Kansas City Royals: Frank Schwindel, The Forgotten Prospect

Frank Schwindel has been one of the most consistent hitters of any prospect in the system. Yet, the Kansas City Royals don’t seem to have a plan for him.

He hits for power, average, and makes contact. He has never struck out more than 89 times in a season. That’s better than most of the Kansas City Royals top farm prospects. As an example take Khalil Lee, who in 100 games, struck out 103 times in 2018 and 171 in 2017 in 121 games. Lee is expected to be one of the key pillars of prospects going forward, but Frank Schwindel is rarely talked about in this way.

In his six year minor league career, Schwindel has 289 extra base hits, with 102 of them being home runs. Last year’s slash line was a very respectable .286/.336/.506. If he has a weakness, it’s his walk rate. He was better last year but only had 34 of them. He made up for that by hitting more doubles at 38.

The reasonable amount of strikeouts and lack of walks tells me he makes contact. This is a skill the Royals management have said they like in a hitter. Put the ball in play and make something happen. When looked at on strictly a hitting perspective, Schwindel looks like a perfect fit with the type of player the Royals want.

So why has he been left off the 40 man roster? Why has every team in the big leagues passed him over in the Rule 5 Draft two years running? Simply put, he doesn’t have a place to play on the field. The problem really started the day he was drafted in the18th round as a catcher from St. Johns. He did start his career catching for the Idaho Chukars, but was quickly moved to first base.

The Royals have given him plenty of opportunities to grab that position. However, in Omaha he was behind Ryan O’Hearn. He will most likely be behind Samir Duenez this year. The Royals just don’t think much of his defensive abilities. Think Billy Butler.

The problem this time around is the big league club doesn’t need a DH. Jorge Soler will most likely spend a significant amount of time at DH this year. Soler could grab the right field job but I believe the Royals are leaning in a different direction. The Royals will probably start the season with 13 pitchers. That doesn’t leave room for a player who is mostly a DH.

At this point in his career, finding another position is not an option. Schwindel’s only real chance of seeing the big leagues is a key injury or a late season call up. For him to get an in-season call up would be if Soler is hurt or traded. Outside of that, I don’t see many opportunities for him.

It doesn’t look good outside of KC either. Hit only guys are not as wanted as in years past. His path to the big leagues is a small one. We may see him at the end of the year if the Royals have a roster spot for him. With so many other prospects coming his window of opportunity looks short with Kansas City Royals.