Kansas City Royals: Prospect to Watch, Trevor Oaks

Right-handed pitcher Trevor Oaks has made a few appearances with the Kansas City Royals already this season. Though he hasn’t fared well at the Major League level as of yet. Oaks will likely see more time with the Royals before the season is over.

Trevor Oaks has appeared in three games for the Kansas City Royals this season. In his 9.2 innings, his ERA sits at 7.45. He’s young, so the hefty ERA and 0-1 record is nothing to be concerned about quite yet.

The 25 year old was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the seventh round of the 2014 MLB Draft. He currently resides in fourteenth on MLB Pipeline’s top prospects list within the Royals organization.

With the Chasers

With the exception of the three games he spent in the Majors, Oaks has primarily been a member of the Omaha Storm Chasers. His 2.24 ERA there is much more telling than his MLB ERA.

He has a 60-grade fastball. According to MLB Pipeline, since college, his fastball velocity has increased by six MPH. He isn’t the type of pitcher that will strike out a lot of hitters. His walk rate in Triple A is slightly alarming, at 3.22 BB/9. His K/9 rate isn’t much higher, at 4.76.

Even though he doesn’t blow hitters away and send them back to the dugout on his own, he is still able to force a lot of outs. He is primarily a ground ball out pitcher. As long as he has a strong cast of infielders behind him, he thrives on the mound.

When will he be back?

There is no doubt that Trevor Oaks will find his way back into the Kansas City Royals dugout this season. He had a strong chance at the fifth spot in the rotation, but he ultimately lost out. With the season looking grim, perhaps giving younger arms more big league experience will soon become a reality for Ned Yost.

Next: Checking in on the lost free agents

It may not be soon, but Royals fans will see Trevor Oaks return to the big leagues with high hopes of making a good impression. For now, he will continue to grow as a young pitcher with the Omaha Storm Chasers.