MLB Draft & College Baseball w/
@ProspectsLive
| Host of the On the Clock Pod | Royals MLB Lead Editor w/
@farmtofountains
| Worked in MLB & NCAA Baseball
Working on a project for On The Clock! Building out a YouTube channel for the show. A one-stop shop for all your MLB Draft content, including:
- Full Episodes: live looks & draft board breakdowns
- Draft Prospect Interviews
- College Coach Interviews
The Kansas City Royals highlight of the day is Yordano Ventura dominating game 6 of the 2014 World Series to force a game 7.
One of the greatest performances by Yordano. I’ll never forget this one. RIP Ace!
It’s time for the 1,000 follower giveaway! I wanted to thank everyone who’s supported me so I’m giving away two
#TogetherRoyal
autographed baseball cards (see pic below). To enter:
1. Be following me!
2. Like this tweet
3. Retweet this tweet
Giveaway announced Sunday!
Kansas City Royals highlight of the day features David DeJesus’ walk off home run against the Seattle Mariners on July 12, 2008 👀👀👀
Man, he was a bright spot on some not so great Royals teams!
Today’s Kansas City Royals highlight of the day is Mike Sweeney stealing home on Andy Pettitte and the New York Yankees!
Shoutout to
@HoshJoferer10
for the recommendation!
The
#Royals
Trade Deadline Summary…
OUT
Aroldis Chapman, LHP
Nicky Lopez, INF
Jose Cuas, RHP
Scott Barlow, RHP
Ryan Yarbrough, LHP
IN
Cole Ragans, LHP
Romi Cabrera, OF
Taylor Hearn, LHP
Nelson Velazquez, OF
Henry Williams, RHP
Jesus Rios, RHP
Devin Mann, 1B
Derlin Figueroa,
Prospect “analysts”: "Royals farm system sucks!"
Royals: *trades prospect from so called bad farm system for a proven piece*
Prospect “analysts”: "Royals got fleeced! Sandlin is good!"
Dylan Coleman is just flat out nasty. He’s definitely a dark horse to become the
@Royals
closer. Triple digit fastball to go along this hard slider. If he can stay healthy, he’s easily one of my favorites in the back end of that bullpen 🔥
Chicago Cubs pitching prospect
@DavidjohnHerz
was absolutely electric all year long. Of those who threw 80 IP, he ranked 3rd in K rate (40.4%) only behind Daniel Espino and Grayson Rodriguez. He improved his mechanics and CH to go with his CB. 📈📈📈
Low-key love this move. Seems light on paper, but Cole Ragans is a former first rounder. He has had two Tommy Johns. FB usually sits 90-93, T94. Plus CH. Makings of a starter.
Roni Cabrera is in his second DSL stint and still 17. Slashing .320/.469/.620 w/ a 18.8 BB% & 10 K%
And so trade season begins: The Texas Rangers, in pursuit of bullpen help, acquired left-handed pitcher Aroldis Chapman. Going back to Kansas City in the trade will be left-hander Cole Ragans and outfielder Roni Cabrera.
It doesn't get talked about enough, but Marcus Stroman (
@STR0
) is consistently good year in and year out. A career 3.64 ERA, great clubhouse guy, will get you a good amount of innings, and a competitor on the mound. Chicago Cubs have to be happy with this sign.
#ItsDifferentHere
Excited to announce I have become a full-time prospect writer w/
@RoyalsFarm
. Can't thank them enough for this awesome opportunity!
After working for the Kansas City Royals for almost 8 years, I became a huge fan and it will be great to cover the team I love more in-depth!
#Padres
OF prospect Robert Hassell III is 2 for 2 tonight with an RBI and 2 SBs. He’s hitting .311 on the season with 4 HRs, 42 RBIs, and 24 SBs. He’s quickly making his way into the top tier of prospects in his first pro season.
#Prospects
#FriarFaithful
The
#Royals
take Blake Wolters (RHP) with the 44th pick. From
@MLBPipeline
:
"He has been clocked as high as 99 this spring. His power and physicality have prompted comparisons to fellow Illinois prep product Bobby Miller, now a Top 100 prospect with the Dodgers, though Miller
Pratto has always been known for his ability to draw walks and he wasn’t being aggressive enough at the plate. Love the adjustments he’s made this year. Not letting pitches he should hit go by. Beautiful swing.
