Kansas City Royals | The Golden Sombrero Baseball Blog | MLB, Fantasy, College & High School Baseball News

Top 50 Prospects: #16 – Bubba Starling

#17 Bubba Starling

Kansas City Royals

DOB: 8/3/1992

Previous Rank: N/A

ETA: 2014

Starling was the top prep position player available in the 2011 draft.  His tools were the finest in the 2011 class for any position player, though.  He’s blazing fast, throws gas from the outfield, generates outstanding bat speed, and has a frame that projects both in terms of potential and the likelihood of a healthy career.  As far as we at The Sombrero are concerned, however, that is where the compliments end.

Starling is loaded with shit makeup, a lack of familiarity with the game, and poor fundamentals in terms of both mechanics and comprehension.  He signed late too, and basically missed half a season unnecessarily, suggesting that baseball is not a terribly high priority for him.  You’d think a guy who wasted as much time fooling around with a football as Starling did would want to get started early to attempt to maybe even the playing field between himself and the guys who have lived within the game for the last 10 or 15 years.

Starling then proceeded to receive an underage drinking charge.  Don’t look for this guy to ever have much in the way of baseball IQ.  Expect insane tools and athleticism, the type that guys like Starling don’t deserve.  He should spend a season and a half or two in the low Minors and about the same amount in Double-A and Triple-A.  Look for him to debut in center some time in 2014.  KC is really going to regret passing on Archie Bradley.


Top 50 Prospects: #28 – Jake Odorizzi

#28 Jake Odorizzi

Kansas City Royals

DOB: 3/27/1990

Previous Rank: 35

ETA: 2013

As the highest ceiling player moved for Zack Greinke last winter in the blockbuster deal between the Royals and Brewers, the expectations were significant for Odorizzi this year.  He excelled in the Carolina League and earned himself a promotion to Double-A.  His numbers took a hit a little bit in his 12 starts for Northwest Arkansas as we might expect for a 21-year-old in an advanced league, but he still finished the year with an sub-4.00 ERA and 157 strikeouts against 44 walks in nearly 150 innings.

Year Age Tm Lg Lev Aff W L W-L% ERA G GS SV IP BB SO
2008 18 Brewers ARIZ Rk MIL 1 2 .333 3.48 11 4 0 20.2 9 19
2009 19 Helena PION Rk MIL 1 4 .200 4.40 12 10 0 47.0 9 43
2010 20 Wisconsin MIDW A MIL 7 3 .700 3.43 23 20 1 120.2 40 135
2011 21 2 Teams 2 Lgs A+-AA KCR 10 7 .588 3.73 27 27 0 147.0 44 157
2011 21 Wilmington CARL A+ KCR 5 4 .556 2.87 15 15 0 78.1 22 103
2011 21 Northwest Arkansas TL AA KCR 5 3 .625 4.72 12 12 0 68.2 22 54
4 Seasons 19 16 .543 3.70 73 61 1 335.1 102 354
Rk (2 seasons) Rk 2 6 .250 4.12 23 14 0 67.2 18 62
A (1 season) A 7 3 .700 3.43 23 20 1 120.2 40 135
AA (1 season) AA 5 3 .625 4.72 12 12 0 68.2 22 54
A+ (1 season) A+ 5 4 .556 2.87 15 15 0 78.1 22 103
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 12/11/2011.
Year Age Tm Lg Lev Aff W L ERA IP WHIP H/9 HR/9 BB/9 SO/9 SO/BB
2008 18 Brewers ARIZ Rk MIL 1 2 3.48 20.2 1.306 7.8 0.9 3.9 8.3 2.11
2009 19 Helena PION Rk MIL 1 4 4.40 47.0 1.362 10.5 0.6 1.7 8.2 4.78
2010 20 Wisconsin MIDW A MIL 7 3 3.43 120.2 1.152 7.4 0.5 3.0 10.1 3.38
2011 21 2 Teams 2 Lgs A+-AA KCR 10 7 3.73 147.0 1.211 8.2 1.0 2.7 9.6 3.57
2011 21 Wilmington CARL A+ KCR 5 4 2.87 78.1 1.149 7.8 0.5 2.5 11.8 4.68
2011 21 Northwest Arkansas TL AA KCR 5 3 4.72 68.2 1.282 8.7 1.7 2.9 7.1 2.45
4 Seasons 19 16 3.70 335.1 1.217 8.2 0.8 2.7 9.5 3.47
Rk (2 seasons) Rk 2 6 4.12 67.2 1.345 9.7 0.7 2.4 8.2 3.44
A (1 season) A 7 3 3.43 120.2 1.152 7.4 0.5 3.0 10.1 3.38
AA (1 season) AA 5 3 4.72 68.2 1.282 8.7 1.7 2.9 7.1 2.45
A+ (1 season) A+ 5 4 2.87 78.1 1.149 7.8 0.5 2.5 11.8 4.68
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 12/11/2011.

