International Amateurs
We just completed our monthly private practice with many young international amateur free agents who we hope can aid our club in the coming years. It was great to meet the players in-person and get to know them better, and I was able to improve my scouting assessment on all invitees.
In fact some of the players impressed me, since they showcased a higher potential than I had previously expected from them:
Jorge Asebedo, 16 year-old CF out of Mexico
Lean and athletic, Jorge Asebedo hails from Rνo Bravo, Mexico. He is a dynamic talent with massive raw power potential. He has above average contact skills, a smooth swing with quick hands and good pitch recognition. He should have decent judgement of the strike zone. Asebedo has a high ceiling and projects well on the field and at the plate.
David Mancero, 16 year-old C out of Dominican Republic
Lean and athletic, David Mancero hails from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Once he fully develops he should have enough power to be a home run threat at the plate. He always provides his team with good, consistent defense. He should demonstrate good plate discipline. Mancero looks like a potential regular in a key role at the big league level.
It was a great practice and none of the invitees disappointed in showcasing their talent.
And other players that I was able to further assess were:
Daniel Guerra, 16 year-old 2B out of Dominican Republic
Luis Quintanilla, 16 year-old 3B out of Netherlands Antilles
Edgar Quintero, 17 year-old SS out of Dominican Republic
Nelson Covarrubias, 16 year-old SS out of Dominican Republic
Juan Landeros, 16 year-old RF out of Dominican Republic
Jorge Soriano, 16 year-old CF out of Panama
Aroghetto Badoglio, 17 year-old RF out of Italy
Juan Mendoza, 18 year-old 2B out of Dominican Republic
Development Lab
Mike Connelly has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at left field.
Gilberto Matos has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at second base.
Bob Crimi has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at center field.
Sam Hart has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at catcher.
No noticeable changes.
Chris Slate has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his defense at left field.
Outfield arm rating improves by <5
Outfield range rating improves by <5
Outfield error rating improves by <5
Edgar Mir has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his defense at second base.
Infield arm rating improves by 5
Infield range rating improves by <5
Infield error rating improves by <5
Turn doubleplay rating improves by <5
Chase Standberry has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his defense at center field.
Outfield arm rating improves by 5
Outfield range rating improves by 5
Outfield error rating improves by <5
Jamie Edwards has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his defense at center field.
Outfield arm rating improves by <5
Outfield range rating improves by 5
Outfield error rating improves by <5
Rule 5 Draft Trades & 42-man Changes
Friday, December 7th , 2040
Placed RP Tug Adams on the secondary (42-man) roster.
Placed RP Jimmy Cappello on the secondary (42-man) roster.
Placed C Steve Mazzanti on the secondary (42-man) roster.
Placed RP Mike McDaniel on the secondary (42-man) roster.
Placed 2B Andres Raygoza on the secondary (42-man) roster.
Traded 21-year old minor league RHP David Padilla to the St. Louis Cardinals, getting 23-year old minor league RHP Ernesto Soriano and $5,000,000 in cash in return.
Traded 27-year old minor league 3B Jon Basiliere to the New York Yankees, getting 25-year old minor league LHP Battista Caruso in return.
There were the usual moves to protect as many Rule 5 eligible players as possible with the inevitable logjam meaning trades.
SP David Padilla was acquired from Detroit in 2036 and had made his way up to AAA without there being a clear route for him to pitch in the big leagues. Acquiring some cash and a younger arm was an easy decision for the Royals. St Louis failed to protect him and Detroit selected him in the first round of the Rule 5 draft.
3B Jon Basiliere was a harder goodbye but he was out of options and better bats had overtaken the talented infielder. Caruso has the potential to offer a solid bullpen arm with two plus-plus pitches giving him plus-plus stuff to go with potential above average movement. His walk rate will determine his success as he will open in AA.
Monday, December 24th , 2040
Lost 3B Jesus Medina in the Rule 5 Draft to the Colorado Rockies.
Lost 2B Jorge Medrano in the Rule 5 Draft to the New York Yankees.
Lost CF Pat McGuinness in the Rule 5 Draft to the Boston Red Sox.
Lost C Jorge Mendiola in the Rule 5 Draft to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Lost SP Luis Medina in the Rule 5 Draft to the Detroit Tigers.
The logjam won in 2040 as the Royals lost five players in the draft. Luis Medina was a trade acquisition where cash was the more important part of the deal, Mendiola was 2034 International Amateur signing whose bat hasnt developed to overcome the limited glove, Jorge Medrano was part of the 2036 International Amateur class who has a shot in the big leagues but had others ahead of him in Kansas City, Jesus Medina was another trade acquisition, while Pat McGuinness was a Minor Leage Free Agent.
Free Agents & Transactions
Sunday, December 9th , 2040
Signed free agent CL Dan Nichols to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,800,000.
Dan Nichols is signed on a one-year deal to see if he can replace Banmei Kanaokas innings in the bullpen at a fraction of the salary as a former Cy Young winner.
The dreaded Guru trip for Mike Connolly appears to have had a negative impact so the early months of the season will be critical to evaluate how much impact from the options presented it seemed a suspension was the only appropriate course of action.
