Drew Waters DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Kansas City Royals optioned outfielders Drew Waters and Joey Wiemer and infielder Nick Loftin to Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday, the team announced. The team also announced that infielders Harold Castro and Tyler Tolbert, right-hander Taylor Clarke and catcher Brian O'Keefe have been assigned to minor-league camp. With Waters and Wiemer going down, it means that Dairon Blanco and Mark Canha will be the team's backup outfielders to start the 2025 regular season. Waters really struggled this spring, going 6-for-32 (.188) with three doubles, two triples, four RBI, two steals and 18 strikeouts in 19 Cactus League games. Wiemer is being sent down despite a hot spring showing that saw him post an .838 OPS with two home runs, two doubles, nine RBI and three stolen bases in 21 contests.

The Kansas City Royals will recall outfielder Drew Waters when they start the second half of the season on Friday. Waters will take the place of catcher/outfielder MJ Melendez (ankle) who was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left ankle sprain. The 25-year-old was once a highly touted prospect when he came up with the Atlanta Braves, but it hasn't translated when he has gotten big-league time with the Royals over the past few seasons. For Triple-A Omaha, Waters has hit .273 with 10 homers, 44 RBI and 11 stolen bases. With the Royals, Waters is expected to serve as outfield depth and can remain on the waiver wire for now.