- Tier 1 (4 points): Major League Star -- Number One Starter
- Tier 2 (3 points): Stand Out/Above Average Regular -- Number Two/Exceptional Three Starter
- Tier 3 (2 points): Solid, Average, Every Day Regular -- Number Three/Solid Four Starter
- Tier 4 (1 point): Bench/Below Average Regular -- Borderline Four/Number Five Starter/Relief Pitcher
Possibly one of the more underrated systems in baseball, Kansas City's farm still consists of top tier and semi-impact talent. Despite a combination of injuries and promotions setting the organization back a bit prospect-wise, the Royals quietly possess one of the game's best systems. The Royals have at last found themselves to be a legitimate contender in a weak American League Central and this is largely due to their strong foundation of impact level prospects that have made their way through the system over the past couple of seasons. The Hosmer, Moustakas and Duffy group is already up and now, Royals are expecting to see the likes of Mike Montgomery and Wil Myers make their way to Kansas City.
With a previously strong focus on international prospects and the draft, the Royals' system has continued to not only grow, but to display talent in each of their affiliates. Additionally, like the aforementioned trio of Hosmer, Moustakas and Duffy, the Royals impact is spread thoroughly throughout the system, potentially creating a yearly wave of new four and five-star prospects heading to Kansas City. It's not clear how the new CBA rules will affect the Royals outlook on evaluation, amateur spending and player development, but it's clear that they currently boast a strong foundation that will last the organization many years of impact talent embedded within the system.
Royals -- 28 points
Tier 1
Wil Myers
Bubba Starling
Tier 2
Mike Montgomey
Cheslor Cuthbert
Jake Odorizzi
Tier 3
Yordano Ventura
Elier Hernandez
Brian Brickhouse
Jason Adam
Tier 4
Jorge Bonifacio
John Lamb
Chris Dwyer
0 recs | 12 comments
Kelvin Herrera left off
Should be a setup man this year, possible closer.
Lamb should be higher, but coming of TJ, I can understand being conservative.
This system is deep at the lower levels.
David Howards Legacy - January 18, 2012
If your basically just listing the top 12 KC players, then I'm ok with your list. But...
If your qualifications for “Tier 4” are:
Bench/Below Average Regular — Borderline Four/Number Five Starter/Relief Pitcher
Than, Christian Colon, Brent Eibner, Yordano Ventura and Cliff Robinson MUST be included (in addition to DHL mentioning the obvious omission in Herrera), and I would even throw in:
Noel Arguellas, Will Smith, Kevin Chapman, David Lough, Cam Gallager and Kevin Smith.
Regardless, I appreciate you bringing attention to KC’s farm in your post. It’s still pretty awesome.
Bronzillo - January 18, 2012
Also,
Everett Teaford is still a prospect and has arguably already justified “Tier 4” status.
44 ip, 3.27 era, 3.95 xFIP mostly out of the pen, but did get 3 late season starts (16 ip, 13K, 3.38 era)
Bronzillo - January 18, 2012
From the title
MjwW - January 18, 2012
Ok, but just because there are 4 tiers doesn't mean you have to use them all
Lamb seems especially egregious.
It’s TJ surgery, its not like his elbow exploded.
I think the general consensus was that Lamb was a likely number 2 possibly number 1 before the surgery. and TJ surgery doesn’t have much of an impact on a players performance.
RoyalPug - January 18, 2012
Who is Brent Eibner and Cliff Robinson?
And they don’t have to be included. This is a list of the top 12 according to him, or according to BtB. If your opinions differ, then okay, but rephrase it.
hawkinscm87 - January 19, 2012
Don't for get about Kevin, I mean Kyle, Smith
There has been a TON of talent drafted the last couple of years. But they are so far away that, it is hard to find their “ceiling”. The Royals farm system is deep, but they don’t have as many of the top tier players as they did last offseason. Either b/c of promotions or down seasons. Lamb, Myers, and Eibner will get back to full speed this season, and this farm system will again be the “Best Farm System EVER”.
royal_in_cincinnati - January 19, 2012
Hmm
I feel sad that I barely recognize any of the Tier 3s and know more about the Tier 4s
sterlingice - January 18, 2012
Most of the tier 3's are really low level guys
Brickhouse and Adams are from the last draft, Elier was just signed this offseason as an IFA and while Ventura has been in the system for a few years, he hasn’t played above A ball.
That said, the Royals have a LOT of interesting arms at A and A+.
RoyalPug - January 18, 2012
I believe
Adam (without ‘s’) was drafted in 2010.
hawkinscm87 - January 19, 2012
"Best Farm System Ever" = underrated
interesting
Matt Klaassen - January 18, 2012
Oh my gawd.
The horse is mushy from being beaten.
hawkinscm87 - January 19, 2012
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