10. Yefri Del Rosario
Minors: Did not play – injured
Yefri Del Rosario took a rather different route to become a member of the Kansas City Royals.
He had originally been signed by the Atlanta Braves as an international free agent, getting a $1 million signing bonus. However, he was later cut loose due to the Braves signing infractions, allowing the Royals to swoop in and snag him for a $650,000 bonus of their own. He was considered to be one of the more talented prospects that the Braves lost as part of their punishment, and it is easy to see why that was the case.
When healthy, Del Rosario has some impressive stuff. His fastball sits in the mid 90s, and has been clocked as high as 97 MPH. It is thought that, as he matures physically, he can add even more velocity to the heater. He has a curve/slider hybrid with a sharp break and a developing change as his secondary offerings, both of which have the potential to be plus pitches.
The biggest issue with Del Rosario is his health. The Braves and Royals had eased him into a starter role, and then he missed all of last season with a nerve issue in his pitching arm. If he is able to come back healthy, and continue to develop his burgeoning change, he has the potential to develop into a Yordano Ventura type of starter. Considering Del Rosario idolized Ventura, which played a part in his signing with the Royals, it would be fitting if he did become that type of pitcher.
Of course, Yefri Del Rosario needs to be healthy first. If that happens, they may have the second coming of Yordano Ventura in a few years.