Royals Sign Melville

'Royals are becoming the Rays'

What?! I have NO idea what you're basing THAT on. Don't get me wrong, they've improved their farm system, but they've got a LOOOOONG way to go before they can claim anything close to what the Rays have had over the past few years.

Moustakas and Hosmer are nice position prospects, but that's all she wrote there. On the mound, they've got a little bit more, with Melville, Montgomery, and Sample from this past draft (which I do think was among the best in baseball) going a long way toward establishing a pipeline of legit pitching prospects. Not sure if Hochevar can be considered a prospect and, obviously neither Greinke nor Bannister falls under that heading, but they've got a nice front three who should only get better. Greinke, in particular has been good and stands a reasonable chance of developing into an ace, but I'm still concerned about the whole social anxiety thing. Fragile psyches and pressure situations don't tend to mix well. Dan Cortes has a lot of upside too, while Blake Wood strikes me as underrated and a possible mid-rotation type. Furthermore, there are a number of intriguing, if raw arms further down on the farm: Duffy, Pimental, Mitchell, Rosa, and Runion make for a talented crew.

That being said, the lack of position prospect depth and star power- behind this year's pair of HS'ers and Moustakas last year- prevents me from putting the Royals farm system any higher than 7th in the majors...and that might be a stretch. I don't think they can hang with the likes of Oakland, TB, Baltimore, Texas, Boston, or even Florida (which lacks much depth, but has a great first five in Maybin, Stanton, Morrison, Dominguez, and Skipworth).

Good? Yes. Rays good...not a chance (do like how aggressive they've been over the past two drafts- not just lip service- and the way they've gone after high ceiling talent...even if it's risky. THAT is how you build a long time loser into a contender...and why re: my Posey post, I like KC's draft MUCH more than the hyped crew SF brought in).

Imagine how bare the cupboard really was when Moore took over as GM and where it's at now. I think the Royals have been so bad for so long(especially in their farm system), that Royals fans are clinging to some hope.....that hope being getting some decent, high-end talent in the minors.

Finally!