Breaking Down the Minor League Rosters

Posted by: Clint Scoles Posted date: March 30, 2012 In: Royals | comment : 18

Louis Coleman photo via Minda Haas

Kane County Cougars

Pitchers:
Scott Alexander, LHP 6th Rd 2010
Aaron Brooks, RHP 9th Rd 2011
Eric Cantrell, RHP 7th Rd 2010
Edwin Carl, FA RHP 17.8 K/9 career 33 appearances
Jonathon Dooley, RHP 26th Rd 2010
Santiago Garrido, RHP IFA BP
Mike Giovenco, RHP 14th Rd 2010
Nick Graffeo, RHP 38th Rd 2010
Jason Mitchell, RHP 15th Rd 2010
Kellen Moen, RHP 7th Rd 2011
Brooks Pounders, RHP Trade
Matt Ridings, RHP 41st Rd 2010
Andrew Stueve FA

Catchers:
Edul Escobar IFA
Jin-Ho Shin IFA

Infielders:
Mike Antonio 3b/SS, 3rd Rd 2010
Orlando Calixte SS, IFA
Yowill Espinal 2b, IFA
Daniel Mateo 2b, IFA
Henry Moreno 1b, IFA
Justin Trapp 2b 34th Rd 2009
Murray Watts 1b 28th Rd 2010

Outfielders:
Lane Adams OF 13th Rd 2009
Jorge Bonifacio RF IFA
Tim Ferguson CF 2010 10th Rd
Alex Llanos OF 2008 6th Rd

Strength of the Team: Up the middle on the infield Justin Trapp, Orlando Calixte and Daniel Mateo will make for a solid group of athletic infielders along with Antonio spelling them on days off.

Interesting Move: Tim Ferguson heads to the Midwest league after playing a full season at High A Wilmington last year.

UH OH: Murray Watts is a big 1b but after struggling in the Midwest league last year he’ll have to get off to a hot start this season to avoid players left in extended.

New Level New Star: Jorge Bonifacio and Mike Antonio both have oodles of power in their bat but they’ll both need to have a patient approach to succeed.

Most Intriguing: Edwin Carl has put up video game numbers in the Pioneer league will a new level prove he’s a one trick pony or not?

Promotion Bet: The Cougars are going to need to make way for some starting pitching with a likely move up from extended spring by one of Binford, Smith, Brickhouse or Junis meaning Brooks Pounders could be the guy moved up the quickest.

Wilmington Blue Rocks

Pitchers:
Jason Adam, RHP 2010 5th Rd
Greg Billo, RHP 2008 28th Rd
Chase Boruff, RHP FA
Ryan Dennick, LHP 2009 22nd Rd
Jon Keck, LHP 2009 42nd Rd
Sugar Ray Marimon, RHP IFA
Thomas Melgarejo, LHP IFA
Leondy Perez, RHP IFA
Nick Rogers, RHP FA
Sam Runion, RHP 2007 2nd Rd
Tyler Sample, RHP 2008 3rd Rd
Yordano Ventura RHP IFA
Cole White. RHP 2009 6th Rd

Catchers:
Kevin David, 19th Rd 2010
Travis Jones 50th Rd 2008
Kenny Swab 21st Rd 2010

Infielders:
Cheslor Cuthbert 3b, IFA
Angel Franco 2b/3b IFA
Jake Kuebler 1B 17th Rd 2008
Alex McClure SS 11th Rd 2010
Whit Merrifield 2b/OF 9th Rd 2010
Luis Piterson IFA
Michael Liberto 21st Rd 2010

Outfielders:
Geulin Beltre RF IFA
Brian Fletcher LF 18th Rd 2010
Roman Hernandez CF Cuban Signee

Strength of the Team: Starting Pitching – The Kane County crew of Adam, Ventura and Billo combined with a repeat season out of Sample should lead to a decent start for the Rocks.

Interesting Move: Whit Merrifield who played the majority of last year in the outfield looks to be making a switch to 2b permanently. I like Whit’s chances of making a ML roster in the future as a Willie Bloomquist type.

UH OH: Sam Runion is the one to watch here after getting a few shots in the Midwest league if the former 2nd rounder can’t find himself in the pen early his career could be winding down.

New Level New Star: Brian Fletcher showed he could hit upper level pitching during spring training so a move to High A may not be a test to his bat.

Most Intriguing: Do the stud right handed starting pitchers whip through Wilmington like prospects of the past or do they hit a bump in the road?

Promotion Bet: Even without a great hitting environment I believe Brian Fletcher is a good enough hitter he’ll push his way to AA prior to the break.

