Financial Update
As we get closer to the start of the season, I have reviewed the team's financial state as of this moment.
As a reminder, you have $280,000,000 available for the total team expenses for the season.
Development Lab
Chris Kern 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.
Edgar Noriega has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at shortstop.
• No noticeable changes.
David de Anda 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 shortstop.
• Infield arm rating improves by 5
• Infield range rating improves by 5
• Infield error rating improves by <5
• Turn doubleplay rating improves by 5
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:
Wilson Escobedo, 17 year-old 3B out of Dominican Republic
Wilson Escobedo is a wiry framed third baseman who was born in La Romana, Dominican Republic. His power potential grades out as plus. He has a good swing. He won't likely set records, but could become a solid contact hitter. Scouts project Escobedo to fill a key role for a contending team in the big leagues.
Juan Banda, 16 year-old CF out of Venezuela
Lean and athletic, Juan Banda hails from Cabimas, Venezuela. As he adds strength, he'll hit with more authority. He is a young player with above average power potential. Banda has the talent to flourish in the majors.
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:
Ernesto Chairez, 17 year-old LF out of Dominican Republic
Jesus Coronado, 16 year-old SS out of Dominican Republic
Juan Fuentes, 16 year-old LF out of Dominican Republic
Luis Tapia, 16 year-old CF out of Venezuela
Juan Celis, 16 year-old CF out of Dominican Republic
Rodolfo Lara, 16 year-old CF out of Dominican Republic
David Rojo, 16 year-old CF out of Panama
Juan Zavala, 16 year-old RHP out of Panama
Fall League News
The manager of the Virginia Beach Maulers said he thinks Jorge Asebedo is only going to get better as he gets older.
He may only be 20, but it will be hard to top the center fielder's 2044 campaign, as he has been named the winner of the Arizona Fall League Most Valuable Player.
His winning campaign featured a .329 batting average and a .419 on-base percentage this year. In 58 games he piled up 76 hits, 13 doubles, no triples, 21 home runs, 51 RBIs and 51 runs scored.
He received 9 first place votes out of a possible 30. Josh Ashley of the Surprise Saguaros finished second in voting with 10 first place votes, while David Trevino of the Milwaukee War Eagles finished third with 7 first place votes.
Player - Team - First Place - Total Points
Jorge Asebedo - Virginia Beach Maulers - 9 - 269
Josh Ashley - Surprise Saguaros - 10 - 258
David Trevino - Milwaukee War Eagles - 7 - 258
Transactions
The Royals hit for the fence in January with a couple of big trades and several big signings coming into the ballclub.
The trades saw Major League roster members 3B Chris Ambrose and RP Naldo Lizcano traded, in addition to prospect SS Trovin Houle who just didn’t have a route to the Majors but will be a good MLB player, and borderline prospects LF Juan Guerrero and RP Zyhir Scollan.
In return the Royals got prospect LF Jorge Morales, a younger improvement on Guerrero, and potential 5* prospect SS Juan Montelongo, who the Reds had somehow called up to the big leagues last season as a 17-year old, thereby necessitating his adding to the 42-man roster and starts his three option years.
Most importantly, by giving up Houle the Royals were able to get $2.85m in amateur bonus pool money, the basis for the deal with the Royals having their eye on two elite prospects.
Those two were the CFs David Rojo and Rodolfo Lara. One left handed, one right handed, neither will stick at CF unless they have some strong development in the lab over several offseasons but both have bats that were too good to ignore. In addition, the Royals added a solid potential Catcher, a switch hitter but clearly many years from the leagues.
That was not the only switch hitting catcher the Royals signed as Mike Murphy returned to the Royals on a 3-year (two Team Option) contract, front loaded and worth up to $22m.
The final move was a gamble on the trajectory of OF Jorge Corujo, the rookie getting a 13-year contract as the Royals bet big on his development.
Monday, January 9th , 2045
Traded 24-year old 3B Chris Ambrose and 21-year old minor league LF Juan Guerrero to the Cleveland Guardians, getting 18-year old minor league LF Jorge Morales in return.
Saturday, January 14th , 2045
Signed LF Jorge Corujo to a 13-year contract extension worth a total of $87,000,000.
Sunday, January 15th , 2045
Traded 24-year old minor league SS Trovin Houle, 23-year old RHP Naldo Lizcano, 26-year old minor league LHP Zyhir Scollan, and $9,000,000 in cash to the Cincinnati Reds, getting 17-year old SS Juan Montelongo and $2,850,000 in international amateur bonus pool room in return.
Placed SS Juan Montelongo on the secondary (42-man) roster.
Friday, January 20th , 2045
Signed international amateur CF Rodolfo Lara out of Dominican Republic to a minor league contract with a $3,700,000 signing bonus.
Signed international amateur CF David Rojo out of Panama to a minor league contract with a $3,500,000 signing bonus.
Tuesday, January 24th , 2045
Signed free agent C Mike Murphy to a 3-year contract worth a total of $22,000,000.
Wednesday, January 25th , 2045
Signed international amateur C Frank Guevara out of Dominican Republic to a minor league contract with a $400,000 signing bonus.
Hall of Fame
Two new members of the Hall of Fame as Manny Machado finally receives the call in his 7th year on the ballot with 79.7%. There is a first ballot selection, though, with Ronald Acuna Jr. earning 99.3% of ballots to earn his place at the first time of asking.
