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

Corey Toups

Unlike players like Carlos Garcia and Terrance Gore who have to rely upon their speed to get their extra base hits, Coery Toups has the potential to be someone who can blend both his speed and still have extra base power in his bat.

Another second baseman who could be on the fast track if he continues to develop, Toups had an excellent year for the Lexington Legends, producing a .291/.369/.441 batting line. His 31 stolen bases were tied for fourth in the Royals minor leagues, and he ranked third in runs scored (75) and eighth in doubles (27). Toups even added five triples and seven home runs while showing a solid batting eye, as his 44 walks were seventh in the Royals farm system.

With Garcia as a possible future option at second base as well, Toups played 36 games at shortstop last season. While he may never lead anyone to forget about Alcides Escobar on defense, adding another position to his profile can only help as he looks to ascend the Royals organizational ladder. Of course, should Toups continue to hit and showcase his impressive speed, the Royals may well find a place for him in their lineup in the coming years regardless.

Corey Toups may not be a prospect that is attracting a lot of attention now, but another strong minor league campaign could push him in to the Kansas City Royals future plans, potentially competing with Garcia to put an end to the revolving door at second base.

Next: Needs to work on his command

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