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Evaluating the KC Royals shallow pool of first base prospects

By Jacob Milham |
/ Scott Kane/GettyImages
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Welcome back to our top-five prospects at each position in the KC Royals system. Catch up on the following positions, linked below:

Catcher

Let's dive into some first base prospects.

This is likely the Royals' thinnest position group regarding depth and talent. Vinnie Pasquantino and Nick Pratto graduated from the system, and no prospects have stepped into those shoes. The Royals have not spent premium draft picks or international free agent money on the position in quite some time, so the lack of a pool is not surprising. 

The KC Royals need to upgrade their minor league talent at first base.

But this does not necessarily mean that the Royals will continue to struggle in that position in the future. There are a few talents who could transition to first base in future seasons, but there are plenty already logging innings at first base. Let's look at some of them.

5. Aldrin Lucas
Born: 2/07/2003 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 

Lucas graduated from the Dominican Summer League to the Arizona Complex League and has been making steady progress in his development as a first baseman. A converted catcher, Lucas gets on base with some limited power. The bat-to-ball skills are legit, though, and he gets on base consistently. In 26 games in 2023, he reached base in 23 games via walk or hit. He lacks raw power but could continue to grow into his frame.

2023 stats: 73 AB, .301/.463/.411, 1 HR, 12 RBI, 18 BB, 18 SO

4. CJ Alexander
Born: 7/17/1996 in Merrillville, IN

Alexander came to the Kansas City system in the same trade that brought Drew Waters in 2022. He was not a highly regarded prospect in the Atlanta Braves organization and has not been one for the Royals either. At 27 years old, he is still searching for his MLB debut. He had a very poor debut season in Triple-A, casting doubt on his MLB possibilities. He still offers plenty of power at the plate and a good glove at first base. The clock is ticking.

2023 stats: 303 AB, .231/.304/.469, 17 HR, 49 RBI, 30 BB, 97 SO

3. Dillan Shrum
Born: 3/04/1998 in La Mesa, CA

See Alexander; make him two years younger and four inches shorter, and you have a player pretty close to Shrum. He is not going to light your hair on fire, but he is a solid player at the plate. His walk rate actually improved from High-A to Double-A, where he spent the entire 2023 campaign. He is a former undrafted free agent who has slowly climbed through the system. The ceiling is not very high, but Shrum continues to find success. A move to Triple-A could change his trajectory, for better or worse.

2023 stats: 277 AB, 235/.399/.433, 13 HR, 48 RBI, 54 BB, 115 SO

This collegiate player is rising quick up KC Royals prospect boards.

2. Brett Squires
Born: 2/26/2000 in Fort Worth, TX

Squires, a former Oklahoma Sooner player, put the Boomer in Boomer Sooner in his first professional season. The 23-year-old spent all of 2023 in Low-A Columbia, where he showcased his power at the plate. A walk-off grand slam in September was a perfect highlight to end his 2023 campaign. He has the optimal build for a first baseman and committed only two errors in 908 2/3 innings at first base. This time next year, Squires could be the team's best true first base prospect.

2023 stats: 419 AB, .263/.381/.430, 15 HR, 69 (nice) RBI, 66 BB, 146 SO

1. Devin Mann
Born: 2/11/1997 in Columbus, IN

This feels like cheating, but if the Royals had to promote a prospect to play first base tomorrow, Mann is the best man for the job. The Royals acquired him in the Ryan Yarborough trade from the Los Angeles Dodgers, and both teams could still benefit from that trade.

MLB.com ranks Mann as the Royals' 27th overall prospect, right behind Arizona Fall League standout Peyton Wilson and 2023 Futures Game representative Will Klein. Mann was likely the best prospect available in Triple-A as the season wound down, after the lackluster September callups.

MLB.com succinctly put Mann's MLB outlook, saying "he doesn't have a huge ceiling but could fill a utility role at the big league level." I understand that Royals fans are tired of hearing about toolsy, glove-first middle infielders with defensive versatility. Watch Mann and see that he has defensive versatility but is different from those prospects. He has solid power, posting a .226 ISO in 2023. He can get on base and walk at a great 17.7% clip in Omaha. Sure, the strikeouts rose as well, but his overall offensive potential is still worth noting.

Devin Mann may not be flashy, but he is a high-floor KC Royals prospect.

Mann has played all over the infield and some in left field as well. His twitch and arm strength limit him on the left infield, but his size and steady glove make him a good fit at first or second base. Mann will likely play a utility role in any MLB opportunities, a la Nick Loftin in 2023. 

Is Mann a hot prospect, one that is pushing top-100 lists across the land? No. But he has shown enough potential to earn consideration for a call-up in the future. The floor is high for Mann, and the Royals could need him down the line.

2023 stats: 460 AB, 276/.387/.502, 20 HR, 86 RBI, 79 BB, 149 SO

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