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3 Royals Who Will Be Rookie of the Year Candidates in 2020

By Max Smith

Brady Singer could be able to step right into the Royals rotation.
Brady Singer could be able to step right into the Royals rotation. / Jamie Squire/Getty Images

The Kansas City Royals are primed for a transitional 2020 MLB season. With the emergence of both Adalberto Mondesi and Jorge Soler last season, Royals fans are excited to see what they can bring to the table in 2020. There will also be quite a few rookies playing in Kansas City this season. These are our three picks for those rookies that will have the best shot at taking home the AL Rookie of the Year this season.

3. Kahlil Lee

Khalil Lee has devastating speed.
Khalil Lee has devastating speed. / Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Ranked as the eighth-best prospect in the Royals system, Khalil Lee is expected to break into the MLB this season. At only 21, he is already showing great progression. Lee is an outstanding athlete and will be a base-stealing threat the day he makes the jump to the MLB. Lee was voted the Royals AA player of the year in 2018 and took another big jump in 2019, stealing 53 (!) bases.

2. Jackson Kowar

Kowar's resume is extremely promising heading into 2020.
Kowar's resume is extremely promising heading into 2020. / Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Kowar, ranked as the fourth-best prospect in the Royals farm system, is a 23-year-old right-handed pitcher who made 26 appearances between A and AA last season. Kowar was a first-round pick in 2018 after a dominant career at the University of Florida in Gainesville. He stands 6-5 with a fastball that can hit upper 90s. Last year in the minors, Kowar kept a 3.52 ERA between A and AA, which is extremely promising for his first professional season.

1. Brady Singer

Brady Singer will contend for the AL Rookie of the Year this season.
Brady Singer will contend for the AL Rookie of the Year this season. / Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Brady Singer and Kowar are very similar. They were teammates at Florida and both stand at 6-5. However, Singer is the superior prospect. Singer has a full arsenal of pitches, including a deadly slurve, that leaves hitters puzzled. Singer is ranked as the 59th best prospect in all of baseball and is sure to have a solid MLB career. He is sure to make his MLB debut in the 2020 season, whenever that may be.