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1. Brady Singer, RHP

FB SL CH Control Overall 60 60 55 55/60 70

Background: The Toronto Blue Jays have failed to come to terms with several high profile prep arms in recent years: former Vanderbilt ace Tyler Beede was taken with the 21st overall pick in the 2011; the front office selected fire-balling right-hander Phil Bickford with the 10th pick in the 2013, and – of course – there’s Singer, who the club snagged in the second round of the 2015 draft. A big, projectable, hard-throwing right-hander Singer, who turned down roughly seven figures to attend the University of Florida, has been a mainstay as a regular contributor for the Gators. Appearing in 23 games for Manager Kevin O’Sullivan during his freshman season, Singer posted a respectable 38-to-17 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 43.2 innings of work. The Florida native earned an invite to the prestigious Cape Cod League following the conclusion of the college season. And, well, Singer shined. Brightly. Making five appearances for the Falmouth Commodores, four of them coming via the start, the baby-faced Gator strung together an ace-like 20-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 22.0 innings. Singer moved into Florida’s rotation full-time the following season, 2017, and his production exploded: tossing a career best 126.0 innings, the hard-throwing righty punched out 129 versus just 32 walks and finished with a solid 3.21 ERA. Last season Singer made 17 starts, posting a dominating 114-to-22 strikeout-to-walk ratio along with a 12-3 win-loss record and a tidy 2.55 ERA. Kansas City grabbed Singer with the 18th overall pick last June and signed him to a deal worth $4.25 million. He did not make his debut.

Analysis: Per the usual, here’s what I wrote about the talented hurler heading into last year’s draft:

“Florida’s churned out some impressive pitching talent the past couple of years, including A.J. Puk, Alex Faedo, Logan Shore, Dane Dunning, Shaun Anderson, and Scott Moss. But Singer’s up there with Puk and Faedo as the best of the bunch. Consider the following:

Player Age IP K/9 BB/9 Brady Singer 21 72.0 10.1 2.1 A.J. Puk 21 73.2 12.3 4.5 Alex Faedo 21 123.2 11.4 3.1

So now let’s take a look at how his numbers this year stack up to his peers, historically speaking. Consider the following:

Between 2011 and 2017, here’s the list of SEC pitchers to post a strikeout rate between 9 K/9 and 11 K/9 with a sub 2.4-BB/9 (min. 70 IP): Dane Dunning, Kevin Gausman, Andrew Gist, Tanner Houck (twice), Blaine Knight, Aaron Nola, Clarke Schmidt, T.J. Sikkema, Chris Stratton, and Singer, who is on pace to achieve the feat twice.

With the exception of Singer, five of those pitchers – Dunning, Gausman, Houck, Nola, and Schmidt – were all first round picks. Singer has an extensive history of success against top levels of competition. His ability to miss bats and limit walks is well documented. Similarly with some other notable college arms, he tends to be a little too homer-friendly, especially in 2018. Still, though, he’s as safe [as any] pitcher in this year’s college draft class.”

Singer features an impressive three-pitch mix: an explosive plus fastball with late life, especially when he’s spotting it; a wipeout, plus-slider, and an above-average changeup. The former Gator has no problem throwing any pitch, at any time in the count. He could front a big league staff and he should certainly move through the minors quickly. Singer will likely debut in High Class A, He’s likely to spend a good portion of 2019 in Class AA as well.

Ceiling: 5.0-win player

Risk: Moderate

MLB ETA: 2020/2021

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2. Daniel Lynch, LHP

FB CB SL CH Control Overall 65 50 55 50 55 60+

Background: The University of Virginia has graduated more than a few early round pitchers over the past several seasons, including: Tommy Doyle, a second round pick by the Rockies in 2017; Connor Jones, who was also chosen in the second round by the Cardinals three years ago; Nathan Kirby and Josh Sborz went in the first and second rounds in 2015; and right-hander Nick Howard, who washed out of professional baseball quickly, was the 19th overall pick in 2015. And Lynch, a wiry southpaw out of Henrico, Virginia, joined his famous alumnus last June. An Honorable Mention All-American by Perfect Game during his prep career, Lynch accrued a solid amount of playing time for long-time Manager Brian O’Connor as a freshman: in 13 appearances, nine of them coming via the start, the then-teenage hurler posted a solid 37-to-15 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 41.0 innings of work. Lynch transitioned into the rotation full-time the following year, 2017, though he saw a dramatic downturn in production. The big lefty averaged just 5.24 strikeouts and 3.38 walks per nine innings across 14 starts; he finished the season with a 7-5 win-loss record and an unsightly 5.00 ERA, the second year in a row he reached 5.00 ERA-threshold. Lynch spent the ensuing summer starting for the Orleans Firebirds in the Cape Cod League. This time, tough, he was nearly unhittable: 30.1 IP, 25 K, 3 BB, 2.08 ERA, and a perfect 4-0 record. Last season Lynch was one of the more pleasant surprises. In 13 starts he has set career bests in strikeouts (105), strikeout rate (10.66 K/9), walk rate (2.44 BB/9), ERA (3.96), and innings pitched (88.2). Kansas City used their third of four first round picks to select the big southpaw. Lynch made stops in the Appalachian and South Atlantic Leagues during his debut, posting a 61-to-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio in only 51.1 innings of work.

