The Kansas City Royals have acquired infielder Kevin Merrell. Merrell was obtained when the Royals shipped Homer Bailey to the Oakland Athletics. The Royals are now in sell mode and could be shipping more players before the trading deadline.
Homer Bailey has been traded to Oakland for Kevin Merell, a left handed hitting infielder in the minors. Merrell will report to AA Northwest Arkansas. Will not be added to Royals 40 man. Merrell was a first round draft pick of the A’s in 2017
— Joel Goldberg (@goldbergkc) July 14, 2019
Kansas City Royals Acquire Kevin Merrell
Kevin Merrell’s Career
Merrell was drafted in the first round of the 2017 draft. The 23-year-old infielder was batting .246 with two HRs and 34 RBI for the Midland Rockhounds in double-A.
In his three-year minor league career, Merrell has a .277 batting average with four HRs and 68 RBI. He has stolen 30 bases and has been caught stealing twelve times.
Before getting drafted by the Athletics, Merrell attended college at South Florida where he batted .353 with eight HRs and 82 RBI. He also stole 56 bases, getting caught only eleven times. Merrell was also on a little league team from Citrus Park that played in the 2008 Little League World Series.
Merrell’s Outlook
Merrell, who was the 17th ranked prospect in the Athletics farm system, is known more for his speed. Because of his speed and his defensive versatility, Merrell’s role could be that of a super utility player. Although, he still has a good chance of being an everyday second basemen.
Merrell bats from the left side and is still trying to find his swing. He was drafted so highly because of his rare combination of speed and his .384 batting average in his junior year at South Florida. The young prospect does not project to be a power hitter, so he is learning how to slash the ball to the left side so he can use his speed more to his advantage. While he has great range at short, his arm is not considered strong. Merrell also played some games in the outfield while in college.
Here's @MLBPipeline's scouting report on Kevin Merrell, who goes to the Royals for Homer Bailey. Merrell was No. 17 in the Athletics' Top 30. pic.twitter.com/8cfhS7LThx
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 14, 2019
Royals Outlook
The Royals will be sellers and are expected to make more deals ahead of the trading deadline. With players like Alex Gordon, Jorge Soler, Danny Duffy, Ian Kennedy, and Whit Merrifield seemingly available, Royals GM Dayton Moore will be a very popular person.
American League notebook: Are Royals preparing to sell? Is Shane Greene the hottest bullpen commodity of the trade season? That and much more. https://t.co/DPGMQnfByN
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) June 1, 2019
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
