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Kansas City Royals: Rule 5 Draft Targets for 2020

By Cody Rickman

SECAUCUS, NJ - JUNE 03: Kansas City Royals team reps Reggie Sanders and Kyle Vena pose for a photo prior to the 2019 Major League Baseball Draft at Studio 42 at the MLB Network on Monday, June 3, 2019 in Secaucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
SECAUCUS, NJ - JUNE 03: Kansas City Royals team reps Reggie Sanders and Kyle Vena pose for a photo prior to the 2019 Major League Baseball Draft at Studio 42 at the MLB Network on Monday, June 3, 2019 in Secaucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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Royals mascot Slugger waves the flag prior to the game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Kansas City Royals on Friday May 10, 2019 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Royals mascot Slugger waves the flag prior to the game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Kansas City Royals on Friday May 10, 2019 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Rule 5 Draft is quickly approaching on December 12th. The Kansas City Royals have four open spots on their 40-man Roster. Who is available in the Rule 5 Draft and who presents the skills to contribute to the Royals roster in 2020?

The Kansas City Royals have had some good fortune in the Rule 5 Draft in recent memory, drafting Joakim Soria in 2006. Soria would go on to excel as the Royals closer for the next five seasons earning two All-Star selections in that time.

Soria would pitch 315.1 innings carrying a 2.40 ERA and collect 160 saves in his five seasons with the Royals after being selected in the Rule 5 draft. Joakim Soria was one of the best Rule 5 selections in Royals history.

The Kansas City Royals also had great fortune in the 2017 Rule 5 Draft selecting Brad Keller. Keller has gone on to be arguably the most valuable starting pitcher for the Royals in 2018 and 2019. Keller pitched 305.2 innings of 3.68 ERA, 1.332 WHIP, 218 Ks since his selection and will be a building block starter for future starting rotations.

The 2019 Rule 5 Draft offers some interesting possible selections, whether or not any of these players will progress into a promising contributor is yet to be seen. Here are some possible selections who could provide value to the Royals 2020 roster:

Andy Ibáñez, Infielder (TEX)

Andy Ibáñez, the 26-year-old infielder, has put together a fine season for AAA Nashville Sounds hitting .300/.375/.497 with 30 2Bs, 1 3B, 20 HRs, 7/14 stolen bases.

Ibáñez was a standout prospect on the Cuba international team before signing with the Rangers in 2015. Ibáñez has a short compact swing, which makes him difficult to strikeout and produces solid gap-to-gap power. Ibáñez has had some issues with breaking balls, but he has produced consistent hitting numbers during his minor league career (.285/.352/.443 in 1,732 minor league at-bats).

Ibáñez has a high floor and is likely to be at least an average MLB regular. He has shown positional versatility and can play average defense at second base, third base, and first base. He’s seen some time at shortstop, but his athleticism and arm are limited in that role.

The current Rangers infielder has the potential to be a .270 hitter (with an added 60 points via OBP), with 11-14 home runs (better gap power hitter), the athleticism to provide average defense at multiple positions, and steal 7-10 bases a year.

Ibáñez makes sense for the Royals if Alex Gordon decides to retire and the Royals move Whit Merrifield to full time Left Fielder. Ibáñez would be a great option to play all of the infield positions being a super utility player.

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