Kansas City Royals top ten prospects for 2020
By David Hill
6. Brady McConnell
Minors (RK): 178 plate appearances, .213/.288/.400, 13 doubles, five homers, five steals, 15 walks, 68 strikeouts
Brady McConnell really had just one season in college before being a second round draft pick by the Kansas City Royals last year, but he made that year count.
After playing just nine games as a freshman due to injury, McConnell came back with a vengeance as a draft eligible sophomore. He displayed above average power and athleticism, raising his stock enough to be selected early in the second round by Kansas City.
However, that performance in college did not carry over to the start of his professional career. When McConnell makes contact, he tends to hit the ball squarely, showing a knack for getting the barrel on the ball. The problem is that he will need to refine his approach to make more consistent contact, allowing his power potential and his speed to come into play.
There are also questions about where McConnell will play defensively long term. He was drafted as a shortstop, but the Royals also selected Bobby Witt Jr as the shortstop of the future with the second overall pick of the 2019 MPB Draft. McConnell is not considered to have the best hands at short, which may lead to a move to either second or the outfield.
With a change in approach, and some refinement to his profile, Brady McConnell can be a key part of the Kansas City Royals future. At what position that is, however, is yet to be determined.