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KC Royals Farm Futures: Prospects could force outfield discussion

By Shawn Bauman |
(Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports)
(Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports)
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(Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports) /

It was a big week in the KC Royals’ kingdom, but flying under the radar are two outfielders crushing it in winter leagues.

Between the signing of Carlos Santana and the announcement of two new minor league affiliates, it has been a busy week for the KC Royals. The play of two outfielders in their respective winter leagues should have your attention as well, and may force a serious discussion about the 2021 outfield.

While it’s not deep into the season yet, Seuly Matias is off to a great start for the Gigantes del Ciabo. In eight at-bats he has two doubles, a home run, and a .375 average.

Particularly impressive is the opposite field power he displayed on his blast. While he showed off this skill in 2018, it is good to see him not strictly dependent on pulling the ball, which could keep the opposition using an exaggerated shift against him.

As a potential Rule 5 loss, the Royals were fortunate another team did not draft him. He is probably not ready for a major league role but having another year to evaluate him is huge. He is only 22 years old and could help the outfield situation sooner than later.

Recent 40-man addition also doing well

The KC Royals did protect Khalil Lee by adding him to the 40-man roster. He is a player who with a decent spring could slide onto the major league roster next year.

Playing for Indios de Mayaquez in Puerto Rico, he is slashing .250/.368/500 in 19 plate appearances. The batting average may not impress you, but his ability to get on base is huge.

In the minors, Lee has averaged a .366 on base percentage. Add that to the 53 bases in stole in 2019 and you have the makings of a legitimate top of the lineup threat.

Related Story. Royals need big outfield bat. light

(Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports)
(Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports) /

Even if you are not familiar with a new Class A team of the KC Royals, you have probably heard of one of their alums.

Former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL quarterback Tim Tebow played with the Columbia Fireflies back in 2017. The team was part of the New York Mets organization then and while he did not put up spectacular numbers, he offered a great opportunity to draw attention to the team.

Serga Park is where the Fireflies call home and it can seat just over 9,000 fans. One transition they have made since the COVID-19 outbreak is they are a cashless park to limit the number of potential touchpoints for the spread of the virus.

Portions of their uniform also glow in the dark in a nod to their name.

Before the Mets moved their Single A affiliate to Columbia, the city had been without a minor league team since 2004. The last time the Royals had a professional connection in South Carolina, they had not yet won their first World Series.

Will new Eastern Iowa fans have a new favorite MLB team?

A few hours closer than Kansas City’s previous High A team, the Lexington Legends, the border town of Davenport, Iowa will now see Royals prospects. While on the eastern side of the state, many fans may not be as connected to Kansas City as those near Nebraska and Missouri, but Davenport will still have the Midwestern appeal for many KC fans.

In pure Iowa style, there is a cornfield down the left field line that players emerge from when introduced—a nod to the Field of Dreams movie. This is one of many great things about the Modern Woodman Ballpark the Quad Cities River Bandits call home.

The park’s capacity is just over 4,000 and it’s built along the banks of the Mississippi River; some blasts to right field actually make it to the water. I know this park will be high on my list of stadiums to visit soon.

More. What does Santana signing mean for Pratto?. light

(Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports)
(Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports) /

In not totally unexpected news, the KC Royals re-inked a trio of players to deals to keep them in the organization.

The KC Royals’ recent 40-man roster decisions led to cuts and players being designated for assignment. Three of those are now back under minor league deals with the Royals.

Bubba Starling, Carlos Sanabria, and Foster Griffin will continue to have a chance to stick with the big league club down the road. Starling is the big name in this group, and because he’s the hometown draft pick, plenty are still pulling for him.

After a resurgence in performance in the minors in 2018 and 2019, Starling finally received the call to the big league squad. He has struggled to make it work in the majors, however, and this may be his last shot with the team.

Griffin made his major league debut this summer, pitching one and two-thirds inning of shutout ball. He has struggled in four of his previous five minor league years and could be transitioning from a starter to a reliever. But he’ll miss most, if not all, of this coming season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in August.

Sanabria played for the Houston Astros in 2020 before the Royals claimed him off waivers and then promptly released him a few weeks later. He was a decent reliever in the minors in 2019 and will be 24 years old next year. He has a lively arm, striking out over 10 per inning in ’18 and ’19, making him worth taking a shot on.

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There’s a lot to digest this week in prospect and minor league news. We’ll keep you posted as more changes and announcements are expected in the coming weeks.

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