2011 KC Royals - Pre-season

[SubGod22]

Prospect Watch: Top 10 left-handed pitchers

2. Mike Montgomery, Royals: The only thing that slowed Montgomery down last year was a forearm strain. The Royals were understandably cautious and shut him down for two months, but there are no long-term concerns. Montgomery has size, stuff and a very good feel for pitching. His fastball is plus and his curve is close. The changeup is behind, but it's nearly caught up. He commands his pitches well and his size helps create a downward plane. All he needs is more experience and he'll be ready for Kansas City in the near future.

9. John Lamb, Royals: There are some who like Lamb more than Montgomery, and for the Royals, that's a pleasant situation. Lamb could be the steal of the 2008 Draft -- he was taken in the fifth round -- as his stuff and pitching know-how are very exciting. His fastball and changeup are his two plus pitches, and while his curve isn't quite as good, it's still an effective pitch. They're made even better by his outstanding command and competitive nature on the mound. Just 20, he and Montgomery will be together to start the year in Double-A, and it will be an interesting race to see who gets to Kansas City first.

[BenWSU]

Anyone know why Wichita was taken off the caravan list ??? Caravan Article

[SubGod22]

One last post before my "break", Butler, Royals secure four-year extension

Billy Butler's four-year, $30 million contract extension with the Royals -- first reported by MLB.com on Saturday -- was confirmed by the team later in the day and will be celebrated by the Royals and Butler at a news conference on Tuesday at Kauffman Stadium.

The multiyear contract helps the two sides avoid salary arbitration and gives Butler the security of a long-term deal through 2014. The contract includes a club option for '15 at $12.5 million plus escalators that could increase it to $14.5 million. The total package, then, could be worth a total of $44.5 million.

According to Butler, the contract breaks down to a $2 million signing bonus plus $3 million salary in 2011, with salaries of $8 million each in 2012, '13 and '14. There is a $1 million buyout for the option year.

[RoyalShock]

I like the way that contract is formed. Makes him tradeable should circumstances make that option attractive.

It's also being said that prospect Wil Myers will switch from C to OF to start the season. That should accelerate his advancement through the system.

[SubGod22]

About a 26 hour break is all I could take. I've breathed a bit and I'm bored as hell at work and doing nothing but fixing my supervisors mistakes as she runs off to lunch. With that said, Royals Awards Show offers a look at the future

George Brett looks at Mike Moustakas and sees a lot of similarities.

Brett shared those with a Royals FanFest crowd on Saturday, as he presented Moustakas with the aptly named George Brett Award as the top hitter in the team's Minor League system.

"This year's recipient and I have a lot in common," Brett said. "We both grew up in Southern California. He was a No. 1 round draft pick, I was a No. 2 round draft pick. We both played shortstop in high school. And the first year we started playing baseball in the pros, they moved us to third base. We both hit left-handed. The one thing that I never did as a Minor Leaguer with the Royals was lead the whole Minor Leagues in home runs."

"Like me, he's a student of the game. Like me, and I've seen this guy play, he loves to get dirty, he loves to slide, he loves to sweat, he loves to work hard," Brett said. "And, like me, he respects the game of baseball. I think in the very, very near future, you're going to get a good view of the man I'm talking about."

High praise from the Hall of Famer who made his mark as the Royals' third baseman, a job that Moustakas expects to fill at some point.

"If I could be anything like George, I mean, holy crap!" Moustakas said to a roar of laughter.

Top 50 prospects will be announced tonight at 7pm. The Royals are bound to have a few on the list. It'll be interesting to see how many and where they rank.

[RoyalShock]

Speaking of "holy crap!", who can't wait for a middle of the lineup that includes Butler, Moose, Hoz and Myers?

[SubGod22]

Speaking of "holy crap!", who can't wait for a middle of the lineup that includes Butler, Moose, Hoz and Myers?

The potential of that lineup makes me :D

[lostshocker]

only 6 in the top 50

and they arent at the bottom of that list.

[ShockerGorilla]

only 6 in the top 50

and they arent at the bottom of that list.

Not to be a downer, but Alex Gordon was probably on that list when he was playing here in Wichita.

[SubGod22]

only 6 in the top 50

and they arent at the bottom of that list.

Only? I'll take it. I believe I've heard we have about 10 or so in the Top 100. At least based off of last years projections.

[SubGod22]

Royals' system rated No. 1 by Baseball America

"The Royals have one of the deepest and most talented farm systems in recent memory," Callis said. "It's unusual to see a system with three stud hitters like Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas and Wil Myers or four quality lefties like John Lamb, Mike Montgomery, Danny Duffy and Chris Dwyer, and the Royals have both. To show how highly we regard the Royals' system, we ranked it No. 1 before the Zack Greinke trade, which netted more top prospects."

[SubGod22]

Butler's passion for Royals, to win shows

"When Billy steps into the box, it's an event, and it's something we all look forward to," Moore said.

"He has a great deal of passion to play this game, and he wants to be a great hitter, not just a good hitter, so that's never really been an issue for us," Moore said. "He loves to play and that's what he does."

Butler has been fervent about his desire to continue playing in the field at first base and not become a full-time designated hitter. He was asked again if he'd be upset if someone bumped him into the DH role.

"No, I would not be, because that would mean somebody would be working even that much harder than I am," Butler said. "I know my limitations, and I'm working through those."

"Obviously, I got to be around Mike Sweeney in 2007, when I came up, and everybody knows what type of person Mike is, and if I could be half of what Mike Sweeney was, I'll be happy with it," Butler said. "I'm just striving to be that type of guy for the organization."

I love this kid.

[RoyalShock]

Uh oh. Mike Stinkey on the RoyalsCorner board better not see that last quote from Billy!

[SubGod22]

Royals lose Hughes on waivers to Twins

Not huge news, but he was semi-effective as a rookie reliever and the only lefty we had in the pen.

[SubGod22]

Royals foresee future in Hosmer