KC Royals: 2025 World Series Champions Part 1 – Infield
By Cody Rickman
First Base – Nick Pratto (ETA – 2022)
Nick Pratto is another hitting prospect who struggled mightily in 2019 and should reap the benefits of the new Royals hitting coordination staff. Kevin O’Brien over at royalsreporter.com wrote up in interesting take on the impact of the new hitting coordination staff and potential lost 2020 season means to the Royals developing bats.
Like Melendez, Pratto has the defensive talent to be a perennial gold glover in the field. Pratto has outstanding instincts, a good arm (threw 88-mph off mound pitching in high school), and good hands at first base. Pratto is also one of the most instinctive baserunners in the Royals system and will steal bases at an excellent clip for a first baseman with 10+ per year.
If Pratto can develop his offensive game at the plate, he is capable of hitting .260 with 19-22 home runs with a .340 on-base-percentage. He has the pedigree and swing to out-perform those projections with his selective approach as long he starts to make more consistent hard contact at the plate.
In 2025, Pratto will be entering his age 27 season and his third full season in the MLB. A slash line of .280/.350/.460 with 25 home runs would put the Royals in a good position with his exceptional defense at first base.
Pratto reminds me a lot of former Royal Doug Mientkiewicz who in his age 27 season put up a .306/.387/.464 slash line with 55 extra base hits and a gold glove.
Second Base – Nick Gonzales (ETA – 2022/2023)
The Kansas City Royals have the fourth overall selection in the upcoming 2020 amateur draft and I have been very vocal about my want for the Royals to draft Nick Gonzales out of New Mexico State University with this pick.
Nick Gonzales was on an absolute tear at the plate for New Mexico State before the coronavirus outbreak put a halt to the 2020 NCAA season. When the season ended after 16 games, Gonzales was hitting .448/.610/1.155 with 12 homeruns, 21 walks vs 10 Ks, and four for five in stolen base attempts.
Gonzales was splitting time between shortstop and second base with the hopes of increasing his draft stock. He has a limited ceiling defensively but should consistent at second base with good hands, solid footwork, and a slightly above average arm. There’s enough instinct and speed there to nab 10 stolen bases annually.
Gonzales has the potential to be an outstanding hitter capable of producing a .280 avg, .350 OBP with 15-18 home runs and 30+ doubles per year. I would have loved to see how ridiculous the numbers were going to get for Gonzales in the collegiate ranks this year, as he is a safe bet to be one of the best bats in the 2020 draft.
In 2025, Gonzales will be entering his age 26 season and his third full season in the MLB. A slash line of .300/.350/.460 with 60 extra base hits would be ideal for the Royals.
Gonzales reminds me a lot of current Royal Whit Merrifield in his hitting ability to generate 50+ extra base hits and a high batting average.