Analysis: Here’s what I wrote about the former Cavalier prior to the draft last season:

“Lynch is your typical soft-tossing left-hander who generates plenty of swings-and-misses (at least this season) through pitchability. He hides the ball well enough and fires from a bit of low three-quarter arm slot, though it tends to vary from pitch to pitch. He compliments his below-average heater with a 12-6 curveball and a fading changeup. He’s more of a control guy, not a command pitcher – which might be due to the fact that he collapses his back leg. He looks a little like Charlie Leibrandt. The curveball, by far, is his best offering. In terms of production this season, consider the following:

Between 2011 and 2017, there were just four ACC pitchers to average between 10 K/9 and 11 K/9 with a walk rate between 2.25 BB/9 and 2.75 BB/9 (min. 75 IP): Tyler Holton, Jake Stinnett (a second round pick in 2014), Marcus Stroman (a late first round selection in 2012), and Cory Mazzoni (another second round pick in 2011).

Again, Lynch is very likely to hear his name called in rounds two or three because he’s left-handed with an above-average curveball. But he profiles better as a middle reliever than big league starter. Expect him to dominate the lower levels of the minors – with said curveball – before hitting some rough patches in High Class A and Class AA.”

Something happened the moment Lynch donned a uniform in Kansas City’s organization – his fastball morphed from a fringy offering to one of the better ones I saw last season. His fastball was barely scrapping 92-mph as a junior, but he was regularly sitting the mid- to upper-90s during his time with the Legends. He also showed an above-average slider, which I had not seen during his junior season as well. The curveball and changeup are both average. Lynch could prove to be one of the better value picks in the first round last season. There’s some intriguing mid-rotation caliber potential here.

Ceiling: 3.5-win player

Risk: Moderate

MLB ETA: 2020/2021

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3. Khalil Lee, CF

Hit Power SB Field Overall 50/55 50/55 50 45/50 60+

Background: The raw tools were always apparent when the Royals snagged Lee in the third round of the 2016 draft. A product of Flint High School, Lee, though, had his flaws – which were exposed early on his career. Namely: his ability to consistently make contact. That’s no longer a concern after trimming his strikeout rate from nearly 33% all the way down to 24.5% last season. The toolsy center fielder showed his potential as stat-stuffing, top-of-the-lineup bat during his first full season of action two years ago, hitting .237/.344/.430 with 24 doubles, six triples, and 17 homeruns, as well as swiping 20 bags in 38 attempts. Last season Lee split time with the organization’s High Class A and Class AA affiliates, hitting an aggregate .263/.382/.390 with 18 doubles, four triples, and six homeruns. He also swiped 16 bags in 21 attempts. Lee’s overall production, according to Weighted Runs Created Plus, topped the league average mark by 24%.

Analysis: Beyond the once-concerning punch out rate, there’s one other readily apparent flaw to Lee’s game: the lefty-swinging center fielder continues to struggle against left-handed pitching, though, like his strikeout rate, it’s trending in the right direction. Lee’s always possessed a patient eye at the plate and has no issue laying-off of balls in the dirt. He shows impressive bat speed and a willingness to take the ball the other way. Lee also has a natural loft to his swing, which should allow his average power to grow another tick as well. Defensively, he’s slightly below-average, though given his above-average or better speed it should improve with time. With respect to his production, consider the following:

Since 2006, only three 20-year-old hitters posted a 130 to 140 wRC+ mark with a double-digit walk rate and a strikeout rate below 27% in the Carolina League (min. 300 PA): Chance Sisco, Nick Weglarz, and – of course – Khalil Lee.

