Prospects Watch
Billy Mumaugh, who had to repeat AA ball, had a fantastic first half of the season, putting up over 6 WAR at AAA to earn his promotion, after hitting the June AAA Hitter of the Month Award.
Tim Storer wasn’t quite as effective but 3.6 WAR in just over half a season sees him make the same leap.
J.J Pangia is knocking on the door and has been joined at AAA by
Danny Petty who has managed to stay healthy and put up over 5 WAR at AA level.
Mike Hoffer has been promoted with him after winning three Pitcher of the Month Awards in a row at AA. With
William Schmidt already in AAA, it is a pitcher laden prospect team which will likely see at least one of them promoted before the season is over. On the hitting side, trade acquisition
Luis Gotay put up 7.4 WAR at AA so moves to Omaha to finish up the season.
Further down,
Curt Bogan took A+ batters for 3.1 WAR, and won the April High-A Pitcher of the Month Award, to gain his promotion, alongside
Eddie Baquerizo, who was slightly less effective but still too strong for A+.
Juan Zubia and
Enny Mijhail Van Dyke are making solid progress after multiple seasons in Rookie ball and they are joined in promotion by
Ian Gordon, all three moving up from A to High-A ball.
2027 Draft
The Royals had the 32nd pick in the 2031 draft, a draft lacking in top end, developed college players that would fall to the Royals. The Royals decided it was worth having a year away from their standard approach and selected high school, 18-year-end
Marquis Foggie {profile} with their first round pick. More likely to stick at 3B than SS, Foggie projects to have plus contact and plus-plus power and gap power.
- Round 2, Pick 36 - Kansas City Royals: SP Chris Arington, age 18 out of high school – a 6-pitch starter with a potential 80-50-55 profile, his slider, curveball and change up all have the potential to be plus-plus.
- Round 3, Pick 23 - Kansas City Royals: 3B Toby Demkowski, age 21 out of college – a 70 arm, paired with potential plus power with above average contact and eye and a good 40-contact, 40-power base to work from.
- Round 4, Pick 27 - Kansas City Royals: SP Chris Norvell, age 21 out of college – a potential 65-50-55 profile with a plus-plus slider and curveball as part of a 4-pitch arsenal. 40s across the board are a good base for Norvell.
- Round 5, Pick 28 - Kansas City Royals: SP Mike Dryer, age 18 out of high school – only three pitches (but all strong with a plus-plus slider, fastball, plus changeup) but a 70-50-50 potential profile if he develops.
Demkowski and Norvell will start in A ball, along with 7th round pick SS
Eric Baldwin, and 12th, 13th, and 14th round Relievers
Josh Bear,
Luis Rosas, and
Jeremy Daley. The rest of the class will begin in Rookie ball.
Zach Masteller was the prize in this draft class, the Mets securing what will likely be their starting SS for a decade! The first five picks of the draft were:
- Round 1, Pick 1 - New York Mets: SS Zach Masteller, age 22 out of college
- Round 1, Pick 2 - San Antonio Avalanche: SS R.J. Frank, age 18 out of high school
- Round 1, Pick 3 - Pittsburgh Pirates: SP Josh Dering, age 17 out of high school
- Round 1, Pick 4 - Toronto Blue Jays: CF Mike Isham, age 21 out of college
- Round 1, Pick 5 - Los Angeles Dodgers: 3B Dan Crowell, age 21 out of college