Kansas City Royals international signs so far:
Emmanuel Santos, OF
Darvin Cruz, OF
#49
Marwys Jorge, RHP
Jorge is really intriguing. Trained by Edinson Volquez. MLB Pipeline say some see a hint of Sandy Alcantara 👀. Have to take comps with a grain of salt of course.
I worked on my personal Kansas City Royals top 10 prospects over the weekend. I’ve got 2-6 at 50 OFPs.
This system took a bit of a bit with the graduations of Massey, Vinnie P, Pratto and others, but there is still a lot of fun talent in their farm system.
#TogetherRoyal
The Royals are making moves and apparently aren't done. Sounds like there is still a need for one more SP. If you had to choose, hypothetically, which move would you want them to make?
A. Trade MJ Melendez in a package for a 1/2 type SP. Sign a OFer like Tommy Pham
B. Salary
Digging a bit more into Blake Mitchell and don’t hate the pick for the
#Royals
. Mitchell came in at
#16
on
@JoeDoyleMiLB
’s ranks. Raw pop from the left with a progressing hit tool. Plus arm. Been up to 97 on the mound. 80-grade makeup as a person.
I’ve been watching video footage of
@Royals
2021 2nd Rounder (43rd overall) Ben Kudrna. FB has been up to 98 mph. Quick arm action and protectable frame. Slider with good bite gives him a solid secondary. CH w/ some depth tops off a solid three pitch mix.
Taking a look at my favorite under-the-radar prospects in each organization. Starting this series with the
@Royals
Vinnie Pasquantino - 1B 📈📈📈
Tucker Bradley - OF 📈📈🎯
Drew Parrish - SP📈👀
Carter Jensen - C 👀
Will Klein - SP 🔥🔥
Emilio Marquez - SP 🔥
#TogetherRoyal
I’ve been writing my series covering 2022 Kansas City Royals prospects to watch from each level this morning and I can’t get over how nasty Ben Hernandez’s change up is. Keep your 👀 on him. Advanced feel on the mound and developing a breaking pitch 🔥🔥🔥
I mean what are we even doing here?
This team is tied for the 5th best run differential in the MLB. Does the team have areas it can improve? Absolutely. As does every team.
To say this team has nothing good about them in the article is an absolutely wild take.
Baseball America on Royals International Signee Yandel Ricardo
"Ricardo is the top prospect from Cuba eligible to sign in 2024, blending good size, athleticism and hitting ability...He takes a direct, efficient swing from both sides with good bat path to stay behind the ball."
BA’s International Bonus Board is live.
The players expected to sign for the top 50 bonuses in the class. Scouting reports and signing team for each player.
Plus, “Trending Up” tags next to players rising heading into January 15.
Full board here ⬇️
I wrote about
@Royals
OF prospect Darryl Collins in my article released today for
@RoyalsFarm
. Athleticism. Advanced bat-to-ball skills with sound hitting approach. He has some of the best exit velocities in the farm system. Lots of unlocked potential left.
Another fun Kansas City Royals prospect from the 2021 MLB Draft is 5th rounder RHP Eric Cerantola from Montreal. Solid FB that can push up to 100 mph paired with an elite CB and average CH. You also gotta love the emotion he has on the mound!
@RoyalsFarm
Zach Haake looked great again today for the
#Royals
in the Arizona Fall League. The RHP went 3 innings giving up one hit, one earned run, and striking out four. In the previous outing he was sitting mid-90s. Great to see the continued progress trending up! 📈📈📈
#TogetherRoyal
Here’s Chase Burns complete start from yesterday, including all 13 K’s.
FB was 95-99 T 100 w/ insane carry & ride. Sat 97-99 early. Best pitch of the night was his SL (87-91), which he went to often late. Flashed a CH that hit 93 mph. Just insane stuff.
Have fun
@PitchingNinja
!
Being from Maryland, have to talk about Jake Yeager who’s a 2024 MLB Draft prospect. Been really impressed with his stuff in the videos I’ve seen. Maryland commit FB sits in the low-90s but can get it up to 95-96. SL is a good secondary. Physical makeup.