NW Arkansas Naturals

Pitchers:
Noel Arguelles, LHP Cuban Signee
Buddy Baumann, LHP 7th Rd 2009
Andrew Dobies, LHP Red Sox 3rd Rd
Chris Dwyer, LHP 4th Rd 2009
Blaine Hardy, LHP 22nd Rd 2008
Patrick Keating, RHP 20th Rd 2009
Brendan Lafferty, LHP 18th Rd 2009
Michael Mariot, RHP 8th Rd 2010
Justin Marks, LHP Trade
Tim Melville, RHP 4th Rd 2008
Jake Odorizzi, RHP Trade
Bryan Paukovitz, RHP 44th Rd 2006
Elisaul Pimentel RHP Trade
Kendal Volz RHP Trade

Catchers:
Ryan Jenkins 17th Rd 2010
Julio Rodriguez Trade
Ben Theriot 9th Rd 2009

Infielders:
Christian Colon, 1st Rd 2010
Mario Lisson, IFA
Kurt Mertins, 13th Rd 2006
Rey Navarro, Trade
Sharlon Schoop FA
John Whittleman FA

Outfielders:
Terry Evans, FA
Wil Myers, 3rd Rd 2009
Yem Prades Cuban Signee
Carlo Testa 18th Rd 2008

Strength of the Team: The Bullpen Paukovits, Keating, Volz, Hardy and Lafferty should make up a solid bullpen with good combination of power and finesse.

Interesting Move: Nothing too surprising here

UH OH: If Arguelles doesn’t start to show the stuff the Royals saw when he signed then he could have problems getting over all the lefties in the system even with the big contract.

New Level New Star: Yem Prades looks the part as a physically gifted player but can he turn that football body into a productive baseball player.

Most Intriguing: Tim Melville has the velocity to succeed but can he succeed. The Royals allowed him to throw his cutter/slider late last season, will that be the difference needed to succeed?

Promotion Bet: Wil Myers would be the safe bet here but I think the Royals would like to take it slow with the Future star and with Franceour on a two year deal they have that flexibility. With him out of the loop one must look at the bullpen for a Omaha replacement and I’ll choose Patrick Keating to shine after finally gaining some health in his arm.

Omaha Storm Chasers

Pitchers:
Nate Adcock RHP Rule 5
Louis Coleman RHP
Roman Colon FA
Ethan Hollingworth Trade
Jeremy Jeffress RHP Trade
Vin Mazzaro RHP Trade
Zach Miner FA
Mike Montgomery LHP 1st Rd Supplemental 2008
Brandon Sisk LHP FA
Will Smith LHP Trade
Ryan Verdugo LHP Trade

Catchers:
Cody Clark C
Ryan Eigsti 15th Rd 2007

Infielders:
Tony Abreu MIF FA
Irving Falu SS 21st Rd 2003
Johnny Giavotella 2b 2nd Rd 2008
Clint Robinson 1b 25th Rd 2007
Jamie Romak 1b/3b FA
Anthony Seratelli UT

Outfielders:
Jarrod Dyson OF 50th Rd 2006
David Lough LF 11th Rd 2007
Derrick Robinson OF 4th Rd 2006

Strength of the Team: Bats Dyson, Lough, Gio, CRob and Falu makeup a lineup that have achieved success in AAA and will likely hold its own again.

Interesting Move: Louis Coleman gets a demotion after having a successful 2011 campaign at the major league level. He’ll zip back up in no time.

UH OH: There haven’t been many positive reviews of Mike Montgomery this spring, has the lefty reached his peak level?

New Level New Star: Will Smith may not be a star but he had an impressive second half in AA last year and held his own at times this spring. He should be able to give the Chasers a quality start more than not this year.

Most Intriguing: The Johnny Giavotella watch will be in full effect all season long, will the second baseman demand a callup or struggle to push his way back to KC.

Promotion Bet: Louis Coleman shouldn’t have to wait long to get back to KC.

Follow me on Twitter @ClintScoles

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About The Author

Clint Scoles

I grew up on the mean gravel roads of Iowa where I started my love for baseball from the age of 2. George Brett and the voice of Denny Matthews deepened my love even more for the Royals as my father and I spent summers listening to the team on our deck or in the car on our way to or from my little league and high school games. Sports was always the common bond that my father and I enjoyed and the Royals were in the center of that. I currently live in La Vista with my wife, two sons, two dogs and a pair of gross cats where we are grinding through until we can move somewhere warm when we retire. I own Casino Cab Company and Bluffs Affordable Auto Repair in Council Bluffs trying to build my 1% empire. If you are in the area you can find me at Omaha Storm Chasers games on most nights or just follow me on twitter @ClintScoles.

