60-man roster experience will be key for KC Royals prospects

The KC Royals have named some of their top prospects to the team’s 60-man roster for Spring Training 2.0. That experience will be extremely valuable.

The KC Royals are less than a month away from their Opening Day, which will come after “Spring Training 2.0.” It can’t come soon enough.

The COVID-19 pandemic has sent the country — and the world — into a whirlwind, causing many sports across all leagues and levels to either cancel or postpone play. MLB and the players finally reached an agreement after what seemed to be a never-ending saga, so baseball will be played at the major league level. Ironically, that helps out some of the organization’s top prospects, too.

This year’s minor league season is a wash. Not gonna happen. Our friends at Royals Review have noted how that may hurt prospects like Bobby Witt Jr., and that’s more than fair. With that said, the announcement of the 60-man roster should leave fans hopeful that the youngsters will still be able to learn something and get better this year:

Among the aforementioned players, there’s a good mix of veteran and minor league talent. Pitchers like Brady Singer, Jackson Kowar, Daniel Lynch, Kris Bubic, Austin Cox and Tyler Zuber will look to pick back up where they left off: impressing the organization with their production. Position players such as MJ Melendez, Witt, Kyle Isbel, Khalil Lee and Seuly Matias all have skills they need to develop. A wiped out season hurts them too, but they can at least get the next best thing.

Summer Camp workouts will hold some value. Singer will get to continue making his case for being the team’s No. 5 starter. His 2018 draft classmates will get much-needed tutelage as they look to join him in the near future. Melendez will spend more time with Salvador Perez. Isbel and Lee, players with low ceilings but impressive tools nonetheless, can now further develop them while learning about mental preparation.

Matias has struggled recently, but is now healthy and looking to hit the reset button. This is his chance. Witt, a kid with baseball running through his blood, can now show off his impressive mental makeup while hanging out with the professionals. It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.

Both the Royals and their players are making the most out of an unfortunate situation. Baseball will be back before you know it.