2k17: Raul Mondesi Jr

[joncarlos]

The big questions are, can he hit enough to justify the Royals playing him, and then, can he hit enough to justify fantasy owners sticking him in their lineups for cheap speed?

2016 (majors): 149 PA, 185/231/281, 2 HR, 9 SB, 16 R, 13 RBI, 4% BB, 32.2% K.

He posted a 1.23 G/F and a .271 BABIP. You definitely don't want your speed guy a) striking out 32% of the time and b) posting a .271 BABIP

2016 (AAA): 61 PA, 304/328/536, 1 HR, 5 SB, 3.3% BB, 31.1% K, .444 BABIP

Sooo.. small sample size, but that's not super encouraging either.

2016 (AA): 131 PA, 259/331/448, 5 HR, 17 SB, 9.9% BB, 22.9% K, .305 BABIP

That's a little better. Of course, it was his second go-round at Double-A, having had 338 PA of 243/279/372 in 2015.

Steamer has him projected for 276 PA, 231/271/359 with 5 HR and 15 SB this year. I'm wondering if that's too optimistic? He has skills but he's so young and inexperienced.

[Sour Masher]

Mondesi's scouting reports have always exceeded his production. I have a bias against such players, but clearly KC likes him and wants to give him a shot. Frankly, I continue to be surprised by how much they have rushed him. One possible explanation for why his production has never matched the scouting is how aggressive they have been in promoting him. I think they'd be wise to let him season in AAA all year, but given how they have rushed him so far, I think it is likely he will get 250+ PAs, and if he gets that, I think Steamers line is possible. His speed is legit.

[onejayhawk]

Are we any closer to an answer on the 2B experiment? His numbers this spring make a starting job plausible on a rebuilding team.

J