The Royals have lost 23-year old righty swinging 2B/SS Jeff Bianchi for the 2010 season as he needs Tommy John Surgery. Bianchi is the Royals’ #11 prospect coming into this season according to Baseball America. Bianchi played in 128 games in A+AA ball last season and he was 151 of 490 (.308 avg, .792 OPS) with 74 runs scored, 9 homers, 70 RBIs and 22 stolen bases. This will likely hurt Bianchi’s ascension through the minors but he is still a good prospect.

21-year old righty swinging 3B Mike Moustakas was the Royals’ #1 rated prospect heading into this season according to Baseball America. He played in 129 games in A-ball this year and he was 123 for 491 (.251 avg, .719 OPS) with 66 runs scored, 16 homers, 86 RBIs and 9 stolen bases. The Royals will likely take it slowly with Moustakas as they have Alex Gordon at 3B right now.

The Royals have recalled 36-year old righty reliever Yasuhiko Yabuta from the minors to replace Ron Mahay in the bullpen. Yabuta has pitched in 31 games (0 starts) for the Royals last season and he was 1-3 with a 4.78 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP. Yabuta was pitching in AAA when he was recalled. In AAA-ball this season, Yabuta pitched in 26 games (0 starts) in which he was 2-1 with a 3.55 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. Yabuta whiffed 53 batters in the minors this season in 45 2/3 innings while allowing only 39 hits which shows that he still might have good stuff.

24-year old righty swinging outfielder was not one of the top 30 prospects in the Royals’ system when the season started according to Baseball America. But, he is having a fine season and could get a chance with the Royals at some point this season if he keeps up the good work. Parraz has played in 73 games in Rookie + AA + AAA ball this season and he is 92 for 260 (.354 avg, .995 OPS) with 40 runs scored, 8 homers and 49 RBIs. With numbers like those you have to wonder why the Royals are giving playing time to Mitch Maier over this guy.

19-year old lefty starting pitcher Danny Duffy is showing this season why he was the #6 prospect in the Royals’ organization coming into this season according to Baseball America. Duffy has started in 10 games in A-Ball this season and he is 4-4 with a 3.17 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP. Duffy has also whiffed 63 batters while only walking 10 in 48.1 innings which shows how good his stuff is and that he has great control. Look for the Royals to take it slow with him.