Pitchers and Catchers have reported to Spring Training and injuries to Mark Teahen, Ryan Shealy, Scott Elarton, and even Mike Sweeney seem to be going just fine.
2007's first installment is an interview I conducted with Bryan Cisler and Todd Gold featuring Royals Director of Player Development JJ Picollo on our 90.7 KJHK show "Friday Night Lights" which can be heard every Friday from 6:15 to 7:00 P.M. on the aforementioned station. Enjoy:
KJHK: JJ, thanks for being here, opening it up, who would you say is your sleeper minor league pick for next year?
JJ:We have an arm right now in high A ball named Carlos Rosa, he is really coming along strong, had some arm problems in the past, but really showed flashes of being excellent in the instructional league this past fall.
KJHK: Billy Butler went on a media tour recently in KC, how do feel about him going out there and getting his face known?
JJ. This was a plan Billy and his agent approached us with, and he really wanted to get to know the Kansas City community, and when you have a player who is willing to get his face out there, it is great for the Royals, we are happy he did it.
KJHK: When do you project Luke Hochever to make his major league debut?
JJ: With all of our players we don’t put a timetable out there but let their abilities decide when they come up. But with Luke having the experience he does, you expect him to be on a faster track. We are looking forward to having him complete his first full year in the minors, but if it is not 2007, then he certainly isn’t to far behind.
KJHK: How healthy is prospect Jeff Bianchi?
JJ: He will be participating in spring training and we will be monitoring his health situation very closely. We won’t put him on the field until he is 100%. We are very excited about Jeff, he is a great offensive player but sometimes his defensive skills get overlooked. We look at him as our shortstop of the future.
KJHK: Roster stocked with outfielders in the majors and minors, how do you see all of these guys fitting in?
JJ: Yes it is one spot we have a lot of depth in, it is a good problem to have, the depth allows you a lot of flexibility, also if another team has an interest in an outfielder, we can aquire something.
KJHK: Any examples of things the Royals are doing differently than the previous administration when it comes to the development process of players?
JJ: I can only speak on our behalf, but we have made a strong commitment to scouting and player development, we now have three rookie ball teams, one of a handful of organizations with seven minor league teams. We want to be a model organization in baseball, the commitment is there from the owner all the way down through baseball operations.
KJHK: How big is it the Royals in opening the new Dominican facility?
JJ: Yes it really is a major deal, where the Royals were before, in Salcedo we were in the northern part of the country, where there is fewer players, now being in the capital, we have access to more players, being able to work more guys out on a regular basis. It opened (last) Monday and players will be impressed by what they see. Players and agents will see the kind of commitment the Royals made toward that area, and it is a very positive move for the Royals organization.
KJHK: What are the plans for RHP Zack Greinke?
JJ: We expect Zack to compete for a spot in the rotation, having him in AA he was more comfortable in that setting, but Zack is ready to have a big year. I don’t think anybody puts more pressure on Zack than Zack.
KJHK- If Greinke does not make the rotation out of spring training, is there a chance of him pitching relief?
JJ- Always a chance, but Zack is still a young age, we don’t want to put him in a role when he can be better than that, but we will leave that up to Buddy and his staff.
KJHK- It seems from reading and listening to coaches and players, you get the sense that a new wave has swept over the Royals since Dayton Moore has gotten there, do you feel that in the front office?
JJ- Oh defiantly, in some meetings last week, we had the coaching staff, the scouting staff, the international guys, everybody, and it lasted two days but it really felt like two minutes. A lot of long time employees have told me they like the direction the team is going in, and a lot of that is because of the moves Dayton has made. But usually that type of feeling is translated onto the field as well.
KJHK- Dayton has really overhauled the bullpen, how do you see some of the younger pitchers fitting in the bullpen with new veterans in there as well?
JJ- When you have vets in there, who know how to throw strikes, the yonger guys will feed off that, and we feel they will reach there potential quicker.
KJHK- Again the outfield situation, what guy do you see maybe getting left in AA?
JJ- It will be tough and we will try and get all those guys in AAA, but again it’s a good situation to have, but we will have spring training to work that out.
KJHK- What does Alex Gordon need to do during Spring training to make the team?
JJ- We want Alex to have a great spring, but sometimes spring doesn’t tell the entire story, but Buddy wants to get to know Alex in the spring. Having a good spring defiantly won’t hurt him.
KJHK- How has Billy Butler been doing on defense?
JJ- He is doing very well. When I first came here to talk to the staff about Butler’s defense, they told me he was the most improved defender from spring training to the end of the season. Billy does not want to be a DH, his goal is to be on the field and playing in the outfield, and when a guy give an effort like Billy, they usually make it. And we see Billy as our corner outfielder of the future.
KJHK- What are your thoughts on Brent Fisher, and can this guy make the next step towards Burlington?
JJ- Yeah I saw him in Idaho last year, and he really had some great pitches. He is not overpowering with his stuff. His fastball has got plenty, but he won’t be a guy throwing 95 or 96, but he can locate it very well, and hitters just ugly swings off him. Interesting guy to follow.
KJHK- Who has the best stuff in this organization?
JJ- Billy Buckner probably has the best curveball, Lumsden probably has the best repitoire of pitches, but between the two of them they would be at the top of the list.
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