Kansas City Royals Potential Breakout Prospects

Every year, there are prospects who start the season under the radar, but manage to have a breakthrough season. Let us look at a few potential breakthrough candidates on the Kansas City Royals.

Prospects may well be the greatest currency in baseball. For struggling teams, prospects are the promise of a better future, players that one can look at and project to be a part of the solution to get back to better days. For teams that are in the midst of a run of success, prospects can either help facilitate a trade to improve the major league roster, or provide a low cost option to supplement the higher priced talent.

With the Kansas City Royals, prospects have become a true lifeblood of the franchise. Cornerstones such as Salvador Perez, Eric Hosmer and Alex Gordon are all home grown talents. With the Royals, until recently, not being able to compete at the same financial level as other teams, these prospects have been vital to the team’s success.

Even with this new found financial flexibility, the Royals still need to have their prospects perform well in order to supplement the roster. Unfortunately, with their trades for Johnny Cueto and Ben Zobrist last season, the Royals farm system is not at the same level it had been in past years.

That is not to say that the Kansas City Royals are without talent at the minor league level. In fact, there are a few intriguing players that could take a step forward and become breakout prospects for the Royals.

Next: The speedster

Carlos Garcia

Chances are, if one was to ask who was the Kansas City Royals minor league leader in stolen bases last season, one would likely answer Terrance Gore. Instead, the correct answer is Carlos Garcia, a switch hitting second baseman who split his time between the Lexington Legends and the Wilmington Blue Rocks.

In his 113 games last season, Garcia hit at a respectable .268/.346/.360 rate, stealing 42 bases while hitting 15 doubles and eight triples. Garcia also showed a solid batting eye and an ability to make contact, drawing 47 walks while striking out 78 times.

Not only does Garcia fit the Royals offensive philosophy of putting pressure on opposing defenses, but he could also be a part of the solution at second base in a couple of years. Since Frank White retired following the 1990 season, the Royals have had 14 different players as their primary second baseman, and only Carlos Febles had that role for more than three seasons. Garcia, should he continue to develop, could put an end to that revolving door.

Chances are, Garcia will begin the 2016 season in Wilmington once again. If he performs well again this year, he could be knocking on the door for a major league job by the end of 2017.

Next: A projectable outfield talent

Amalani Fukofuka

Amalani Fukofuka fell just outside of our Top Fifteen Prospects list for the Kansas City Royals, but he is still an intriguing talent at just 19 years old. In fact, he may have already begun his breakout last season.

After struggling with the Burlington Royals in 2014, Fukofuka excelled in Idaho Falls, posting a .339/.401/.500 batting line while showing potential power and speed. Although he hit only three home runs, Fukofuka hit 18 doubles and nine triples while stealing ten bases. One has to imagine that as his 6’1″, 180 pound frame fills out, he will be able to add more power to his offensive profile.

Perhaps the biggest concern with Fukofuka at this stage is his propensity to strike out, as he struck out in exactly one quarter of his at bats. While he was almost two years younger than the average for the Pioneer League last season, one has to wonder if his aggressive tendencies will be a detriment as Fukofuka rises up the organizational ladder.

It is difficult to project minor league players, particularly those who are still in the Rookie Leagues. Yet, if Fukofuka can make more consistent contact while retaining his potential power/speed capabilities, he could find himself as one of the Royals top prospects next season.

Next: A speedster with legitimate pop

Estarlin Cordero

Relievers tend to be at a disadvantage on prospect lists. Even with a strong arm, starting pitching is considered a lot more valuable, making it difficult for a reliever to garner attention. Of course, with the Kansas City Royals, who rely so heavily upon their bullpen, the typical prospect ranks are barely relevant.

That is part of why Estarlin Cordero could be a prospect to keep an eye on in the future. One of the several closers that the Blue Rocks used last season, Cordero produced a 4-2 record with a 2.33 ERA and a 1.148 WHiP, striking out 42 batters in 54 innings. While he did walk 21 batters, Cordero minimized the damage by allowing only 41 hits.

A ground ball specialist who has a ground ball to fly ball ratio of almost 2:1 in his minor league career, the biggest question surrounding Cordero may be his command. Should he be able to harness his stuff as he did with Burlington in 2014, where he issued only seven walks in 26.2 innings, Cordero could become a future piece of the Royals bullpen in the coming years.

Given the Royals reliance on a strong bullpen, relief pitchers in the minor leagues can certainly receive attention from the front office. Should Cordero improve his control while continuing his ground ball ways, he could play his way into the Royals future plans.

Next: An unheralded starter

Alec Mills

Another player that was an honorable mention in the Top Fifteen Prospects list, Alec Mills could force his way into the Kansas City Royals future plans before long.

A former 22nd round draft pick in the 2012 MLB Amateur Draft, Mills may have begun to breakout last season. Given a chance to play in Wilmington, Mills pitched very well in the Carolina League, posting a 7-7 record with a 3.02 ERA and a 1.200 WHiP. However, where Mills truly stood out was with his command, as he walked only 14 batters while striking out 111 in 113.1 innings of work.

That excellent command has a part of Mills’ profile throughout his career. In his 266.2 career innings, Mills has walked only 54 batters while recording 255 strikeouts. In his first full season as a starter last year, Mills posted a career best 7.93 strikeout to walk rate, while continuing his ability to keep the ball in the year. Even with the three home runs he gave up last season, Mills has only allowed four longballs since the start of 2013.

Next: Royals look to resurrect career of Jon Denney

Alec Mills may be under the radar currently for the Kansas City Royals, but that may not be the case for much longer. Another season like last year, and Mills may be considered one of the Royals top pitching prospects.