Excited to announce that the Beyond Baseball podcast is heading over to
@JustBB_Media
.
Caleb and I are all kinds of excited to bring incredible human side stories of players to Just Baseball Fans. Tons of incredible interviews lined up and ready to go.
More to come soon! 👀
I’m ready to see what Samad Taylor (.309/.391/.461) can do in the show. He’s cut his K rate below 20%. Showing off some pop and his plus speed with 21 SBs so far. Really nothing left for him to prove in Omaha.
Brito is a 24-year-old 1B/3B who was playing with the Staten Island Ducks of the Atlantic League.
Between the MLB Draft League and Staten Island, Brito slashed .336/.434/.586 with a 1.020 OPS and 18, 14 HR, 71 RBI in 302 PA (78 G).
#Royals
Everyone has focused on Witt, Jr., Pratto, and Melendez, but have you 👀 at Michael Massey? He's slashing .288/.352/.543 with 21 HR, 85 RBI, and 12 SB in High-A. That goes with a 14.5 K% and 7.7 BB%. Get on board the Massey 🚂 before it is too late.
@RoyalsFarm
#TogetherRoyal
Chase Burns had another 10+ K outing for
@WakeBaseball
. K'd 13 in 7 IP. 109 pitches.
Best pitch was his SL (87-91). Went to it often, especially late in the game. One word to describe it… Diabolical.
Here he is punching out Griff O'Ferrall on 3 pitches looking. All sliders.
Intrigued by the Evan Sisk acquisition for the Kansas City Royals.
@twinsdaily
had him as the 2022 Minor League Relief POTY. Extremely deceptive delivery. Lots of movement on his FB w/ a couple of good secondaries. Command is improving.
🎥:
@DrakeMann4
It’s May 1st…
19-13 Record
+50 Run Differential
This is what happens you when you spend money on quality players in the offseason and instill confidence in the young players you have on your team.
#Royals
Personal News: I've decided to leave Prospects Live. It was a tough decision, as everyone at this organization is top-notch. I am so grateful for my time there, the people I got to work with, and the opportunity they gave Caleb and me to build and grow Beyond Baseball.
Maikel Garcia is a candidate to be added to the
@Royals
40-man roster. He might be my favorite MI prospect they have outside of Bobby Witt, Jr. 35 steals, 62 walks with a 15.2% K rate and 12.9% BB rate in 2021. 129 wRC+ in Low-A and 108 in High-A.
The Royals arms in the minor leagues often get overlooked. Baseball America has their farm system statcast pitching rankings having them come in at
#10
.
Carter Jensen is going to be a quick riser in my
#Royals
top 50 prospects! It is looks like the Royals got a steal in the 3rd round of the 2021 MLB draft!
#TogetherRoyal
"The Royals absolutely love Teel and have spent an inordinate amount of time taking in his games toward the end of the year"
Great mock here by Joe Doyle. Has Kyle Teel going to the Royals at
#8
. If he makes it...
💎Mock Draft 4.0 is here💎
- 39 picks
- Under-slot deals
- Over-slot pulldowns
- Making sense of bonus pools
- A shake-up in the Top 10
Enjoy!
Just 6 days to go.
Fell asleep before pick number 66 for the
#Royals
. REALLY like Carson Roccaforte (OF). He can play all three outfield positions w/ ease & has absurd batted ball data. Plus speed. He needs to quiet some things with his swing, but good player for Drew Saylor and co. to work with.
WE ARE BACK! Really excited to announce the launch of our new baseball podcast with
@JustBB_Media
, “Behind the Seams.”
Expect interviews with some of the biggest names in the MLB and MiLB. We will continue to feature the human side stories of players and will also have a new and
Get ready to see a lot of these from Jordan Lyles in Kansas City! Soon it to win it. He’s going to eat a good chunk of innings and spin a lot of curveballs.
If you’re all for the Austin Charles hype, you’ll enjoy tomorrow’s Behind the Seams Prospects Corner.
@RoyalReportKev
and I talk some Austin Charles!
#Royals
#Royals
Nick Loftin has been on one lately. He went 3 for 3 with 2 walks and a RBI today. In the month of September, he’s slashing .455/.568/.545 with 9 BB and 4 SB. The kid just hits and has a 15.4% K rate 👀. His ability to play all over the field is so clutch.
