Minor League Update - Wilmington Blue Rocks

Through the season’s first 18 games, Wilmington is 7-11, four games behind first place Potomac (WSH) in the Carolina League’s Northern Division. The club has dropped four in a row.

Wilmington’s offense has struggled thus far hitting just .217/.316/.311 with only three long balls, fewest in the league (as is the Royals style). That number is half the next closest club.

The Blue Rocks have been good on the base paths however, stealing 21 bases, which ranks second in the eight-team league. In fact, the club is a staggering 21-for-21 in stolen base attempts!

While the team’s 3.67 ERA falls in the middle of the pack, the club has fanned a league-high 162 batters in 147 innings this season. Defensively, the club has allowed only four unearned runs, fewest in the league.

Individual Hitting

MiLB.com

Who’s Hot:

Everyone’s favorite Blue Rock, Raul A. Mondesi has hit safely in 11 of his last 13 games. The 18-year old shortstop is hitting .283/.358/.367 in 66 plate appearances as the Wilmington leadoff hitter.

Zane Evans is tied for second in the league with seven doubles, six of which game in his first four ballgames. In 11 games, the Georgia native is hitting .400/.467/.575 and has eight RBI. The catcher/DH is 10-for-22 against right-handed pitching with a 1.227 OPS in that small sample.

Middle infielder Jack Lopez leads the club with nine RBI, and is tied with Terrance Gore with a team-high five stolen bases. The 21-year old is currently the league’s hardest regular to strike out. Lopez strikes out every 16 at bats, on average, more than five at bats more than the closest player.

Who’s Not:

Bubba Starling has struck out 24 times this year, third most in the league. In fact, the outfielder has recorded at least one strikeout in all but one game this season (and 0-for-3 night on April 9). The one-time top prospect is hitting just .133/.284/.250 through 17 games, but has improved quite a bit from his low point of .098/.260/.220 a week ago. He has accounted for one-third of the club’s homers, however.

2013 first rounder Hunter Dozier is on a four game hitting streak, but has spent a large portion of April below the Mendoza Line. The third baseman currently stands at .203/.316/.266 in 72 plate appearances hitting third in the order for Wilmington.

Individual Pitching

Who’s Hot:

Christian Binford ranks ninth in the Carolina League among qualified starters with a 2.20 ERA in 16.1 innings. The right-hander did not allow an earned run in his first 12 innings. He has struck out 19 hitters (29.7%) and allowed just three walks (4.7%) this season. Opponents are hitting .197 against Binford, and he has allowed a total of 15 baserunners - 8.27 per nine innings – which ranks third in the league.

Lefty starter Jonathan Dziedzic is tied for the league lead with three wins, and owns a 1.69 ERA in 16 innings across three appearances. He has struck out 29.7% of the hitters he has faced this year. Lefties are 1-for-12 against Dziedzic thus far.

In the bullpen, Zeb Sneed has held opponents to a 2-for-29 start this season, good for a .069 batting average allowed. He also has yet to allow a run or a walk in 9.1 innings.

Fellow reliever Glenn Sparkman has struck out 15 of the 37 batters he has faced this season (40.5%) in ten innings across five outings.

Who’s In Between:

The club’s top pitching prospect, Miguel Almonte, ranks third in the league with 21 strikeouts, a round 25% of the batters he has faced. If that rate holds, it would be the best of Almonte’s professional career. He has held opponents to a .191 batting average. In four starts, the 21-year old is 2-0 with a 5.23. with two outstanding starts and two poor ones.

Relievers Matthew Murray and Ali Williams have ERAs of 1.35 and 1.17, respectively, in a combined 21 innings.

Who’s Not:

Following a very rough third start, in which he allowed seven earned runs in just two innings at Myrtle Beach (TEX), big-time prospect Sean Manaea sits with an 8.71 ERA. Opponents are now hitting .318 against the lefty.

Daniel Stumpf is 0-3, and his three losses are tied for the most in the league.

