Kansas City Royals DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Kansas City Royals outfielder Drew Waters went 4-for-5 at the plate and hit for the cycle during their victory over Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday. Waters led the Omaha offense in this contest as he tallied five RBI, which was highlighted by a three-run inside-the-park home run. Waters was competing for a depth role in the Kansas outfield during spring training but was unable to win a spot on the roster. This was a nice breakout outing for the 26-year-old as he did not tally a hit in each of his first two contests of the Triple-A regular season. Last summer, Waters appeared in just seven games for the Royals and tallied just three hits. Through 334 career games at Triple-A, Water has posted a solid .269/.352/.447 slash line. He is worth monitoring in AL-only formats as he could eventually earn a spot in the Kansas City outfield later in the season.

Although he only went five innings and picked up a no-decision in Wednesday's 3-2 extra-innings loss to the hosting Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field, Kansas City Royals left-hander Cole Ragans had a strong day on the bump for his fantasy managers. Ragans allowed only one earned run on five hits (one homer) while walking two and striking out 10. The only run he gave up came in the first inning on a solo shot by Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio. The former first-rounder hasn't been all that efficient in his first two starts of the 2025 season and has gone just 10 total innings, but he's generating plenty of swings and misses and now has 13 strikeouts. The 27-year-old southpaw should be considered a must-start in his next scheduled outing at Kauffman Stadium against the division-rival Minnesota Twins.

Kansas City Royals right-handed pitching prospect Luinder Avila tossed 5 2/3 innings in his season debut on Tuesday evening. Avila tallied an impressive 11 punchouts while allowing just one hit, one run, and a free pass. This was an impressive season debut for Avila, who made only one previous Triple-A start in his career. Avila received a start with Triple-A Omaha at the end of the 2024 campaign and allowed five earned runs across 4 1/3 innings. This was a significant step in the right direction for the 23-year-old. He spent most of the 2024 campaign with Double-A Northwest Arkansas and posted a 3.81 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP across 82 2/3 innings of work. Across this stint, he held a 43:82 BB:K. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring his progression at Triple-A, as he could push for his MLB debut in the second half.

Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino is not in the starting lineup when the Royals continue a series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday evening. Pasquantino has been in the lineup for each of the first four games of the regular season. He was in danger of missing Opening Day due to a hamstring injury, but was able to recover in time. On Tuesday, the Royals will give Cavan Biggio the start at first base. Through his first four games, Pasquantino has held a .214/.333/.643 slash line with one double, one triple, and one long ball. He has tallied four RBI and held a 2:2 BB:K. Fantasy managers should expect Pasquantino to return to the starting nine on Wednesday when the Royals will face Milwaukee ace Freddy Peralta.

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Brady Singer threw a gem in a 14-3 win over the Texas Rangers on Monday. Singer tossed seven shutout innings while allowing just one hit, striking out eight, and walking two. It was exactly the type of debut Singer could have hoped for in his first start for the Reds after he was traded from the Kansas City Royals in the offseason. Singer turned in his best season in the big leagues in 2024, posting a 9-13 record, 3.71 ERA, and 170 strikeouts over 179 2/3 innings of work and is looking to keep it going as he is off to a fast start in the 2025 season. Singer is slated to face off against the Milwaukee Brewers on the road on Saturday in his next start.