Kansas City Royals top 10 prospects for 2019

9. Kyle Isbel, OF

Birthday: 3/3/1997 (21)
Acquired: Draft, 3rd Round, 2018
Level(s): short-season A-ball Idaho Falls, low-A Lexington
Statistics: .326/.389/.504, 64 G, 293 PA, 22 2B, 2 3B, 7 HR, 24 SB, 8.9% BB, 20.5% K

Drafted out of UNLV as one of the few bats in a heavy college pitching draft in 2018, Kyle Isbel showed incredibly well in his first pro experience, tearing through the Northwest League and continuing to show well with low-A Lexington, leading them to a South Atlantic League championship.

Isbel came out of college as a centerfielder, but he showed in his first season and in instructs an ability to play all three outfield positions at a high level along with taking balls at second base during infield during the season and at fall instructs. That level of versatility would be very useful if Isbel does not develop into a full-time player, though his first season would suggest that full-time is not out of the question.

Isbel is a stout build, listed 5’11”, but probably generous by an inch or two. He shows plus speed as well as power that is a tick above-average, though it’s more gap power. Isbel is a guy who fits well at the top of a lineup, and he should continue to move quickly, likely opening 2019 in an A-ball league, but he could certainly finish in AA by the end of 2019.