Three Royals prospects listed in the Arizona League's top 20...
RC was pleased to learn today that three Royals prospects, all 2005 draftees fresh out of high school, were listed today in Baseball America's Top 20 list of Arizona League prospects. Shortstop Jeff Bianchi, KC's second round pick out of Pennsylvania, was listed as the league's top position player and fourth overall. Oufielder Joe Dickerson was rated as the league's second-best outfielder and ninth best prospect overall, and pitcher Brent Fisher was named the league's second-best lefty and 18th-best prospect.
On Bianchi, BA wrote:
A short, compact middle infielder, Bianchi is what he is: a blue-collar player with limited projection. He’s an advanced hitter—already one of the best in the Royals system—with an excellent approach and the potential for 15-20 homers annually. He made an easy transition to wood bats and makes consistent contact to all fields with a short, line-drive swing.
Bianchi's stats on the season, which was cut short due to injury, were stellar: .408/.484/.745 with 6 HR in 98 at bats. Had he not been plagued by a pulled back muscle, Bianchi almost certainly would have carried home the league's triple crown.
On Dickerson, BA wrote:
Dickerson's bat is his best tool. He has good bat speed with a line-drive swing, but he needs to be more selective because he chases too many breaking balls out of the strike zone. A dead pull hitter, Dickerson has limited raw power but more than Lubanski at a similar stage. He led the league with nine triples.
Dickerson led the Arizona League in RBIs, and BA says that some folks compare him to Mark Kotsay. He gets good reads and takes good routes on fly balls, and he's not afraid to play a shallow center field.
On Fisher, BA wrote:
Fisher has an easy, deliberate delivery that enabled him to get good deception and late movement on a sinking, fringe-average fastball, which he kept down in the zone consistently. He should add velocity with maturity and minor tinkering with his mechanics. His 12-to-6 curveball and changeup already are solid secondary pitches.
On the season, Fisher put up an excellent line of: 50.1 IP, 48 H, 2 HR, 13 BB, and 69 K with a 3.04 ERA.
posted by Dave @ 1:05 AM
8 comments
8 Comments:
He isn't going to make it at SS.
And isn't it time to take Howell off the top-5 prospects list? He has over 60 innings in the big leagues. 51 is the rookie limit, so next year, he won't be considered a rookie.
3 more games until we can confirm what we already know. Is there anybody available in next year's MLB draft that would remotely remind us Griffey Jr., A-Rod or Jeter? -Greg-
RC's Top Prospect List will be re-tooled shortly. We plan to present a top 25 list at the conclusion of the season, and yes, it will still include Howell. Though he may no longer qualify as a rookie, he is still qualifies for our list.
Did anyone read the comment Bell had on Berroa on kcroyals.com? I knew I didn't want Bell when they hired him....what were they thinking? I realize he needs a chance, but the guy has not been a winner.
Doesn't look like there's going to be an Upton-type player at the top unless Upton doesn't sign with Arizona. Looks like there's a lot of college pitching that could go early. Andrew Miller out of UNC is probably the favorite as of now.
What are the requirements for your list? When does a player "graduate" it?
I get it... I guess when we have so few pitching prospects (or legitimate prospects period at any position), you probably need to keep a guy like Howell on the list.
Jeff Bianchi Timeline:
2004 - High school
2005 - 1/2 season of rookie ball, 1/2 season lost to injury
2006 - 3/4 season of low A, 1/4 season of high A
2007 - major leagues
Yep, that would fit in well with the Royals highly-respected promotion policy.
Um, how about 2009 for Bianchi? AA in 2007, AAA in 2008, Royals in 2009, just when Berroa is ready to leave. He'll still just be 22 when he arrives in the majors. Or even 2010?
What exactly is wrong with letting a player develop NORMALLY, and actually being ready to play when he gets to the majors?
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