At maturity, Lee has the potential to turn into a Lorenzo Cain-type performer (.290/.351/.420) minus the elite level glove in center fielder. With a strong performance in Class AA next season, Lee could be positioned to be a late-season call-up by the club.

Ceiling: 3.0- to 3.5-win player

Risk: Moderate

MLB ETA: 2019/2020

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4. Jackson Kowar, RHP

FB CB CH Control Overall 65 60 70 45 60

Background: At this point it’s edging on mythical status the way the Florida Gators churn out high-end, blue chip caliber pitching prospects. Between 2015 and 2017, the school has had three pitchers selected in the first round (Alex Faedo, A.J. Puk, and Dane Dunning), a second round pick (Logan Shore), a third rounder (Shaun Anderson), and one fourth round selection (Scott Moss). Add Kowar and fellow new Royals prospect Brady Singer can be added to the fold as well both entered the Royals’ organization as first round picks last June. Built like a NBA shooting guard, the 6-foot-6, 185-pound right-hander split his freshman season between the school’s rotation and bullpen, throwing a combined 34.2 innings with 44 strikeouts and 10 free passes. The wiry Kowar moved into the Gators’ rotation full-time the following year. Across 108.0 innings, the North Carolina-native fanned just 84 and walked 44 to go along with a 12-1 win-loss record and a 4.08 ERA. Last season Kowar’s production took an important step forward: he posted an impressive 115-to-43 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 112.0 innings of work. Kansas City snagged the hard-throwing hurler with the 33rd overall pick last June and signed him to a deal worth $2,147,500. Kowar tossed 26.1 innings with the Legends during his debut, fanning 22 and walking 12 to go along with a 3.42 ERA.

Analysis: Here’s what I wrote about the North Carolina-native prior to the draft last season:

“[He’s] one of the class’s more overrated prospects. [The big righty’s] more projection than production at this point. And while he remains a viable, upper-tier collegiate starting pitcher, he’s been far from dominant. With respect to his work during his sophomore campaign, consider the following:

Between 2011 and 2017, there were seven SEC pitchers to average between 6.75 K/9 and 7.25 K/9 (min. 100 IP): Ryan Eades, Reggie McClain, Michael Roth, Kyle Simonds, Christian Trent, Alex Wood (easily the best big leaguer among the bunch), and – of course – Kowar.

But here’s the kicker: Kowar’s walk rate that season, 3.67 BB/9, was easily the worst among the group – by nearly one full walk. Doesn’t inspire a whole lot of confidence, does it? Now let’s take a look at his work thus far in 2018. Consider the following:

Between 2011 and 2017, only one SEC pitcher averaged between 8.75 K/9 and 9.25 K/9 with a walk rate between 3.25 BB/9 and 3.75 BB/9 (min. 100 IP): Jake Walters.

Again, it doesn’t offer up a whole lot of hope for the future. Kowar’s tall and wiry and has the same build/slender body frame as St. Louis right-hander Luke Weaver. He features the traditional three-pitch mix: fastball, changeup, and curveball. The two-seamer has a little bit of a comeback to it, tailing slightly to his arm side. The changeup is, by far, his best offering, showing solid dive and fade while grading out as above-average. Clean arm action. In the end, though, I just don’t see it – neither in the production nor the arsenal. At best, he’s a backend starting pitcher.”

So I clearly didn’t pull any punches during the pre-draft write-up. And after scouting several of Kowar’s debut performances, I’m not backing down from the original analysis. Kowar’s repertoire is absolutely electric. It is – without a doubt – the type of arsenal that fronts any big league rotation. Kowar’s fastball sits – easily – in the mid- to upper-90s; his curveball’s a wipeout plus-breaking ball; and his changeup is plus-plus. The problem with Kowar is that he’s too hittable – for some reason. He doesn’t generate the swings-and-misses that his arsenal would suggest. There’s a little bit of Mark Appel here. And that’s not a good thing.

