3. Brett Eibner is third in my list and he may be the one who many would favor. He, too, is an outfielder and 26 years old. He has decent speed with 10 steals. Brett Eibner doesn’t hit for average like Martinez or Fuenmayor, at .303 for for the season. but 2015 was a breakthrough season for him when you consider that he has a .240 career batting average in the minors.
More from KC Royals Prospects
- The Maikel Garcia mistake the KC Royals may be making
- KC Royals Prospects: 7 selected for Fall League play
- KC Royals Prospects: What to do with Stephen Woods Jr.?
- KC Royals: 3 good candidates for 2 September callups
- KC Royals Prospects News: Top draft pick is sizzling
Many scouts think Brett Eibner still has upside, since he is a former second round draft choice whom the KC Royals knew needed significant development with his hit tool. Yet, Eibner is an athletic, toolsy guy who plays center in the minors and can play all three outfield positions.
Brett Eibner also displays an unusual combination of power and patience for a Kansas City Royals prospect with walk rates above 8.8% every year of his career. He also led the Chasers with 19 homers for the season, with 81 RBIs in only 431 plate appearances due to injury.
With Alex Gordon and Alex Rios set to become free agents this winter, both Jose Martinez and Brett Eibner could get long looks as cheap corner outfielders next spring.
4. Rey Fuentes came on strong at the end. He is only 24 and has speed to burn (with 29 stolen bases) and so he may overtake the others within the year. He hit .310, and one of those rangy base-running rabbits that the KC Royals front office likes to collect. He had 9 home runs and 47 RBIs in 410 at bats in the minors.
The front office apparently likes Fuentes, because they placed him on the 40 man roster. The little lefty-hitting speedster (6’0, 160 pounds) looks poised to follow the mold of Jarrod Dyson and Terrance Gore.
Next: Toronto's Rodgers Centre Is A House Of Horrors For KC Offense