With the graduation of Burch Smith from prospect eligibility on Tuesday, MLB Pipeline added Nick Dini into their top 30 Royals prospects list.

In 14 games with the Omaha Storm Chasers this season, Dini was slashing .333/.350/.667 with 3 HR in 40 PA’s. Then Salvy came back to KC, Cam Gallagher was sent to AAA Omaha, and Dini was sent back to AA Northwest Arkansas to make sure he was getting to start every day. Dini is still enjoying plenty of success in AA, and I’d expect him to make the jump back up to AAA at some point during the season.

I don’t personally have Dini in my top 30 Royals prospects, but his performance in AAA this season certainly warrants the acknowledgement. Dini is a fine defensive catcher with a decent bat who has a chance to be backup catcher in the Major Leagues. Barring a jump in offensive approach, I’m not sure that he’s got the bat to be an every day starter, which is why I don’t have him ranked as high as MLB Pipeline, but he could be serviceable nonetheless.

Brad Keller will be the next Royals prospect to graduate from prospect eligibility this season, which will open up a spot for someone else to jump into the Royals top 30 soon. Who do you think deserves the next nod, Royals fans? Bubba Starling? Erick Mejia? Juan Carlos Negret? Charlie Neuweiler? My money is on Sebastion Rivero, but I’d like to hear your opinions as well. Tweet us @RoyalsFarm on Twitter and let us know your predictions!