Royals MiLB: KC Sends 8 Players To Arizona Fall League

The Royals will send eight players to the Arizona Fall League, which begins play October 11. The AFL is an advanced instructional league designed to develop specific skills in mostly high-minors players.

The eight players from the Kansas City Royals organization are: 1) first baseman Ryan O’Hearn (AA) , 2) pitcher Josh Staumont (AA), 3) second baseman Corey Toups (AA), 4) third baseman Mauricio Ramos (AA) , 5) outfielder Alfredo Escalera (AA), 6) reliever Evan Beal (AAA), 7) reliever Jake Newberry (A+), 8) reliever Eric Stout (AA).

All eight Kansas City prospects will play for the Surprise, Saguaros.

Of the group, only O’Hearn (no.7), Staumont (no. 11), and Toups (no. 30) rank among the Royals top 30 prospects according to MLBPipeline.com.

P Josh Staumont (age 22)

Recently, I wrote that Josh Staumont possessed the highest upside of any prospect in the KC Royals system. He was a second round draft pick in 2015 from Azusa Pacific University.

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Staumont throws a fastball that averages in mid 90’s as a starter, and can touch 102 mph as a reliever. He also can throw a high 90’s sinker. Scouts rate his fastball an 80 on the 20-80 scale. He pairs that heater with a hard 12-6 curve, and a split-fingered change-up. He’s got ace stuff, but struggles with control

He went 3-11, with a 4.45 ERA in A+ and AA combined with an 11.9 K/9 and an outrageously high 7.8 BB/9. One little ray of hope is that his control slightly improved at AA NW Arkansas. He posted a 3.65 ERA with a 7.1 BB/9 and 12.4 K/9 for the Naturals in 2016. This kid has major league stuff right now if he can learn to get the ball over the plate. He struggles repeating his mechanics which is surely why he’s going to the AFL.

Next: Other Top Prospects