News:The Kansas City Star reports Royals GM Dayton Moore said OF prospect Bubba Starling, who was shut down in October after straining his left quadriceps muscle, is healthy and ready to enter his first full pro season. Starling took part in the Royals' minor-league minicamp in January. “We don’t have any concerns,” Moore said. “He’s taking part in workouts down there, and everybody said that he looks really good.”
Analysis: Starling is the two-sport star that the Royals convinced to forgo a college football career at Nebraska to try his hand at baseball. The Royals drafted Starling in the first round in 2011 and then handed him a franchise-record $7.5 million signing bonus, so K.C. already has a lot invested in this kid. The scouts feel Starling has the potential to hit for power and average down the road. He has a strong arm, and his speed will be an asset both in the field and on the base paths. Starling has a huge ceiling, but we probably won't see him in the majors for a few years. He remains just a long-term Fantasy keeper.
News: Royals OF prospect Bubba Starling suffered a quad injury and may miss the remainder of the Arizona Instructional League, reports MLB.com. Starling, the fifth-overall pick in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, sustained the injury while running to first base. "It's basically an inconsequential injury," Royals director of minor league operations Scott Sharp said. "He was just running down to first and felt a little something in his quad. As we tell all our athletes, obviously, if you're feeling anything, let us know."
Analysis: Starling's injury is not being considered serious, although the Royals will likely keep him sidelined until the start of spring training in order to avoid aggravating it. The 19-year-old saw roughly 30 at-bats prior to sustaining the injury and Sharp said he was happy with the "growth" Starling showed. Starling is a right-handed power bat from the Kansas City area, who the Royals are very excited about. However, he likely will spend at least all of next season down in the minors, which will likely limit his value to keeper formats. Continue to view him as such heading into 2012.
News: Royals OF prospect Bubba Starling will play in the Arizona instructional league, reports MLB.com. Starling, who was the club's No. 1 Draft choice this year, is expected to play two or three times a week. "I watched him work out last week and he looked good," Royals assistant general manager J.J. Picollo said. "He swung the bat well and was doing just basic workouts. So, today is the first time he's going against real pitching."
Analysis: Starling has been working out at the team's camp out in Arizona over the last few weeks and will officially start playing in the league on Monday. The 18-year-old is listed at 6-4, although Picollo said he has grown to about 6-6 since he signed for a $ 7.5 million bonus back on Aug. 15. Starling is a right-handed power bat from the Kansas City area, who the Royals are very excited about. However, he likely will spend at least all of next season down in the minors, which will likely limit his value to keeper formats. Continue to view him as such heading into 2012.
