Three KC Royals prospects to watch in Low-A Columbia

Pitcher Frank Mozzicato
Royals Prospect Ranking: 7

There is some inherited pressure with being a first-round pick in any sport's draft. That pressure is certainly still on pitcher Frank Mozzicato after his debut professional season.

Royals fans grumbled about the team selecting Mozzicato at 7th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft. While the prep pitcher did not have the tape or day-one metrics to impress fans, his signing for nearly $2 million under slot opened the door for other selections. Mozzicato's fastball/curveball/changeup mix, even in high school, was exciting and makes him a high-ceiling prospect. His debut season left much to be desired, though. He started 19 games in 2022 and ended with a 4.30 ERA and 1.54 WHIP. His control hindered his season's results, unfortunately, with a 6.65 BB/9.

It was a growing season for the 19-year-old prospect. If his draftmate Ben Kudrna had not outperformed Columiba's competition so competently, no one might be impatient about Mozzicato's 2022 season. Fans need to see some velocity jumps this season, as his fastball still sits in the low 90s at best. The curveball is great as always, but it would be even more devastating with a more powerful fastball.

Mozzicato is still growing as a person and player, so there is no hot seat for him. But fans will want to see more dominating results out of the high draft selection in 2023, especially as his peers climb the farm system.

Shortstop Daniel Vazquez
Royals Prospect Ranking: 27

Royals fans complain that the team does not make enough splashy moves, especially when it comes to free agency. But the team surprised many when they signed one of the biggest international free agents during the 2020–21 international signing period, shortstop Daniel Vazquez.

The Royals have not inspired confidence in developing their international free-agent acquisitions, though. Catcher Salvador Perez and pitcher Yordano Ventura both came from that pool, but those are the only notable examples in the past 20 years. Royals farm followers hoped outfielder Erick Pea would be the team's next success story, but the 20-year-old went from being a borderline top-100 prospect to being forgotten. All that to say, Vazquez has a lot of things working against him in Kansas City.

Vazquez went straight to Columbia after signing, a bold move from the Royals. It was a great test for a player who drew comparisons to Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado. His glove and arm transitioned seamlessly to Low-A, and he is a natural at shortstop. His bat fell considerably short, but he faced a steep learning curve and older competition. Now 19 years old, Vazquez has every tool to follow Makiel Garcia's trajectory if his own bat progresses. The defense is ready for High-A and could even be ready for Double-A. But his bat needs to improve this season if Vazquez doesn't want to be another international flash in the pan.

Infielder Brennon McNair
Royals Prospect Ranking: N/A

Both Mozzicato and Vazquez had a whole season of Low-A action under their belts and things to prove. But infielder Brennon McNair is making his Columbia debut this season with a lot of possibilities ahead.

The Royals selected McNair in the 319th overall slot in the 2021 MLB Draft out of Magee High School in Flowood, Mississippi. He was the only prep player drafted out of Mississippi that year, showing how special McNair is in his class. During his senior year, McNair had more home runs than strikeouts and sported a .527 batting average. McNair's bat kept an above-average clip on the complex ball, both in 2021 and 2022. Once he outperformed that competition, it was time to move on to Columbia. It is too soon to tell, but his hit tool translating to low-A is a concern. He has a smooth and effortless swing, but he struck out at a 27.8% clip in complex ball in 2022. In 2023, he will need to limit strikeouts to show fans his potential.

The 20-year-old McNair split time in the field between shortstop and third base, but his arm translated better to third base. He is a pure athlete, letting his speed and twitch show at shortstop, but the Royals system and even his Columbia team are full of borderline shortstops. He should have little competition at the hot corner and have more opportunities in the everyday lineup as such.

McNair is a very unheralded prospect but could be an entertaining player to watch in Columbia. He still has time and room to grow as a prospect, and the Fireflies will be a great team to start with.