He likely will begin the year back in the Texas League, but a quick promotion is possible given the shortage of quality starters in KC and the urgency of competing in the Central before Alex Gordon and Billy Butler begin their declines.  Odorizzi is undoubtedly the top pitcher in the system, and we at The Sombrero really hope, for Kansas City’s sake, that they don’t do something stupid like trade him for a mid-level starter this winter or at the 2012 deadline if they are still in the hunt.

His fastball reaches 96 mph and sits at 93-94, and his breaking ball is a sledge when in the zone.  His command of it needs to improve, but he has a couple of years still before it absolutely must be reliable.  He throws a slider and a change as well, but they are behind the fastball and curveball and will be no better than 50s.  Still, Odorizzi is a strike-throwing fireballer with a projectable, athletic frame and results that suggest he will be a consistent No. 2 at worst.


Top 50 Prospects: #38 – Wil Myers

#38 Wil Myers

Kansas City Royals

DOB: 12/10/1990

Previous Rank: 15

ETA: 2013

Myers was ranked considerably higher last year, but a tough season in the Texas League as a 20-year-old has knocked him back a bit.  A triple slash line of .254/.353/.393 wouldn’t look nearly as bad if he was still behind the dish, but those numbers from a corner guy are far less impressive.  Nevertheless, he was a 20-year old in a very advanced league for someone that age, and all of the tools are still present.  Additionally he missed about a month of the first half due to a freak knee injury.

