3 KC Royals prospects who should get a September callup

The KC Royals 2023 season has been over for quite a while now regarding a postseason chase. Royals fans have heard the evaluation season line all summer, but the evaluation in these final months may be the most important.

The KC Royals have some more evaluating to do this season.

Newcomers from the trade deadline like Nelson Velazquez or long-term minor leaguers like Logan Porter could warrant some evaluation at the major-league level in August and September. These two, and many more players, all need to prove themselves as future contributors to this ball club.

There are a ton of ways to measure when a prospect deserves the call. A good ball club won't rush a prospect and risk the, failing at the next level. Fans have seen countless players rush to the majors, only for the shock and adjustment to ruin their career before it even gets started.

One thing that I put a ton of weight into is a prospect's Rule 5 draft eligibility. I have seen some very good players, like Joakim Soria and Johan Santana, gained and lost via the Rule 5 draft. They are the exceptions, but losing a quality prospect to the winter's Rule 5 draft is rarely a good look.

But, a player's production at their respective level is the greatest factor. There is no point in making room for a player who struggles in Triple-A already. So, using these three factors and others, what Royals prospects could earn a very late-season callup in 2023?

Tyler Gentry

The Royals have not really opened up the doors for their Triple-A outfielders to jump to the major-league club. The club added Velazquez and Bubba Thompson this summer, adding some more lottery ticket acquisitions to the outfield. But, if the Royals want to see some more of their internal options in the outfield, Tyler Gentry should be the first man up.

MLB Pipeline ranks Gentry as the Royals' eight-best prospect in their midseason rankings with a glowing profile of the 24-year-old Gentry. "No Royals prospect took a bigger step forward in 2022 than Gentry" they said in his profile. "He went from a fringe-prospect and likely fourth outfielder to someone who could hit his way into a starting outfield job in the big leagues by the end of 2023."

Gentry looks like that player they described since July 2. He has a .977 OPS, 23 walks to 22 strikeouts, and seven home runs in 30 games. The righty is looking like the player described as "another product of the Royals’ successful hitting development program". That is not a huge stretch, evident by Gentry's plate approach and efficient pouncing upon the pitches best for him.

The bat has come around for the Alabama alum, but his fielding has always been a plus for him. His arm power slots best for right field, but he can work at either corner.

Gentry is also Rule 5 eligible this winter, making his joining the Royals' 40-man roster this offseason a near certainty anyways. He is outperforming the Triple-A competition and looks ready. If a door opens via injury or other means, Gentry has done everything to earn a callup in September.

Anthony Veneziano

I am a known Anthony Veneziano fan. He is a player steadily rising through the Royals system, with various degrees at each level. His 2022 Double-A season put his prospect status on ince, but the lefty looks legit once again. Veneziano is a shining example of the minor-league pitching turnaround, and Veneziano vocally enjoys the changes.

“The energy is different,” Veneziano said. “The plans are a little bit more hand-in-hand with what I think. From Day 1, I just felt the confidence [coaches] have in me. And that gives me the confidence to believe that I’m good.”

These new pitching coaches and curated development plans saw Veneziano dominate in Double-A this season. He made eight starts with a 25.4 K-BB%, a 2.13 ERA, and sub-1 WHIP. All that production made him one of the Texas League's best pitchers, after being one of the worst the season prior.

He now has more starts in Triple-A than Double-A this season, and a settled-in Veneziano looks promising. In 10 starts since June 4, he has a 2.90 ERA, a 9.14 K/9, and a solid 64% strike percentage. He has occasionally rough outings, but few pitchers are dominant in every start. As the Royals struggle to pull together a proper starting rotation, Veneziano is their best option.

Cue the Rule 5 line. Veneziano was Rule 5 eligible last season, but his horrendous season ensured he stayeed with Kansas City. Now though, he looks ready for his MLB debut. Teams, contender or not, love controllable left-handed starters with a three-pitch mix. Another team will give Veneziano a shot at the rotation following the Rule 5 draft. If the Royals are smart and trust their new pitching development, they need to call up Veneziano and give him a shot. That includes 2024 and beyond.