Kansas City Royals‘ fans will have three very good reasons to watch the MLB Futures Game. Their trio of star minor leaguers are a glimpse into the Royals’ bright future.
Things are looking up for the KC’s current big club already. They are just eight games under .500, and for KC that’s an improvement. They finished last season 20 games below the even mark, but after years of futility they showed some signs of promise.
Mike Moustakas, Alex Gordon and Billy Butler all had seasons that should have given Royals’ faithful something to feel good about.
Each of them have built on that this season. Next up for the Royals could be the likes of Wil Myers, Jake Odorizzi and Yordano Ventura.
The latter is the only one that will play for the World Team in the Futures Game. Myers and Odorizzi will be managed by Royals great George Brett for the USA team.
Ventura doesn’t look like a top-level starting pitcher at 5’11”, 150 pounds with bricks in his pockets, but he has an electric arm.
Watching him makes you think of Pedro Martinez. A guy small in stature, but with big-time stuff.
He’s 3-5 with a 3.30 ERA, but get this; he has struck out 98 batters in just 76.1 innings. He’s only in Class A Advanced, but he certainly looks like the real deal.
If there’s one thing the Royals need it’s an ace. Luke Hochevar has yet to come anywhere close to his status as a former No. 1 pick. A spot at the top of the Royals rotation is there for the taking.
Myers is a former third-round pick, and he could see the majors before any of the three. At 6’3″ 205 pounds, he has pop and he’s a decent athlete in the outfield.
He could inspire the Royals to move Jeff Francoeur, who could be a free agent after next season. It seems Myers fits best as a corner outfielder and Gordon should be a mainstay.
Myers has hit .315 with 14 HR and 42 RBI in 48 games at Triple A Omaha. He’s as ready as he can be, and could be a September call-up if he doesn’t get the call before then.
Finally, there is Odorizzi, another solid starting pitching prospect. He doesn’t have the overpowering stuff that Ventura has, but he has great control.
He has only 26 BB in over 85 IP this season. He is also with Triple A Omaha, and because the Royals need starting pitching badly it wouldn’t be crazy to consider bringing him up to take a look.
Kansas City is 24th in Team ERA in the majors, so could he really be much worse?
If the Royals play their cards right a nucleus of Moustakas, Gordon, Butler, Myers, Ventura and Odorizzi could lead to respectability, and dare I say—contention.
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