Mike Moustakas

Bowman Card of Michael Moustakas

The Royals #1 prospect at this point in time, is 19-year-old shortstop Michael Moustakas. Drafted as the #2 overall selection in the 2007 first-year player draft, Moustakas offers one of the best high school bats to come out in quite a while. There was some uncertainty to whether he would sign or not (Boras is his agent), but he ultimately signed with the Royals 11 minutes before the deadline. He had some success in his debut with the Idaho Falls Chukars, batting .293 with five extra-base hits in 41 at-bats, and made only one error at shortstop in 10 games at the position.

Pros: Obviously, the bat. Moustakas offers a great feel for hitting, and projects as a .300 or better type hitter in the major leagues. He also offers what some scouts call "light tower power", a product of hitting 52 home runs in his high school career, tops all time in the state of California. Mike has a power arm that has hit 97 MPH off the mound. The Royals brass has also commended him for his leadership abilities on the field.

Cons: Ultimately, the only real problem at this point is his range at the shortstop position. They are working with him at instructs with that, and supposedly he has made a bit of progress. The Royals are confident he can stay at shortstop, but that obviously remains to be seen.MLB Comparison: An infielder in the mold of Chase Utley.

Story is from the The Royal Tower Thursday, October 25, 2007