KC Royals: MLB.com predicts Alec Marsh will have a breakout season

MLB.com thinks Alec Marsh of the KC Royals could have a great season in 2021.

The Kansas City Royals drafted Arizona State pitcher Alec Marsh in the second round of the 2019 MLB Draft. Marsh was coming off a collegiate season in which he had a 3.89 ERA through 71.2 innings pitched. The Royals have put a strong emphasis on adding collegiate pitchers through the draft and Marsh was yet another name in that category.

Three different MLB.com writers compiled a list of who they thought each team’s breakout prospect would be in 2021 and for the Royals, Marsh was the pick. Here’s what they had to say about their selection of Marsh,

"The Royals took Marsh in the supplemental second round of the 2019 Draft out of Arizona State — making him the first of six college pitchers taken in the top 10 rounds. He had a brief pro debut after signing for slot value, then opened eyes at Kansas City’s alternate training site, where the 22-year-old right-hander operated with improved velocity and sharper overall stuff en route to multiple strikeout-filled outings."

Marsh threw 33.1 innings for Idaho Falls in 2019 and finished that season with a 4.05 ERA. There was certainly a lot to like about what he did that year and he showed a lot as a starting pitcher. Marsh has spent most of his career as a starter but has made several relief appearances as well, so it’ll be interesting to see where the Royals elect to use him.

Will Alec Marsh be able to live up to these expectations for the KC Royals?

When discussing the future of the Royals’ pitching, Marsh isn’t a name that gets brought up a ton, so this was definitely a name that surprised me. That being said, he has put up impressive numbers in a small sample size since joining the Royals organization.

Marsh is currently ranked as the No. 25 prospect in KC’s system and the 12th best pitching prospect. There are a lot of big name prospects ahead of him in those prospect rankings, but that’s okay. Marsh isn’t someone who’s going to make it to the big leagues in 2021, but the following year, when the Royals are hopefully closer to making a postseason run.

It’ll be interesting to see how this season plays out for Marsh and what he can do in the minor leagues. The Royals have a lot of intriguing pitching prospects in their farm system and while he hasn’t been discussed as much, Alec Marsh could have a special season in the minors this year.