#TogetherRoyal
Good day at the plate yesterday for
#Royals
2023 first rounder Blake Mitchell in the ACL. 2-for-4, R, RBI, BB. The power has still yet to show, but it is coming. Only 6 games in. He's sporting a .478 OBP and is showing elite plate discipline early. Ceiling is high for the kid.
My first article with
@ProspectsLive
is now out. I am very excited to share this piece with you all.
I touch on stories about the mental health crisis in baseball, players trying to find their identity outside of baseball, and tales of triumph. ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Let’s gooo Ryan O’Hearn. Man I love seeing this guy find some success. It may have not worked out in Kansas City, but couldn’t be happier for the guy. Hope there is more to come.
Sneak preview to my building
#TogetherRoyal
Top 50 Prospects list:
1. Bobby Witt, Jr. - SS
2. MJ Melendez - C
3. Nick Pratto - 1B
4. Vinnie Pasquantino - 1B
5. Asa Lacy - SP
Who’s your top five
#Royals
prospects?! Comment below! ⬇️
Happy Thursday! For the 3rd edition of my favorite under-the-radar prospects, we are looking at the
@Indians
:
P. Battenfield, SP 📈📈📈
X.Curry, SP 📈📈
L. Allen, SP 📈
J. Tena, SS 🔥🔥🔥
A. Martinez, SS 🎯🎯
I. Greene, OF 👀👀👀
M. Pries, OF 👀👀
#OurCLE
@indiansPro
Working on my Kansas City
#Royals
midseason top 30 prospects. Top 10:
1. F. Mozzicato, LHP
2. C.Wallace, 3B
3. G. Cross, OF
4. M. Garcia, 3B/SS (off the list soon)
5. B. Kudrna, RHP
6. N. Loftin, INF/OF
7. N. Cameron, LHP
8. T. Gentry, OF
9. A. Marsh, RHP
10. A.Veneziano, LHP
With the start of a new phase in life and the upcoming New Year, seems like a good but unfortunate time to announce that I’ll be bringing Behind the Seams to an end. There will be one final episode!
Can’t thank you all enough for your support! It was a fun ride.
More here ⤵️
Another day and another Ryan Lasko nuke and bat drop. This time off of Maryland’s Nigel Belgrave. He’s 4-for-4 with a 2B, HR, and 3 RBI on the day so far.
Lasko comes in at
#76
on our Top 400 2023 MLB Draft Prospects List. Good chance he’s on the rise 👀
Kansas City Royals pitching prospect Will Klein (
@willklein0
) had an incredible start to his career. Then he ended up facing tons of adversity.
Will joins me on Behind the Seams as we discuss how a mindset shift helped him overcome that adversity and pitch himself all the way
It's quite absurd how good Seth Lugo has been. He's been worth every penny and more.
7 IP, 5 H, ER, 0 BB, and a career-high 10 K
98 Pitches
Lowers his season ERA to 1.69. Insane.
Cleveland’s infield prospect Richard Palacios is off to a hot start in the Arizona Fall League slashing .400/.571/.700 with 3 2B, 4 RBI and a 1.271 OPS. He had a great year between AA and AAA during the regular season and he’s definitely a name to keep your 👀 on 📈📈📈.
#OurCLE
Kicking off another series of under-the-radar Kansas City Royals prospects you need to watch for
@RoyalsFarm
. Had a great group last year. Here’s who I’ll have for 2022 👀:
- Logan Porter, C
- Noah Cameron, LHP
- Diego Hernandez , OF
- Maikel Garcia, SS
- Shane Panzini, RHP
Who's ready for another intriguing DSL bat?
#Royals
outfield prospect Junior Marin is slashing.383/.480/.667 with a 1.147 OPS and 5 HR, 24 RBI, 16 BB, and 5 SB in 29 games. The 17 yo has a 16.7% K and BB rate!!! Comes in at 6'2, 220 lbs. Worth keeping your 👀 on.
#TogetherRoyal
Seeing a lot of “look at Carlos Hernandez’s ERA last year! It was over 7. He can’t be good.”