Wilmington Blue Rocks 2014 Preview

Defense

LF - Terrance Gore*

CF - Bubba Starling*

RF - Daniel Rockett*

3B - Hunter Dozier*

SS - Raul A. Mondesi*

2B - Jack Lopez

1B - Cody Stubbs*

C - Zane Evans*

Rotation

Miguel Almonte*

Christian Binford*

Sean Manaea*

Daniel Stumpf*

Jonathon Dziedzic*

Bench

C - Cam Gallagher*, C - Beau Maggi*, 1B - Mark Donato*, IF - Kenny Diekroeger, OF - Tyler Chism,      OF - Johermyn Chavez*

Bullpen

Mark Peterson, Kyle Bartsch*, John Walter*, Glenn Sparkman*, Matt Murray*, Yender Caramo*,  Aroni Nina*, Zeb Sneed*, Ali Williams

Notes

• A prospect-heavy team, the Blue Rocks will be the affiliate to watch every day to begin the 2014 season.  Not only will this team be fun to watch, the roster is practically a fresh start for the Frawley Stadium faithful in Wilmington, Delaware.
• Of the 28 players dawning the Blue Rocks uniform, 23 of them will be doing so for the very first time.
• The rotation will consist of 5 brand new starters, including 3 in the Royals' Top 10 prospects according to Baseball America.  Miguel Almonte, ranked #5, joins the Blue Rocks after a stellar 2013 campaign with Lexington.  From various scouts/media, Almonte is considered far more advanced than most of the pitchers in the organization.  He showcases excellent command and possesses secondary pitches, including the best changeup in the Royals system, that assistant GM J.J. Picollo describes as "more advanced than Yordano Ventura at this stage".  Almonte could have made the jump to Double-A with no issues, but the Royals decided to give him some innings in the Carolina League before heading to Springdale, Arkansas.
• Sean Manaea, ranked #6, will make his professional debut with Wilmington after being selected in the Supplemental Round of the 2013 MLB Draft.  Widely considered as one of the top players to go off the board early, some teams were worried about his health as he recovered from a torn labrum in his hip over the off-season, but good fortune was on the Royals side as they were able to take not only Manaea, but Hunter Dozier, as well.  Needless to say, the Royals drafted well.  For a detailed report on the 22 year old, here are some notes from Baseball Prospectus writer Jason Parks.
• If having Almonte and Manaea in the rotation wasn't good enough, Christian Binford, ranked #10, will also join Wilmington for his 3rd professional season.  The 21 year old from Hagerstown, Maryland stands at 6 foot 6 inches, which helps give him a great downward plane to the plate and throws at a 3/4 arm slot.  Although his fastball sits in the very low 90's, there's time for his body to fill out more and possibly gain a little more velocity on his fastball.  Binford is ranked by Baseball America as having the best control in the system for the '14 season, which has been backed up by astounding BB/9 rates in his first 2 seasons (0.90 and 1.67, respectively).  His height, along with the movement of his pitches allow him to keep batted balls on the ground (49.2% last season), will only be to his advantage this year in the Carolina League.  
• The left side of the infield looks down right nasty.  Those who visit Frawley Stadium better enjoy it while they're around.  Manning 3B and SS for the Blue Rocks will be Hunter Dozier (B.A. #7 ranking) and Raul A. Mondesi (B.A. #4 ranking).  In 313 plate appearances split between Idaho Falls and Lexington stints, Dozier already has a career line of .312/.403/.502 and is considered to have the best contact and strike-zone discipline in the system.  The 22 year old will show off an excellent arm and quick first step at third base, but is said to have enough athleticism to make a move to a corner OF spot, if the move is necessary.  Depending on Moustakas in Kansas City...who knows.  
• Dozier's neighbor on the diamond, Mondesi, will open 2014 as the youngest player in the Carolina League at just 18 years old.  Raul, the son of former Major League OF Raul Mondesi, Sr., bats from both sides of the plate and is considered to have better plate appearances as a lefty.  After hitting .261 with 7 HR and 47 RBI, the offensive output will only get better down the road, as he's facing pitchers 4-6 years older than himself.  At shortstop, Mondesi has an outstanding glove with exceptional range thanks to his speed, along with a strong arm.  Nathan Stoltz did a nice piece on Mondesi last November that offers a more in-depth evaluation of the future Royal.
• Two of the organization's top catching prospects will both be in Wilmington for 2014.  Cam Gallagher (B.A. #23 ranking) and Zane Evans (B.A. #24 ranking) will split time behind the plate as they enter their 4th and 2nd seasons, respectively.  

