Kansas City Royals: Getting to know undrafted free agent signings
By Cody Rickman
A.J. Block, LHP Pitcher (22-years-old)
A.J. Block is a 6’5”, 218 pound, left-handed pitcher from Washington State University. He ranked #20 on the Baseball America top undrafted Seniors list. Block has been drafted twice, going in the 39th round in 2016 draft to the Chicago Cubs and 17th round in 2019 to the Detroit Tigers.
After struggling on the mound in his freshman, sophomore, and junior years, Block began the 2020 NCAA season pitching 3.25 ERA, 1.193 WHIP, 34 Ks, 0 HR allowed in 27.2 innings in four starts.
Block has continued to put on strength and muscle weight during his time at Washington State going from 180 lbs as a freshman to 218 lbs as a senior. He has long-arms and his extension give his fastball higher perceived velocity. The 12-6 curveball and slider show good shape and movement. He repeats his delivery well and works with a quick tempo.
Block has good feel for his pitches and his command to both sides of the plate appears to be plus. His breaking balls are each above-average. Block has the ability to be workhorse with his command and off-speed pitches and he projects to be a back-end of the rotation type starter.
If Block continues to get stronger and finds more velocity with his fastball, he could project favorably as a number 4/5 type starter. He is another undrafted free agent capable of moving quickly through the Royals farm system.
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The Kansas City Royals had a fantastic day first day signing undrafted free agents. Following all of the good publicity the Royals front office and ownership has received when they made the decisions to pay their minor league players through the year, this is no surprise.
I expect the organization to make a few more signings this week, but as it stands right now the Kansas City Royals are far and above the rest of the league with premium signings.