Ceiling: 3.5-win player

Risk: Moderate to High

MLB ETA: 2021/2022

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5. Nick Pratto, 1B

Hit Power SB Field Overall 50/60 50 50/45 50 55+

Background: Since the club’s inaugural pick in the 1969 draft, Kansas City has selected a total of two first basemen in the first round: long-time franchise cornerstone Eric Hosmer, who signed a massive eight-year, $144 million contract last offseason, and – of course – Nick Pratto. Selected with the 14th overall pick two years ago, Pratto, a sweet-swinging prospect, turned in a respectable debut in the Arizona Summer League; he batted a league-average-ish .247/.330/.414 with 22 extra-base hits. A product of Huntington Beach High School, Pratto spent his follow-up campaign with the Lexington Legends in the South Atlantic League. Playing in 127 games, the 6-foot-1, 195-pound first baseman batted .280/.343/.443 with 33 doubles, two triples, and 14 homeruns. And the sneaky quick slugger swiped 22 bags in only 27 attempts as well. According to Weighted Runs Created Plus and Deserved Runs Created Plus, Pratto’s overall production topped the league average mark by 24% and 9%, respectively.

Analysis: A 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, Pratto’s physically maxed out, so it’s all about honing his approach at this point. The line-drive slashing first baseman shows a Will Clark-esque smooth swing that’s capable of belting out 30+ doubles and 20 homeruns at his peak. Pratto shows above-average bat speed with a willingness to drive the ball where it’s thrown. Consider the following:

Since 2006, only four 19-year-old hitters met the following criteria in the South Atlantic League (min. 300 PA): Austin Riley, a current top prospect in the Braves system, Michael Burgess, Luis Alexander Basabe, and – of course – Nick Pratto.

The margin for a batting average-driven, first base-only prospect is fairly thin. But Pratto looks like a Lonnie Chisenhall-type performer at the big league level, sans the massive platoon splits the former Tribe farmhand continues to sport.

Ceiling: 2.5- to 3.0-win player

Risk: Moderate

MLB ETA: 2021

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6. Yefri Del Rosario, RHP

FB SL CH Control Overall 55/60 55 45/50 50/55 55+

Background: Collateral damage from the Braves international free agent scandal. Del Rosario was granted free agency after a year in the Braves’ organization; he was allowed to keep his hefty $1 million bonus given to him by Atlanta. Kansas City signed the wiry right-hander for another $650,000. Del Rosario spent his sophomore professional season dealing for the Lexington Legends in the South Atlantic League. In a career best 15 starts, the 6-foot-2, 180-pound righty tossed 79.0 innings, recording an impressive 72-to-29 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He compiled a 3.19 ERA and a 4.95 DRA (Deserved Run Average). For his young career, Del Rosario is averaging 8.4 strikeouts and just 3.3 walks per nine innings with a 3.33 ERA in 116.1 innings.

Analysis: The Royals were waiting with open arms to catch Del Rosario slipping away from the Braves’ system. The young Dominican hurler offers up a tantalizing mix of production and plenty of projection. Del Rosario’s fastball sits in the low-90s with the potential to jump up into plus-territory thanks to his youth and loose arm. His slider is already an above-average pitch, adding another swing-and-miss weapon. But his changeup, clearly his third offering, is raw – at best. It’s too firm, lacking enough difference in velocity and movement. Del Rosario has a chance to be a solid #3/#4-type arm at maturity but, again, the changeup needs to develop more.

Ceiling: 2.5- to 3.0-win player

Risk: Moderate

MLB ETA: 2021

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7. M.J. Melendez, C

Hit Power SB Field Overall 40/45 50/55 35/30 55 55

Background: Fun Fact: Since 2006, no other teenage catcher has slugged more homeruns in the South Atlantic League than Melendez, who belted out 19 dingers last season. Taken in the second round, 52nd overall, two years ago, Melendez turned in a power-packed debut in the Arizona Summer League, hitting .262/.374/.417 with eight doubles, three triples, and four homeruns. Kansas City pushed the lefty-swinging catcher up to the Sally last season. And in 111 games with the Lexington Legends, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound Melendez batted .251/.322/.492 with 26 doubles, nine triples – yes, nine! – and 19 homeruns. He also swiped four bags in 10 tries as well. According to Weighted Runs Created Plus and Deserved Runs Created Plus, Melendez’s overall production topped the league average mark 28% and 17%, respectively.

Analysis: The good: above-average to plus-power potential including to the opposite field, solid patience at the plate, strong glove behind the dish, and the ability to control the opposing team’s running game. The bad: difficulty making consistent contact and a subpar hit tool. There’s actually far more to like than dislike when it comes to Melendez, a potential budding Three True Outcomes type hitter. Melendez, for some reason, tends to switch between using a high leg kick and a more modified stride at the plate, even in the same plate appearance. It’s likely best to go with one approach, rather than both. Kansas City has done wonders in trimming precious percentage points off of Khalil Lee’s punch out rate, so there’s hope that Melendez can do the same as well. Consider the following:

Since 2006, only four 19-year-old hitters have posted a 123 to 133 wRC+ with a strikeout percentage north of 27% (min. 350 PA): Austin Riley, a Braves top prospect, Khalil Lee, Nick Pratto, and – of course – M.J. Melendez.

