’t been nearly as good as it was in seasons past due to having to make trades, but there are still some good prospects. FanGraphs recently put out their top 20 list of Royals prospects.

It wasn’t too long ago when the Kansas City Royals had the best minor league system in all of Major League Baseball. Winning and contending for a World Series title has a way of changing that though, as the Royals had to sacrifice some of their best prospects for a shot at glory.

Heading into the 2017 season, Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs released his list on who the 20 best young prospects were in the Royals farm system.

Here is his list:

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    1. Matt Strahm
    2. Hunter Dozier
    3. Josh Staumont
    4. Ryan O’Hearn
    5. Scott Blewett
    6. A.J. Puckett
    7. Khalil Lee
    8. Eric Skoglund
    9. Meibrys Viloria
    10. Jorge Bonifacio
    11. Seuly Matias
    12. Nolan Watson
    13. Jake Junis
    14. Kyle Zimmer
    15. Samir Duenez
    16. Chase Vallot
    17. Miguel Almonte
    18. Garrett Davila
    19. Jeison Guzman
    20. Nicky Lopez

    To the surprise of no one, Matt Strahm ranks first out of the Royals minor league system. Strahm spent time in the majors last season, but was limited due to his past surgeries. He became a sensation out of the bullpen, tossing 22 innings and allowing four runs in that stretch.

    Strahm’s sparking 1.23 ERA was a great sight for the KC Royals organization. Having Strahm present in Kansas City is huge for this team, as their bullpen is weaker with the Wade Davis trade, and the youngster has a chance at contending for a spot in the starting rotation.

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    The only other guys on this list to have made it to the MLB level are Hunter Dozier and Miguel Almonte. Dozier made his MLB debut this past season and only batted .211, but hasn’t had many opportunities to prove himself at the Major League level.

    Having Mike Moustakas and Cheslor Cuthbert both at third base definitely hurts Dozier’s chances of ever becoming “the guy” at third for the Royals.

    As for Almonte, he didn’t see any action with the Royals this season due to his struggles in the minor leagues. His ERA with the Storm Chasers was a brutal 5.55 ERA in 12 starts and in 60 innings. Almonte didn’t progress in 2016 and that’s concerning to say the least.

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    The other notable name on Longenhagen’s list is Kyle Zimmer. Everyone in Kansas City knows who Kyle Zimmer is, as he was a first round pick by this team in 2012. Zimmer’s problem isn’t his potential, but the fact that he can’t stay healthy. He’s yet to make it to the Major League level and fans are beginning to question if he ever will.

    The rest of these guys are pretty young, with the oldest being Eric Skoglund and Jake Junis. Both of those players are 24 years old and are both pitchers. If those guys are ready for the majors, then the KC Royals would no doubt welcome them with open arms.

    At this exact moment, however, the Royals have their top two prospects ready for action in the majors. Now they just have to find a role for both of them.

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