Prospect Countdown: #4 Hunter Dozier

4. Hunter Dozier Third Baseman

milb.com

Age: 22
Position: 3B
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 220
B/T: R/R
Acquired: Drafted in the 1st Round of the 2013 Amateur Draft
From: Denton, TX

Landon Adams (5): Many scoffed when Hunter Dozier's name was called 8th overall on June 8, 2013. It didn't take long for the well informed to put two and two together and realize that the Royals were making a play for Sean Manaea at 34 overall. This strategy played out beautifully and looks even better after a strong first year campaign from Dozier and excellent reports on Manaea this spring.

Baseball America considered Dozier to be a second round talent entering draft day last season. Post draft reports though suggest that this ranking was much too low for the Stephen F. Austin product. It is said that had Dozier lasted to 21 overall, he would not have gotten past Rays. Also, rumored was that the Arizona Diamondbacks were considering him with the 15 overall selection. Either way it appears that the Royals were able to nab two high end talents in last season's amateur draft. 

Upon Dozier's selection, he became the highest drafted athlete ever out of the Southland Conference. This is in large part due to a junior campaign which saw him hit .396/.482/.755 with 17 home runs in 212 at bats. According to College Splits, surprisingly it is estimated that Dozier faced more difficult competition than the average Division I baseball player. When the website adjusts for park and schedule, Dozier's line becomes .434/.516/.816. However you slice it, Dozier was awesome last season for the Lumberjacks.

A shortstop in college, Dozier will wind up on a corner for Kansas City. He has an excellent arm and a quick enough first step to be a good fit at third base. However, if Moustakas can fill the position, Dozier's athleticism should allow him to handle an outfield corner. Most view him as a replacement for the disappointing Mike Moustakas, however, I'll predict that he winds up as Alex Gordon's eventual replacement in 2016 or 2017. 

Paden Bennett (4): I could have easily ranked Dozier as my number 1 prospect, but I think this is where I really want him.  Hunter Dozier is a well polished hitter who knows the strike zone.  In 258 at bats in Idaho Falls last season he hit .303/.403/.509 with 7 homers and more walks (35) than strikeouts (32).  Dozier moved up to Lexington late last season and proved he wasn't over matched.  

Dozier should start in Wilmingtonand hit in the heart of the order where I look for him to continue to use his great approach at the plate and continue to move up level by level.  Dozier isn't just a dead pull hitter, he is extremely well balanced and has the ability to hit the ball to the opposite field with some pop.  I expect Dozier to prove he is too good for Wilmington and move up to Springdale possibly midseason.

Joe Cox (5):  Hunter Dozier was considered to be an intentional overdraft when taken 8^th in the 2014 Amateur draft.  Many in the blogosphere considered this strategy a success when the Royals were able to draft and sign Sean Manaea later in the draft.  Because of this Dozier was somewhat overlooked as a guy who seemed to be drafted more on signability than anything else, though many projected Dozier as a first round talent. 

Dozier, who turned 22 last August, was sent to the Pioneer League and proceeded to put up a very impressive overall offensive line.  In 258 PA, Dozier had more walks (35) than strike outs (32) and slashed an impressive .303/.403/.509.  Dozier played short stop before being drafted but the Royals view him as a third baseman moving forward, a position he should be able to handle.  Dozier had a short stint in A ball last year and that should be the level he starts at to start the year.  Because of his high draft slot and age, Dozier should move quickly through the system and could be a solution at third in the next year or two if Moustakas can’t put it together.

