Royals honor Brett Squires as Hitter of the Year, but face a tricky offseason choice

The Kansas City Royals announced a slew of Minor League awards on Monday. Seven players were honored with eight different awards. Among the list of honorees was Brett Squires, who was named George Brett Hitter of the Year and won the Mike Sweeney Community Impact Award.

Squires hit .277 with a .901 OPS this season across two levels. The 26-year-old started the season in Double-A, where he hit .294 with a .926 OPS in 32 games. He had six home runs and 11 doubles, with 29 RBI before his Triple-A call-up.

Once in Triple-A, Squires continued to hit well. In 100 games, he hit .271 with an .892 OPS. The lefty hit 23 doubles, 3 triples, and 25 home runs with 75 RBI and 15 stolen bases.

The 6-foot-3, University of Oklahoma alum ended up with 68 extra-base hits this season, with 103 RBI and 24 stolen bases to one caught stealing. He played mostly first base this season, while getting 19 games in left field once he moved up to Triple-A

Brett Squires made a point this season that he is ready for the majors, the Royals just have to see the vision

Usually, a player who wins a minor league hitter of the year will get a shot in the next season at advancing to the next level. The problem for the Royals is they don't have time to wait to make that decision. Squires is Rule 5 Draft eligible this offseason, which means if he isn't added to the 40-man roster before the deadline, he becomes available to every other team.

Squires was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He has steadily progressed through the minors, moving up one level every season. He started in Single-A in 2023 as a 23-year-old, went to High-A in 2024, Double-A in 2025, and then made it to the highest level of the minors this season.

Squires has never had much trouble in the minors; for his career, he has a .270/.359/.469/.827 slash line in his four minor league seasons. 2026 was easily his best individual season by far, and it's why the Royals should seriously be considering him for the 40-man roster.

There really isn't a reason not to add him either. Just because a player is on the 40-man doesn't mean they have to be in the majors. As a primary first baseman, Squires is obviously blocked by Vinnie Pasquantino, but having him on the 40-man just means that he becomes the backup if Vinnie spends time on the IL.

Squires is not a top prospect for the Royals. Players who come through college and the minors as late-round picks or undrafted free agents don't need to be protected from the up-and-down to the minors like younger or higher-pedigree prospects do, and that usually doesn't affect them as much either. He could be a valuable bench option or call-up during the season.

The Royals really have no reason not to add Squires to the 40-man roster this offseason. Letting him become available in the Rule 5 Draft feels like something they will regret next season when he's playing really well in another city. He showed off his skills this season in Triple-A; give him a shot in the majors with the organization he's been with his whole professional career.

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