Royals aren't doing themselves any favors by stashing power-hungry prospect in Double-A

The Kansas City Royals aren't offering much for fans at the major league level right now, losing their seventh game in their last nine on Saturday in Anaheim. However, the same can't be said for their minor league system right now, as it's been on the rise in recent weeks with some real standout performances at every level. While many may be focused on the lights-out performances from teenaged pitching sensations, Kendry Chourio and David Shields or the new wave of newly drafted talented making a name for themselves.

However, another name has been having his time in the limelight down of the farm. Carson Roccafrote has been dominant-looking form a power perspective this season. In 109 games in Double-A Northwest Arkansas this season, the outfielder has belted 30 homers while driving in 80. He's also sporting a more than respectable slash line of .251/.333/.525 with a 10.4% walk rate and 112 wRC+.

On top of that, Roccaforte is also an above-average speed threat with 21 steals this season along with 43 combined steals between Northwest Arkansas and Quad Cities in 2024. Tack on some 60-grade fielding according to MLB Pipeline's most recent scouting report on him and Roccaforte looks like a well-rounded package that could make his presence known in Kansas City sooner rather than later.

The problem is though, despite demonstrating his ability to dominate Double-A pitching, the Royals have still yet to promote Roccaforte this season.

With red flags like his near-30% strikeout rate and average looking batting average, it's understandable why the Royals are exercising patience with him and he hasn't found himself patrolling the Royals outfield quite yet.

But why not give him a shot in Triple-A Omaha before the MiLB season is up in just over a month?

It could be just the tune up they need before likely testing himself in Spring Training next season. It will only benefit him to see more major league adjacent pitching with the Storm Chasers to really know what they have.

Could Carson Roccaforte have a role to play in Royals' 2027 competitive plans?

It's no secret that the rise of Jac Caglianone has done wonders for providing light to a bleak Royals outfield picture this season. However, their still an overall below average entity offensively this season with a 97 wRC+ as a unit.

Power in particular his been an issue for Royals outfielders. They rank tied for 26th in homers with just 33 and 20th in SLG at .388. With refining at the highest level of the upper minors, there's plenty of reason to believe Roccaforte could be a productive contributor to better them in these areas. He's past every test the Royals have placed in front of him so far, who's to say he won't thrive in Omaha and then Kansas City?

Apart from Caglianone the Royals still have work to do in the outfield. Isaac Collins has cooled off considerably since the All-Star break with a 68 second-half wRC+ and Kyle Isbel is still better known for his glove in center field, as he's sporting just a 69 wRC+ in his injury-plagued campaign this year.

The 24-year-old Roccaforte has the defensive chops to play all around the outfield with the premium position of center field being his primary spot. And with offensive numbers that offer more upside than just a bottom of the order bat, there's plenty of reason to buy into him as a potential middle of the order stalwart in this Royals lineup when he meets his peak potential.

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