Kansas City Royals: Where does Ryan O’Hearn stand?

Ryan O’Hearn has played in 14 games for the Kansas City Royals since being called up from the Omaha Storm Chasers. The first baseman is only 25, meaning he could possibly play a large role in the rebuild. But, the question is, should he?

Ryan O’Hearn was a prospect who was left off of the 40-man roster in 2017. Therefore, he was subjected to the Rule 5 draft, after which he remained with teh Kansas City Royals. He is receiving his first taste of Major League ball in 2018.

O’Hearn was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 2014 Amateur Draft in the eighth round. He has since worked his way up the system, and the Royals selected his contract from the Omaha Storm Chasers on July 31.

Season Statistics

While with the Kansas City Royals, he has appeared in 15 games. He has hit five home runs, knocked in 11 RBIs, and is slashing .229/.302/.563.

In the minor leagues during the 2018 season, he played in 100 games for the Omaha Storm Chasers. With Omaha, he slashed .232/.322/.391. He hit just 11 home runs in those hundred games, and he only totaled 52 RBIs.

Future with the Royals

Depending on who the Kansas City Royals are able to trade away in the offseason, he may start in the minor leagues again in the 2019 season. Both Lucas Duda and Hunter Dozier are in the running to be the full time first baseman in the 2019 season as well.

But, there is a possibility that one or both of those players could be traded away before the season begins. With a push to put younger players on the field, there will hopefully be multiple moves made.

Though he is receiving a lot of playing time in the final weeks of the 2018 season, Ryan O’Hearn will likely begin his 2019 season in Omaha with the Storm Chasers, unless there are moves made with some of the veteran players.