At his peak Melendez looks like a .250/.310/.450 type stick with borderline Gold Glove defense – something along the lines of Yadier Molina’s production in 2018.

Ceiling: 2.5-win player

Risk: Moderate to High

MLB ETA: 2021/2022

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8. Seuly Matias, RF

Hit Power SB Field Overall 35/40 60/65 30 50 50

Background: Welcome to the most talked about, analyzed prospect in the entire Royals’ system last year, especially over the opening couple of months. A native of La Isabela, Dominican Republic, Matias got off to a blistering start in 2018, slugging .253/.325/.664 with 17 homeruns through his first 40 games. And the baseball world went…crazy. And then his bat caught a cold, later came down with pneumonia, and was eventually put on life support. Matias batted a pitiful .214/.286/.464 over his final 54 games. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound corner outfielder finished the year with a .231/.303/.550 triple-slash line, belting out 13 doubles, one triple, and 31 homeruns. His overall production, according to Weighted Runs Created and Deserved Runs Created Plus, topped the league average mark by 38% and 46%, respectively. For his career, Matias is sporting a .235/.309/.484 triple-slash line in 204 games.

Analysis: Let’s just jump right into it:

Between 2006 and 2014, seven 19-year-old hitters posted a wRC+ total between 135 and 145 in the South Atlantic League (min. 300 PA): Nolan Arenado, Trevor Story, Christian Yelich, Ryan McMahon, Chance Sisco, Nick Weglarz, and Caleb Gindl.

For those counting at home that’s: three bonafide big league stars (Arenado, Story, and Yelich), and two current prospects champing at the bit for playing time (McMahon and Sisco), one former top prospect (Weglarz), and a minor league vagabond (Gindl). Obviously, those are pretty strong odds when looking at the group. Continuing:

Of those aforementioned seven, two of them posted a strikeout percentage north of 24%: McMahon, Weglarz, and Gindl.

The odds decrease dramatically. And that’s beforeconsidering Matias punch out rate. It was roughly 10-percentage points higher than the aforementioned trio. One more study:

Between 2006 and 2014, here’s the list of 19-year-old hitters to fan in more than 32% of their plate appearances with a single-digit walk rate in the Sally (min. 300 PA): Cody Johnson and Lewis Brinson. Johnson washed out of baseball after a stint in Class AAA with the Yankees and Brinson, who was acquired in the Yelich trade with Miami, owns a pathetic 53 wRC+ through his first 130 big league games.

Essentially Matias is the Kevin Maas of the Royals farm system – he came out roaring like a lion with the world abuzz, but it’s’ just going to end in disappointment. Matias is a single-tool driven prospect, which happens to be the one the world loves writing about – plus-power. The bat speed is impressive, perhaps borderline elite, allowing the ball to jump off the barrel of the bat. But I just don’t think he makes enough contact in the end.

Ceiling: 2.0-win player

Risk: Moderate to High

MLB ETA: 2022

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9. Nicky Lopez, SS

Hit Power SB Field Overall 50 40 50 50 45

Background: After playing a year at a small Division II school in West Virginia I decided to transfer and chase my dream of playing for The Ohio State Buckeyes. It didn’t work out. And there’s not a day I don’t think about it – even a decade later. After the first year I was cut I would stop by the pitching coach’s office a couple times a week just to see if there was anything I could do to help the team. Hell, I would’ve thrown BP until my left arm fell off if that’s what it took to wear that uniform. Later that year, or the next, I can’t remember, the pitching coach accepted the heading coach gig at the University of Akron. The last time I spoke with him he gave me the single greatest complement I ever received as a ballplayer. I’m paraphrasing, but it went something like this: “You’re the type of player that wins championships. You’re not flashy. You’re not going past this level. But you push other guys to succeed. Why don’t you come to Akron as a preferred walk-on?” I passed. And I think about it every day. My goal was to be a Buckeye. Anyway, that’s the type of player Nicky Lopez is. He’s a winner. He’s exceeding expectations. Last season the Creighton University product hit a more-than-respectable .308/.382/.417 with 14 doubles, seven triples, and nine homeruns – to go along with 15 stolen bases – in a career best 130 games between Northwest Arkansas and Omaha.

