Ranking the Kansas City Royals' Top 5 Prospects

For the first time in almost thirty years, the Kansas City Royals were contending for a playoff spot deep into September in 2013.  

Unfortunately for Kansas City, their efforts came up short, falling out of the race in the final few weeks of the season.  However, one positive thing that has stayed consistent over the last decade with the Royals is their commitment to their farm system.  

After the emergence of prospects Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer, the Royals have started to reap the benefits of growing talent in the farm system.  

The good thing for Kansas City is that they are far from done with seeing the emergence of prospects to the majors.  They have an abundance of prospects, a few of who are in Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects for 2014.  

With that being said, let's take a look at the top five prospects for the Royals, ranked from fifth to first.  

5. Raul Adalberto Mondesi, SS

Mondesi made his debut in the Pioneer League when he was only 16 years old in 2012.  As expected, his average has not been an eye-popper considering his extremely young age.  

Still, Mondesi has batted .270 with 186 hits in two minor league seasons.  He has so much time to mature as a player, as he will turn only 19 in July.  

Baseball America has him ranked as the 47th best prospect in all of baseball going into 2014. 

As long as he continues to improve, he has the potential to be a top-five prospect within a few years.  

4. Jorge Bonifacio, OF

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Twenty-year-old outfielder Jorge Bonifacio made his professional debut when he was only 17, playing in the Dominican Summer League. 

In 25 games in AA last season, Bonifacio batted .301 with two home runs and 19 RBI.  He is ranked 90th in Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects for 2014.  

Baseball America states "He can’t be Wil Myers, but a healthy, productive start—and maybe a bit more loft in his swing—will put Bonifacio on track to providing a reasonable facsimile." Bonifacio may become a solid bench player for the Royals in a few years.  

That is probably the worst-case scenario for the Royals, providing he does not have a career-threatening injury.  There is a reason this guy was put in the ranks of the top 100 prospects, and he will be given his chance to prove himself as being worthy of a starting job.  

3. Hunter Dozier, 3B

Orlin Wagner/Associated Press

Ranked by Baseball America as the Royals' top hitter for average among prospects, third baseman Hunter Dozier has the potential to be a solid everyday player in the majors.  

Drafted eighth overall in the 2013 June amateur draft, Dozier is making his case for a spot in the 2014 MLB Futures Game.  

In 69 minor league games in rookie and A-ball in 2013, he batted .303 with seven home runs and 43 RBI.

He also is ranked as the top Royals prospect in plate discipline, which is supported by his 38 walks in only 69 games.  

Dozier is only 22 years old, so he has plenty of time to continue to develop and work his way through the minor leagues before he is ready for the majors.  However, we may see Dozier perform at the big league level sooner rather than later if he continues to hit for a high average.  

2. Yordano Ventura, RHP

As you see in the video, righty Yordano Ventura was the starting pitcher for the World team in the 2012 Futures Game.  He has the stuff to be an effective big league pitcher one day.

He is the second-highest ranked Royal among Baseball America's Top 100 list going into this season, and his statistics will show you why.  

In 415.1 innings pitched in the minor leagues, Ventura has a whopping 455 strikeouts.  That is good for an average of 9.9 strikeouts per nine innings.  

At only 22 years of age, he made his major league debut in 2013 with the Royals, owning a 3.52 ERA in three games started.  

Kansas City should have faith in this young man, as he could make a big impact in that rotation this season if he is called on.  

Ventura has the makings of a great starting pitcher in the majors, and we will see if he gets another chance to shine in 2014.  

1. Kyle Zimmer, RHP

Starting pitcher Kyle Zimmer was selected fifth overall in the 2012 amateur draft.  Since then, he has shown glimpses of greatness in the minor leagues.  

Coming in as the highest-ranked prospect for Kansas City, Zimmer and Ventura can potentially be a dominant one-two punch in Kansas City's rotation.  

In 148.0 career innings pitched in the minors, Zimmer owns a respectable 3.71 ERA with a dazzling 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings pitched.  

As Baseball America writes, "In flashes, Zimmer was as good as any pitching prospect in the minors last year, his first full season after being the fifth overall pick in 2012. Now he has to show more than flashes."

Look for Zimmer to have a solid spring training as he looks to make his case for a spot on the 40-man roster.  

Andy McCullough of The Kansas City Star reports that the organization hopes to see Zimmer peak in the middle of the summer to have him ready to help the Royals' attempt to make the playoffs in August and September.

This just shows the faith the organization has in Zimmer, who will likely be a future ace in the majors.