K-pop?
Or maybe it is here?
Or, a deep dive on some otherwise unknown Royals prospects. Don’t bet the farm, but remember them in the deepest of keeper leagues.
The Royals named two DSL players of the year in 2018, one for each squad. They were both 2017 $300K signings. The Royals were in the 2nd and final year of the international ‘penalty box’ in 2017 for breaking the cap to sign Seuly Matias and Jeison Guzman in 2015. They are:
Neyfi Marinez, OF
Age: 18, DOB: 9/7/2000
Signed as a lefty bat-first corner OF, he held his own during his first circuit of the DSL. He led his team in SLG and triples as a 17 year-old.
Enrique Valdez, SS
Age: 17, DOB: 5/15/2001
Signed as a glove-first SS, he also impressively held his own with his bat on the first tour of the DSL. He added 14 SB in only 192 AB.
Last year’s Royals DSL Player of the Year repeated this year as the AZL player of the year. Maybe it is time to pay attention. He was DSL Royals 2 Player of the Month back in June, written up by Ian Kraft (@Krafty_3) on Royal Rundown:
Valdez garners the first monthly award of his career after finishing June with a .266/.326/.329 slash line. Valdez notched 21 hits, five RBI, 10 runs scored and four stolen bases. He also put together eight multi-hit efforts, including a season-best three hits on June 25 vs. the DSL Tigers 2.
Rubendy Jaquez, 3B
Age: 20, DOB: 2/13/1999
Jaquez has toured around the diamond, putting time in all around the dirt at 3B, SS, 2B, and 1B. In 2018 he put in 42 games at 3B, but regardless he has hit where ever he stood with his glove. He ended the year with 9 games for Idaho Falls in the Pioneer League. Across both levels he slashed .316/.404/.449, adding 18 SB in 25 attempts.
#49 Rubendy Jaquez pic.twitter.com/yBuQbft9Lg
— Idaho Falls Chukars (@ifchukars) December 3, 2018
One prospect name to watch in the lower-minors is Rubendy Jaquez. Has played all four infield positions, while slashing .303/.389/.448 in 46 games for the AZL Royals as a 19 yo. In Idaho Falls to end the season, where he’s hit .417/.500/.500 in four games.
— Royals Farm Report (@RoyalsFarm) September 1, 2018
Jose Marquez, 2B
Age: 21, DOB: 10/7/1997
Repeating the Appy League worked out fine for Marquez, who was named the Burlington Player of the Year by the Royals. His .301/.355/.498 slash line was good for a 121 wRC+. Look for him to continue the offensive breakout in Lexington next year. He signed for $450K back in the 2014 signing period, when Ricky Aracena was the headliner.
Jose Marquez has been on fire for the Royals the last two games. 7-9 9 R, HR, 2B, BB
— Clint Scoles (@ClintScoles) August 23, 2018
KC Shankland lives in Maple Valley, Washington. His Royals fandom runs from the Royals/Yankees blood feud of the ‘70s to Hosmer’s mad dash home.
‘People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. Obsess over prospects.’
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