KC Royals: What happened to all of these players?

Two KC Royals players have spent most of the season at Triple-A Omaha.

Ryan McBroom and Jake Newberry are no strangers to Kansas City. First baseman and designated hitter McBroom, purchased from the Yankees late in the 2019 season, played 23 games with the Royals that year, 36 last season, and seven early in 2021. Reliever Newberry has appeared 65 times since breaking in with the club in 2018.

Despite his power, McBroom failed to land an everyday role in his chances with the Royals. They sent him to Omaha, although he’s been recalled for brief stints this season.

Newberry’s fate is similar. Two dismal early season efforts—giving up three runs on four hits in 1.2 innings against the Angels April 12, and surrendering two runs to Toronto in a third of an inning three days later—moved the KC Royals to send him to Triple-A. He returned in early May but gave up three runs in an inning against Minnesota and found himself back in Omaha. The club DFA’d him in June, then re-signed him a few days later.

Both players are still with the Storm Chasers. McBroom leads the club’s season-long home run binge with 32, and he’s hitting .263 with 87 RBIs in 114 games. Newberry isn’t enjoying nearly as much success—he’s 2-5 with a 5.25 ERA, and opponents are batting .297 against him. Indianapolis clipped him for three runs, three hits and two walks in its 17-12 “Final Stretch” win over Omaha Sunday.

Will Kansas City give either player another shot at the majors? Time will tell.