Analysis: A do-everything-well-without-a-standout-tool type of guy. Someone you can root for to succeed. And Lopez most definitely has a shot to carve out a role on a Major League roster. Lopez does a lot of things that allows him to succeed: the lefty-swinging shortstop doesn’t show any platoon splits; he walks a decent amount of the time; he can swipe more than the occasional bag; he play solid defense at an up-the-middle-position. Kansas City won’t be contending any time soon, so the organization can afford to give him a shot if/when Adalberto Mondesi or Whit Merrifield get hurt. At worse, he’s a terrific backup option.

Ceiling: 1.5- win player

Risk: Low to Moderate

MLB ETA: 2019

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10. Kris Bubic, LHP

FB CB CH Control Overall 55 50 55 45/50 45+

Background: Coming out of Archbishop Mitty High School, home to big league notables such as Mitch Haniger and Trevor Hildenberger, the 6-foot-3, 220-pound well-built southpaw capped off a wildly successful collegiate career with the Stanford Cardinal. Bubic, a native of San Jose, California, spent his freshman season as a bit of a swing-man for the Pac 12 powerhouse, making 21 appearances, six of them coming via the start. He would throw a combined 47.0 innings that year, recording 38 strikeouts and issuing 26 walks en route to posting a 3.26 ERA. He worked in the same role for the Newport Gulls in the New England Collegiate League that summer as well, posting a solid 40-to-16 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Bubic transitioned into a full-time starting gig the following year, 2017, for former long-time Manager Mark Marquess. Bubic would throw a career best 90.0 innings, fanning 96 and walking just 31 to go along with a tidy 2.76 ERA. He would spend that summer twirling gems for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox in the premier Cape Cod League: 32.2 innings, 41 strikeouts, and just seven free passes. Last season the then-20-year-old left-hander has made 15 starts, throwing 86.0 innings, posting an impressive 101-to-32 strikeout-to-walk ratio with a 2.62 ERA. Kansas City drafted him in the back of the first round, 40th overall, and signed him to a deal worth $1,597,500. The California-native spent his debut with the Idaho Falls Chukars, posting a 53-to-19 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 38.0 innings.

Analysis: Here’s what I wrote prior to the draft last season:

“The typical soft-tossing left-hander with a solid feel for the strike zone. Bubic shows a lot of arms and legs in his deceptive delivery to the plate, which allows his below-average fastball to play up. As far as the production is concerned, let’s take a look at his work during his sophomore campaign:

Between 2011 and 2017, here’s the list of PAC 12 pitchers to post a strikeout rate between 8.5 and 10.5 K/9 and a walk rate between 2.5 and 3.5 BB/9 (min. 75 IP): Noah Bremer, James Kaprielian (twice), David Peterson, and – of course – Kris Bubic. Bremer was a sixth round pick by the Rangers last year; Kaprielian and Peterson were both mid-first round selections.

Obviously, that’s a pretty impressive collection of arms. So let’s take a look at his work thus far in 2018:

Between 2011 and 2017, here’s the list of PAC 12 pitchers average 9.75 strikeouts per nine innings (min. 60 IP): Mark Appel, Griffin Canning, David Peterson, and Jimmie Sherfy.

Appel was a twice-drafted first round pick. Canning, the long time UCLA ace, is already showing promise in Class AA less than a year after being taken in the second round by the Angels. Peterson, again, was the Mets’ first round pick last June. And Sherfy, a former Oregon reliever, was a mid-round pick by the Diamondbacks in 2013. Bubic’s swing-and-miss ability should remain no worse than average once he transitions to the minor leagues. His control/command, especially for a soft-tossing hurler, remains below average, concerning. He has the making of a #4-type starting pitcher if everything breaks well. In terms of big league comps, think Alex Wood – another soft-tossing, herky-jerky left-hander.

I underrated Bubic’s fastball prior to the draft. Once entering the pros the offering hovered in the low 90s, touching 92 mph. His curveball’s merely average and his changeup a tick better. Bubic also pitches up hill, something – undoubtedly – the Royals will work to fix in the coming season or two. He looks like a backend starting pitcher.

Ceiling: 1.5- to 2.0-win player

Risk: Moderate

MLB ETA: 2021

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Statistics provided by FanGraphs, BaseballReference, BaseballProspectus, ClayDavenport, and TheBaseballCube.