Photo Credits: Kent Sievers/Omaha World-Herald

The first season for Royals Farm Report is in the books! And let me start of by saying I couldn’t have expected anything better with the growth of Royals Farm Report in it’s inaugural season. We appreciate all that followed along.

And with the season coming to an end, I’ll take a whack at naming some awards for the Royals Minor League system, along with my co-editor Alex Duvall.

Royals Farm Report Minor League Hitter of the Year

Patrick Brennan

Though he’s not a prospect, you can’t deny the year Frank Schwindel had. After pulverizing AA arms to the tune of a .350/.374/.577 line, Scwhindel finally earned himself a promotion to AAA, moving up a level for the first time since mid-2015. Schwindel initially struggled in AAA, hitting .228/.250/.402 in June. Then… Frank the Tank went full blitz on the Pacific Coast League, hitting .375/.395/.621 from July on.

Alex Duvall

Frank Schwindel had one of the more interesting seasons I’ve seen from a minor leaguer this season. He was arguably the best hitter in the entire system for KC, but doesn’t even project as a top 40 organizational propsect. The peripherals don’t look promising for Frank the Tank, but the numbers are hard to deny.

Royals Farm Report Minor League Pitcher of the Year

Patrick Brennan

This one was pretty easy for me. One of the more dominating relievers in all of Minor League Baseball, Richard Lovelady stormed himself onto the prospect radar this year. Lovelady was in High-A to start the year, where he posted a 1.08 ERA and 1.48 FIP in 33.1 IP, also posting an insanely good K/BB ratio of 41 to 4. He continued his success in AA, owning a 2.16 ERA and 2.72 FIP in 33.1 IP. Look for Lovelady to play a serious role in the major league bullpen soon.

Alex Duvall

Richard Lovelady is going to be an electric reliever for KC. The Royals continue to produce quality relievers and Lovelady seems to be next in line. My prediction: We’ll have to eventually refer to Matt Strahm as Lovelady-lite.

Royals Farm Report 2017 Minor League All Stars

Patrick Brennan

Catcher- MJ Melendez

First Base- Frank Schwindel

Second Base- Gabriel Cancel

Third Base- Emmanuel Rivera

Shortstop- Nicky Lopez

Left Field- Donnie Dewees

Center Field- Michael Gigliotti

Right Field- Khalil Lee

Starting Pitcher- Foster Griffin

Relief Pitcher- Richard Lovelady

Alex Duvall

Catcher- Nick Dini

First Base- Samir Duenez

Second Base- Gabriel Cancel

Third Base- Emmanuel Rivera

Shortstop- Raul Mondesi

Left Field- Travis Jones

Center Field- Michael Gigliotti

Right Field- Jorge Soler

Starting Pitcher- Foster Griffin

Relief Pitcher- Grant Gavin

Miscellaneous

Patrick Brennan 

Best Rookie: Travis Jones

Most Improved Player: Bubba Starling

Most Exciting Team: Lexington Legends, Low-A

Most Exciting Game: Billings Mustangs 17, Idaho Falls Chukars 14

Alex Duvall

Best Rookie: Travis Jones

Most Improved Player: Marten Gasparini

Most Exciting Team: Lexington Legends, Low-A

Most Exciting Game: Lexington Legends 7, Delmarva Shorebirds 6