Year Age Tm Lg Lev G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BA
2009 18 2 Teams 2 Lgs Rk 22 96 84 19 31 7 2 5 18 2 0 .369
2009 18 Idaho Falls PION Rk 18 80 68 18 29 7 1 4 14 2 0 .426
2009 18 Burlington APPY Rk 4 16 16 1 2 0 1 1 4 0 0 .125
2010 19 2 Teams 2 Lgs A-A+ 126 541 447 70 141 37 3 14 83 12 6 .315
2010 19 Burlington MIDW A 68 294 242 42 70 19 1 10 45 10 3 .289
2010 19 Wilmington CARL A+ 58 247 205 28 71 18 2 4 38 2 3 .346
2011 20 Northwest Arkansas TL AA 99 416 354 50 90 23 1 8 49 9 2 .254
3 Seasons 247 1053 885 139 262 67 6 27 150 23 8 .296
Rk (1 season) Rk 22 96 84 19 31 7 2 5 18 2 0 .369
A (1 season) A 68 294 242 42 70 19 1 10 45 10 3 .289
AA (1 season) AA 99 416 354 50 90 23 1 8 49 9 2 .254
A+ (1 season) A+ 58 247 205 28 71 18 2 4 38 2 3 .346
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 11/24/2011.
Year Age Tm Lg Lev G PA AB HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS TB
2009 18 2 Teams 2 Lgs Rk 22 96 84 5 18 9 18 .369 .427 .679 1.106 57
2009 18 Idaho Falls PION Rk 18 80 68 4 14 9 15 .426 .488 .735 1.223 50
2009 18 Burlington APPY Rk 4 16 16 1 4 0 3 .125 .125 .438 .563 7
2010 19 2 Teams 2 Lgs A-A+ 126 541 447 14 83 85 94 .315 .429 .506 .934 226
2010 19 Burlington MIDW A 68 294 242 10 45 48 55 .289 .408 .500 .908 121
2010 19 Wilmington CARL A+ 58 247 205 4 38 37 39 .346 .453 .512 .966 105
2011 20 Northwest Arkansas TL AA 99 416 354 8 49 52 87 .254 .353 .393 .745 139
3 Seasons 247 1053 885 27 150 146 199 .296 .399 .477 .876 422
Rk (1 season) Rk 22 96 84 5 18 9 18 .369 .427 .679 1.106 57
A (1 season) A 68 294 242 10 45 48 55 .289 .408 .500 .908 121
AA (1 season) AA 99 416 354 8 49 52 87 .254 .353 .393 .745 139
A+ (1 season) A+ 58 247 205 4 38 37 39 .346 .453 .512 .966 105
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 11/24/2011.
Year Age Tm Lg Lev G Ch PO A E DP Fld% RF/G CS%
2009 18 2 Teams 2 Lgs Rk C 11 109 94 14 1 1 .991 9.82 42%
2009 18 Idaho Falls PION Rk C 9 92 78 13 1 1 .989 10.11 45%
2009 18 Burlington APPY Rk C 2 17 16 1 0 0 1.000 8.50 0%
2010 19 2 Teams 2 Lgs A-A+ C 75 574 503 66 5 2 .991 7.59 32%
2010 19 Burlington MIDW A C 47 365 318 43 4 2 .989 7.68 34%
2010 19 Wilmington CARL A+ C 28 209 185 23 1 0 .995 7.43 26%
2011 20 Northwest Arkansas TL AA LF 6 14 14 0 0 0 1.000 2.33
2011 20 Northwest Arkansas TL AA CF 13 30 29 0 1 0 .967 2.23
2011 20 Northwest Arkansas TL AA RF 75 158 148 4 6 1 .962 2.03
2011 20 Northwest Arkansas TL AA DH 4 0.00
2011 20 Northwest Arkansas TL AA OF 94 202 191 4 7 1 .965 2.07
3 Seasons 184 885 788 84 13 4 .985 4.74 33%
C (2 seasons) C 86 683 597 80 6 3 .991 7.87 33%
CF (1 season) CF 13 30 29 0 1 0 .967 2.23
RF (1 season) RF 75 158 148 4 6 1 .962 2.03
DH (1 season) DH 4 0.00
LF (1 season) LF 6 14 14 0 0 0 1.000 2.33
OF (1 season) OF 94 202 191 4 7 1 .965 2.07
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 11/24/2011.

(more…)

Golden Sombrero: Jim Thome (again)

Top 1: Jim Thome struck out swinging against Luke Hochevar

Top 4: called out on strikes against Hochevar

Top 6: called out on strikes against Hochevar

Top 9: struck out swinging against Greg Holland

Final Line: 0-for-4, 4 K

Notes: With his golden sombrero on Saturday, Thome became the second player this season to accomplish the feat for two different teams – Kelly Johnson is the other.  A recent addition to the 600 Home Run Club, I can only imagine how many times Thome has worn a sombrero in his career. It looks like it might be time to subscribe to Baseball-Reference.com’s Play Index…

Total 2011 Sombreros: 104

Golden Sombrero: Adam Lind

Bottom 2: Adam Lind grounded out to second against Jeff Francis

Bottom 4: Lind called out on strikes against Francis

Bottom 6: Lind struck out swinging against Francis

Bottom 8: Lind struck out swinging against Greg Holland

Bottom 9: Lind struck out swinging against Joakim Soria

Final Line: 0-for-5, 4 K

Notes: One of three players to register a platinum sombrero in 2010, Lind got on the board with a golden sombrero against the Kansas City Royals on Thursday.  After hitting .311 with 9 home runs and 22 RBI in June, Lind tailed off in July (.210, 3 HR, 10 RBI) and his struggles have only intensified in August – .181 (17-for-94), 3 HR, 14 RBI, 20 K, 0 BB.

Total 2011 Sombreros: 97