Looking to the future

The Royals are obviously not any threat to compete for a playoff spot this year, but they've still been a lot of fun to watch - much more so than in recent years. This is mostly due to the younger players coming up to the big leagues and watching Dayton Moore start to put his stamp on this organization from top to bottom.

So the question is, what have we learned over the past few weeks? Who are the guys we can build around? Who are the guys that have no future here? Well...here are my thoughts on a few of the players on the 2007 roster:

THE FUTURE

Alex Gordon: The new face of KC baseball. He's the real deal...the total package. He can play great defense - I saw him break a 40 plus game streak with no errors yesterday (a throw in the dirt), he can hit for average and power, he can run, he's got a great eye at the plate.....this guy has the opportunity to start a new tradition of great players here in KC, and I hope we lock him up for a long time.

Billy Butler: This kid can hit. I mean REALLY hit. Probably one of the best young hitters I've seen for a while (he's a couple years younger than Gordon). A big boy who will start hitting for a lot of power once he fully adjusts to the big league game. Should be a perennial .300 hitter who adds 30 plus homers every year. Now if he could just play some defense......

Gil Meche: Meche went out this year and proved he was a top notch starting pitcher. Put up great numbers all year and has been continually let down by the offense....for what he's done on the mound, he should easily be up to 10 wins, and probably closer to 11 or 12. Great signing by Moore.

Brian Bannister: A great trade by Moore...all we had to give up was Ambriorix Burgos - a relief pitcher with great stuff who has yet to put it all together. In return, we got a starting pitcher who really knows what he's doing out there. He's given an incredible performance this year and could wind up beating out Meche for Royals Pitcher of the Year.

Zack Greinke: He's still only 23, and was probably rushed to the big leagues a couple of seasons ago. Add to that his personal problems, and it's amazing the guy has bounced back so quickly. Has been LIGHT OUT in the bullpen, and is now getting another shot at starting. Whatever happens - he has amazing stuff and will fit in somewhere. If he's a starter - great. If not, well, every team needs a great pen to rely on, so he could turn into a great setup man or even a closer.

David DeJesus: The knock on DeJesus is that he's not "great"....he doesn't do anything "great"....but he does everything really well. He's been a leadoff man for most of his career, although I think he's more suited to be a number two hitter (or maybe hit even lower, around sixth). He's got great patience, he's a clutch hitter, plays great defense, can run a little and even hit for a little power. Very solid everyday player and one of my favorite guys to watch.

Joakim Soria: Wow. This kid is a Rule 5 pick, which means he should be a mop-up pitcher, buried in the bullpen somewhere. Instead, he's blowing hitters away, and he's been doing it all year. He's got ice water running through his veins, which is apparent as he's been the best closer on this team all year (14 saves). Looks like the real deal - could get a shot at the rotation, but I like him a lot as a lights out closer.

GUYS ON THE BUBBLE

Mark Teahen: Another favorite of mine, but if he's going to play right field, he's going to have to find that power stroke he showed in the last half of the 2006 season. He's probably not a three hitter, where the Royals have had him most of this year (that's probably Alex Gordon's role going into next season). He could hit fifth or sixth, or even second. He's got great speed (which most people don't realize) and is a very smart baserunner. Hits for decent average with a little bit of pop, but has not been a home run threat this year at all. A great athlete who made the transition from third to right field very easily - has a cannon arm as well. Pretty interchangeable with DeJesus....but DeJesus has been more consistent.

Tony Pena Jr: I like this guy a lot...maybe it's just because he's not Angel Berroa, I don't know. He's got incredible range at short, and a great arm. He's fast and he looks like he'll be a decent enough hitter to put at the bottom of the order. Pretty good guy as well, everyone seems to like him. I just have concerns with his complete lack of ability to take a pitch. That's not good. If he can learn to walk every now and again, and become a better bunter, he's a keeper. Otherwise, I think he could just be a short term solution and the Royals will be looking for another shortstop a couple of years from now.

Joey Gathright: I love what he's done this year, but this is the only year he's ever hit in the big leagues. One word describes Joey - FAST. He is the fastest guy I've seen in KC since Willie Wilson. He beats out throws at first, he steals bases, he stretches singles to doubles and scores from first base. The speed translates to defense as well - he's been the left fielder in most of his games and can run down pretty much anything. Could easily be a center fielder with his speed. One problem - is he for real? He's hitting over .350 this season and has looked good, but he's never done this before. KC will likely keep him as at least a 4th outfielder, but could work his way into the starting lineup if he continues to produce.

Jorge De La Rosa: Not much to say about him, really. Has great stuff....that stuff has never translated into him being a solid pitcher, though. May get a chance to stick around in the pen, but don't see him as a starter next season.

John Buck: Came out hitting the ball really well this season, and has shown some pop (finally), as he has 16 homers this year. However....his average has dropped all year since his April hot streak, and he now sits somewhere around .220-.225....not good. At best, it looks like he'll be a part-time catcher, splitting duty with someone better than Jason LaRue (I hope) in the future.

VETERAN LEADER

Mark Grudzielanek: KC just extended his contract through the 2008 season, and I couldn't be happier. A great leader in the clubhouse...and a young team needs some good veteran leadership on the team to help them learn and give them someone to look to when things get rough. Grudz is a hard-nosed player who plays great defense (gold glove in 2006) and can hit the ball. Great situational hitter who you can plug in to bat second, third (if you need it), or anywhere from sixth to ninth. Very happy to have him for at least one more year.

Other than that.....we'll have a lot of money freed up this off-season, so it should be interesting to watch Dayton Moore go to work again.