KC Royals: 3 top prospects are primed for the majors

It’s no secret the KC Royals have one of the best farm systems in the majors. After all, four of their minor leaguers are among MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 big league prospects.

With all eyes now turned to the 2022 season, fans can expect more progress from current Royals and, on the strength of their great 2021 performances, probably see a few key prospects come to Kansas City sooner rather than later in the campaign.

Let’s look at three of those high-caliber prospects.

Bobby Witt Jr. proved why he’s the No.1 KC Royals prospect this season.

Bobby Witt Jr. is well-known to Kansas City fans. He’s MLB Pipeline’s No.1 Royals prospect, and deservedly so.

Witt started 2021 at Double-A Northwest Arkansas before moving up to Triple-A Omaha. He slashed a combined .290/.361/.575 with a .936 OPS, had a great .326 BABIP and fell just short of 100 RBIs with 97.

Witt also came tantalizingly close to a 30-home run, 30-double, 30-steal season. He mashed 33 home runs and notched 35 doubles, but was one stolen base short with 29. Still, his 30-30 homer-double effort was impressive and telling of his caliber as a ballplayer.

His fantastic offensive output earned him the organization’s George Brett Minor League Hitter of the Year award. Just as impressive, Witt won Baseball America’s 2021 Minor League Player of the Year award for his overall performance on the season.

Witt was also good defensively, notching a .975 fielding percentage, 213 assists, 101 putouts, and 45 double plays as a shortstop with the Naturals and Storm Chasers.

Although there is a plethora of quality talent in the Kansas City infield, Witt could still fit into the mix in 2022. He could take over at shortstop if Nicky Lopez is moved back to second base and the club decides to stick with Adalberto Mondesi at third. Or Witt might take over third, where he gained some experience this season, should the Royals choose to stick with Mondesi or Lopez at shortstop.

Even with the Royals needing to shake up a few positions, Witt should be expected to make his big league debut come 2022.