Kansas City Royals: Arizona Fall League Fall-Stars Update
By Cody Rickman
Daniel Lynch LHP, Starting Pitcher
- Arizona Fall League (stats): 0.82 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 17 Ks, 3 BBs, 0 HRs allowed in 11.0 Innings
Daniel Lynch has made himself into a top prospect in the Royals system after being drafted 34th overall in the 2018 draft. Lynch had a fantastic rookie season of professional ball in 2018 and started off the 2019 campaign with steady performances in April and May.
Lynch was removed from a start on June 1st due to injury and his development in 2019 looked like it could be stunted. The Royals front office opted for Lynch to make appearances for the championship bound A+ Wilmington Blue Rocks and finish the season in the Arizona Fall League.
Lynch has been exceptional in his appearances in the Arizona Fall League with his innings shortened out of respect for health. If Lynch can remain healthy and continue to develop consistent mechanics with his delivery, his arsenal projects him to be a number two/three type starter for the Royals.
If everything goes right in his development, he could be expected to provide 175 innings of 3.50 ERA pitching with WHIP around 1.250 and a K/9 around 8.0 putting him into the conversation as a potential future MLB All-Star.
Brewer Hicklen, Outfielder
- Arizona Fall League (stats): .184/.340/.289, 1 2Bs, 1 HRs, 5 BB, 20 K, 3/6 SBs in 38 at-bats
Brewer Hicklen, the multi-sport athlete selected by the Royals in the seventh round of the 2017 draft, has shown he is still raw in his development as a baseball prospect. Hicklen possesses plus power and speed, but is still developing his pitch recognition and patience.
The more advanced pitching he sees the better for his development. His short and compact swing suggests he may be able to hit for a consistent average once he develops more plate discipline. The power appears easy when he makes good contact and the speed on the base-paths is apparent.
Hicklen has struggled at the plate to make consistent contact in the Arizona Fall League striking out in 52.6% of his at-bats. Hicklen is a fantastic athlete who has those tantalizing power and speed tools, but needs his plate discipline to continue to development.
Hicklen could develop into a .260 average, +20 home run and 30 stolen bases outfielder that brings consistent defense every night if he develops better pitch recognition and plate discipline.