Kansas City Royals Top-15 Prospects of 2010, No’s 1 – 5

ALSO SEE – Royals Top Prospects, No’s 6 – 15

Grades are based on a prospect’s projected value over the course of his career and how likely it is that prospect will fulfill his projected value. Various factors are accounted for including upside, red flags, actual performance, and closeness to the majors. See the 2010 Prospect Primer for more information as it relates to prospect grading and philosophy.

Hitters must have 100 or fewer Major League ABs to qualify for this list. Starting pitchers must have 50 or fewer Major League innings to qualify for this list. Relief pitchers must have 25 or fewer Major League innings to qualify for this list. Ages are listed as of May 1st, 2010. Levels are based on the highest level in which a prospect played in 2009. All grades are subject to change based on any new information I receive before the season starts.

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Player Grades
Contact – 45 Now | 65 Future
Power – 45 | 60
Discipline – 40 | 55
Speed – 50 | 45
Defense* – 40 | 50
Arm – 60 | 60
Instincts – 45 | 60
ETA – 2014
Final Grade – B+
*Catcher Defense

Get a better sense of the bat speed and Myers possesses and hard contact he makes by clicking here

Body Type – Athletic and very projectable

Scouting Report

Wil Myers can play almost any position on the field. The Royals will start him at catcher where his bat will have the most value. He’s raw for the position, but he has the tools to make it work. His arm is strong and accurate and he explodes well out of his crouched position, allowing him to release the ball very quickly. You can read more about and see Myers’ defense in action by clicking here.

Myers is a little raw with the bat, but his tools are undeniable. His hands are strong and he’s able to generate exceptional bat speed without adding much length to his swing.

Myers’ bat explodes through the hitting zone and the ball jumps off his bat. Good hand-eye coordination allows Myers to consistently put the bat head on the ball.

Myers is especially good at driving pitches on the inside portion of the plate. Part of this is because he clears his hips early, allowing his hands to get inside with ease. This might leave him a little vulnerable to pitches on the outside corner. I do think his swing mechanics need to be cleaned up a bit.

I’d like to see Myers be a little more selective at the plate as he can get a little impatient with pitchers that consistently pitch around him. He’s also an aggressive hitter by nature.

I expect the Royals to start Myers in Burlington of the Midwest League, but I can’t say with certainty what their plans are.

Best Case Outcome – He’s an All Star talent

More Likely Outcome – A little too soon to say…need more data

Player Grades
Fastball – 55 Now | 60 Future
Curveball – 55 | 60
Change-Up – 50 | 55
Control – 50 | 60
Command – 50 | 55/60
Pitchability – 50 | 60
ETA – 2012
Final Grade – B+

Body Type – Long and lanky with a projectable build

Stuff

Fastball – Sits between 90 – 94 with good life and tail on the pitch

Curveball – Slow with a big break, but it appears faster than it really is because of the tight spin. He doesn’t always command it, but Montgomery becomes very tough to hit when he’s throwing it for strikes

Montgomery also a palm ball, which he used in high school and it’s a pitch he can use every once in a while to throw hitters off balance

Change-Up – The pitch has come a long way since high school and it’s a potential above average offering with good sink

Scouting Report

Mike Montgomery adapted to pro ball well, making it all the way to A+ Wilmington right around the time he turned 20.

Montgomery has a good feel for pitching and is able to command his offerings to both sides of the plate. He’s a good athlete and repeats his delivery well. He has good arm speed and a nice whip like action which is a big factor in the kind of life he gets on his pitches.

Montgomery could start next season in Double-A Northwest Arkansas.

Best Case Outcome – No. 2 starter

More Likely Outcome – No. 3 starter

Brief Rundown on Prospects 3 – 5

3. Aaron Crow | RHP | Grade – B/B+ – Close to big league ready and has the upside of a No. 2 starter…lost development time since being drafted in 2008 I think has hurt him a bit

4. Mike Moustakas | 3b | Grade – B – Very difficult player to grade…I’m giving him one year to improve his discipline and patience before I start moving him down the prospect list

5. Danny Duffy | LHP | Grade – B – Very solid across the board, Duffy has yet to have a bad season as a professional

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UP NEXT – Kansas City Royals Top Prospects, No’s 6 – 15

Other References and Resources Used for This Article – First Inning and Minor League Splits