He also wasn’t topping out at 102mph, sitting 98-99, and having carry/ride up in the zone last year like he is in the WBC this year. He was topping out at 96-97 and the FB was flat.
Cincinnati Reds fans, I think you’re going to love your 6th round pick Ethan O’Donnell. Great all around player. Makes a ton of hard contact. Good runner. Can likely stick in CF. Easily one of the most impressive players I saw live this year.
#ATOBTTR
“Be the best version of myself. That’s my main goal.”
Kansas City
#Royals
are calling up Samad Taylor! Incredible human and player with an awesome perspective on the game. Excited to see what he can do.
Brennon McNair is my favorite late round steal by the Kansas City Royals in the 2021 draft (11th Round). The upside is high. Very athletic SS with a simple swing approach that generates solid pop. Hit the ground running early in the ACL. Keep an 👀 on him!
Today’s Kansas City Royals highlight video of the day is lefty Tim Collins finishing up game 6 of the 2014 World Series against the San Francisco Giants ⤵️
I was trying to think of words to describe how incredible yesterday was, but it’s hard to summarize. One of the most beautiful and joyful days of my entire life!
I love you so much
@ciarabee_123
Looking for an update on the
@Royals
2021 draft picks? I highlight a few in a new article for
@RoyalsFarm
:
- Frank Mozzicato, LHP
- Ben Kudrna, RHP
- Carter Jensen, C
- Peyton Wilson, 2B
- Shane Panzini, RHP
- Eric Cerantola, RHP
And many more!
This Royals team isn’t perfect, nor should that be the expectation. They won 56 games last year.
Still a long season but they’re 26.8% of the way to last year’s win total already.
Wild what spending money and instilling confidence in your clubhouse can do for a team.
Great piece by
@TylerJennings24
at
@ProspectsLive
. Has the Kansas City
#Royals
getting one of the best team hauls on day 1 of the 2023 MLB Draft.
"Yes, you can scream at me all you want about the prep catching demographic and how risky it is, but at the end of the day, Mitchell
🚨 JOSE SALAS WATCH 🚨 Went 2 for 3 with an SB today. He's hitting .404 with an HR, 8 RBIs, and 5 SBs. I am quickly falling in love with Salas as a prospect. The
#Marlins
#17
prospect has very advanced tools with 20-25 HR power potential. 🎯 him now!
#JuntosMiami
#Prospects
It was a long journey to find my identity and truly find the things that give me purpose.
In my latest article for
@ProspectsLive
, I asked questions to
@TysonRoss
and
@butt_ty
about their journey trying to find their identity outside of baseball.
Update on one of the top international arms the
#Royals
took in last years international class. Marwys Jorge has gone 21.2 IP with 21 K and a 2.08 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in the DSL. The 17-year-old has immense upside. One to keep your eye in for sure.
Excited to announce I have joined
@ProspectsLive
! I can’t thank the entire team enough for the opportunity!.
In my time writing, my passion for sharing stories of the humans behind the numbers grew. Along with prospect analysis, I’ll be writing about the human side of baseball.
🎉 We are thrilled to announce some new faces joining the Prospects Live family 🎉
@The__Arrival
,
@PARSlist
and
@JaredCP1
are going to be contributing to our site in various capacities.
Did a five-part series last year for
@RoyalsFarm
on under-the-radar prospects with the Kansas City Royals...
- Vinnie Pasquantino, 1B
- Drew Parrish, LHP
- Michael Massey, 2B
- Tucker Bradley, OF
- Will Klein, RHP
Here's how they're doing now
#TogetherRoyal
⤵️
Reflecting on the 2020 MLB Draft for the
@Royals
. Feel like it always gets overlooked:
1: A. Lacy - LHP
CB: N. Loftin - IF
2: B. Hernandez - RHP
3: T. Gentry - OF
4: C. Chamberlain - LHP
5: W. Klein - RHP
UFA: T. Bradley - OF
UFA: K. Emshoff - C
UFA: A. Block - LHP
@RoyalsFarm
I initially understood giving Garrett Hampson a chance and optioning Nick Loftin to AAA, but we are officially at the point where we can end the Hampson experiment.
He's at a 40.5 K%. Always have pulled for him in his career, but there just isn't a fit for him on this roster.