Number of Entries : 621

Comments (18)

Clint Scoles

March 31, 2012 at 3:19 pm

1st of all, forgive me for being lazy and not reading 100% of this article and the kc star one. but did you just copy what kc star had or did you add/sub any players that you thought would end up at a particular level/team?? what happens to these guys? Francisley Bueno, rhp – Tommy Hottovy, lhp – Max Ramirez, C – Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3b – according to KC star list…. AAA has 22 players. AA has 27 players A+ has 26 players (why/how is Sam Runion still around?) A- has 28 players. i’m sure you’ll add/sub/move some players once the injured/not ready players are assigned to a team. thoughts on those and where they will join? thanks. rock chalk

Bueno Hottovy Ramirez and Kouz are all going to Omaha. The list of players can be found many places. Royals aren’t gonna give up on Runion just yet no point to until he’s a free agent after giving up 2nd round money to him
kcShogun

March 31, 2012 at 1:27 pm

1st of all, forgive me for being lazy and not reading 100% of this article and the kc star one. but did you just copy what kc star had or did you add/sub any players that you thought would end up at a particular level/team??

what happens to these guys?
Francisley Bueno, rhp –
Tommy Hottovy, lhp –
Max Ramirez, C –
Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3b –

according to KC star list….
AAA has 22 players.
AA has 27 players
A+ has 26 players (why/how is Sam Runion still around?)
A- has 28 players.

i’m sure you’ll add/sub/move some players once the injured/not ready players are assigned to a team.

thoughts on those and where they will join?

thanks. rock chalk
Greg Schaum

March 30, 2012 at 7:59 pm

I know Basturdo and Bavera were released we had that on this site a few months back….
revisroyalsfan

March 30, 2012 at 6:27 pm

My son and I were in Surprise this week and saw Van Stratten and Stovall – they are probably hurt. they didn’t play in the games we saw. Eibner was playing with the Blue Rocks team so I would expect him to be up with them soon. Read that he was injured earlier in ST. Eric Duncan was working out with the NWA team. I thought he would be the starting 3B for Naturals instead of Lisson.

Daniel Hernandez was in the camp but didn’t see him play. Read on NWA website that Garcia and Osuna were injured.
skillset

March 30, 2012 at 4:33 pm

Any idea about Leonel Santiago, Eric Basturdo, Dusty Odenbach, Nick Wooley, Brain Peacock, or Claudio Bavera? Have they been released or injured?

I thought L. Santiago would make the rotation in HiA. Odenbach and Basturdo seemed to have power arms.
Greg Schaum

March 30, 2012 at 4:15 pm

Bowden was released awhile ago….Hernandez had TJ I believe

Would think Caldwell and Cruz are hurt
Greg Schaum

March 30, 2012 at 4:15 pm

Bowden was released awhile ago ….Hernandez was tOo, I believe….guessing Duncan and Osuna too

Would think Caldwell and Cruz are hurt
skillset

March 30, 2012 at 1:42 pm

Does anyone know the status of Eric Duncan, Edgar Garcia, Edgar Osuna, Barry Bowden, Antonio Cruz, Allen Caldwell, and Daniel Hernandez?
Thanks in advance.
Clint Scoles

March 30, 2012 at 1:23 pm

No Ryan Stovall seemed like a decent bat but no real position defensively was a bit old for level last year. Don’t know a status if he’s still on team or not
Greg Schaum

March 30, 2012 at 1:05 pm

Orlando is injured…..Francis was released after last season….not sure on Smith and VanStratten yet
travis

March 30, 2012 at 11:38 am

Saw Yambati in a photo – he may still be rehabing in ST.

How about Crawford Simmons, anything known about his health?

Also saw that Jose Bonilla is hurt, I suppose it’s too early to get a full injury update for players.
Clint Scoles

March 30, 2012 at 11:00 am

Avinazar has been released
Clint Scoles

March 30, 2012 at 10:59 am

I believe all three have been released
Clint Scoles

March 30, 2012 at 10:58 am

Not sure on Yambati, Eibner is dealing with an injury probably see him in May or June.
royalinvirginia

March 30, 2012 at 10:37 am

What happened to Eibner? Have they given up on Yambati and Avinazar?
Bob Stalder

March 30, 2012 at 8:45 am

Definitely holds water… Starling is ready to play full season baseball, but there are some mechanical things to work out and extended is the best place to do it.
springtownroyal

March 30, 2012 at 8:44 am

I notice that a few players aren’t on this list. Did we release orlando, TSmith, Van Stratten, Francis?
ilroyalfan

March 30, 2012 at 1:51 am

I realize that these are the opening day rosters, but Bob Dutton said someting interesting. he said he believes that Starling will be in Kane County, possibly as early as the end of April. Does this hold water? Will Bubba actually advance that quick?