Dan Ware (4):  Voted as the Top Pioneer League Prospect after the 2013 season, Dozier made an immediate impact in the Idaho Falls lineup, hitting .303/.403/.509 with 7 HR and 43 RBI in only 54 games.  His impressive debut earned himself a promotion to an already prospect-filled Lexington lineup.  He managed to get 59 plate appearances, hitting .327/.373/.436 while collecting 9 more RBI.  

With his first professional season in the books, Dozier ended up with more walks than strikeouts (39:38) and 30 doubles, which is definitely nice to see especially in a rookie season.  Rightfully so, Baseball America gave him the honors of being the 'Best Hitter' and 'Best Strike-Zone Discipline' for the 2014 campaign.  Dozier has an athletic build at 6'4" 220 lbs and exceptional strength.  He is known for his quick hands at the plate and ability to drive the ball to the opposite field.  

Playing SS in college, he only played 9 games at the same position for Idaho Falls before the move to third base was put into action.  Dozier easily has the glove to stay at shortstop, but with his frame, lack of quickness, and the depth at the position in the system, the move to third was inevitable.  The position switch shouldn't be a problem long-term considering he has average speed and during his college days, threw 91-93 mph in relief outings.  Don't be surprised to see Dozier put on both Lexington and Wilmington uniforms in 2014.

Nicholas Ian Allen (--): It is pretty rare for an organization to execute a first round draft strategy as perfectly as the Royals did in selecting Dozier 8th overall and managing to sign him well below slot value, before selecting Sean Manaea with their following pick. While some questioned the move to select Dozier as high as they did, the Royals look like geniuses so far.

The former shortstop was impressive in his first professional season, earning a two-week promotion in August before returning to Idaho Falls to lead the team to the Pioneer League championship. Simply, the 22-year old put together a great season that included a total of 37 extra-base hits and 52 RBI in 69 regular season professional games, and had a fairly smooth transition to third base. Despite making 11 errors, he has good range and a good arm, and should be an above-average fielder in the long run.

Dozier appeared in only one big league Spring Training game this March, but with another solid season in 2014, should gain an invite to the Major League squad in 2015, with a real shot to make his Kansas City debut later in the year. 

Total Points: 106

The Uber Top 100

On Wednesday, Jonathan Mayo of MLB Pro Blog did us all the favor of compiling the various prospect rankings into one list. It's a good opportunity to gauge a broader view than looking at individual lists. You can look at the whole list here. Here's where the Royals broke in:

• 22 - Kyle Zimmer
• 29 - Yordano Ventura
• 32 - Raul Adalberto Mondesi
• 83 - Miguel Almonte
• 105 - Jorge Bonifacio
• 115 - Sean Manaea
• 128 - Hunter Dozier

Overall, a pretty good job by the Royals to net seven players on the list. Just for fun let's take a quick look at how the rest of the American League Central fared:

Chicago White Sox:

• 66 - Erik Johnson
• 75 - Matt Davidson
• 122 - Marcus Semein
• 131 - Tim Anderson

Cleveland Indians:

• 9 - Francisco Lindor
• 40 - Clint Frazier
• 102 - Trevor Bauer

Detroit Tigers:

• 27 - Nick Castellanos
• 116 - Devon Travis
• 129 - Robbie Ray

Minnesota Twins:

• 1 - Byron Buxton
• 7 - Miguel Sano
• 35 - Alex Meyer
• 49 - Kohl Stewart
• 71 - Eddie Rosario
• 103 - J.O. Berrios
• 104 - Josmil Pinto

Obviously, the Twins system is very strong right now, especially with two in the top 10. It's also good to see that outside of Castellanos, there isn't much in the pipeline for Detroit. Also of note, is Jake Odorizzi slotting in at 78. 

The Royals system isn't what it was a couple of years ago, but when you consider the youth of the Major League roster and the quantity of guys included in this list, it's good to know that the organization has done a sound job in keeping the pipeline stocked with high upside talent. 

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