Kansas City Royals Top Ten Prospects For 2017

10. Seuly Matias, OF

Birthdate: 9/4/98 (18 years old)
Level(s) Played in 2016: rookie
Stats in 2016: .250/.348/.477, 8 HR, 2 SB

Arguably the most toolsy player in the entire system, Matias was signed last July 2nd out of the Dominican Republic. Scouts loved his bat speed and defensive ability coming into the signing period.

Matias got a brief introduction at the Dominican Summer League until the Arizona Fall League opened as the Royals got as many reps for Matias as possible. He’s already filled out his 6’3 frame to roughly 215 pounds, yet he’s easily able to handle center field due to high-level athleticism.

I did have a couple of scouts voice concern that Matias grew possibly too quickly for his own good as he could struggle with “bad weight” and the effect this has on his speed on the bases and one scout reported it altered his swing path.

The raw power is absolutely still there, however, and I had a report as high as 75 on the 20 to 80 scale on his raw power ability, which is an incredibly elite number. He showed the raw-ness you’d expect from a guy in his first exposure to professional ball in controlling the strike zone, with way too much swing and miss, but it’s hard to argue with the 22 extra base hits in just 196 total at bats.

Matias will likely be bumped to the Pioneer League next season, and if his body filling out causes him to move off center field, his plus-plus arm in the outfield will allow him to be a solid right fielder.

Next: #9