Some of us hardcore fans track Royals players from the moment they are signed. Some of these players spend some time in Royals blue at the big league level, only to depart, others never make it to Kansas City, but continue their career bouncing around in other organizations.
Some former Royals signed multi-year contracts last winter, including Ryan O’Hearn with the Pirates, Brad Keller with the Phillies, and Mike Yastrzemski with the Braves. Some were former top prospects that could use a change of scenery, like MJ Melendez with the Mets and Nick Pratto with the Rangers. Former first round pick Foster Griffin returned from a stint in Japan to become a sought-after free agent, signing with the Nationals. Some players have changed positions – Fernando Cruz and Erick Mejia were infielders when they were in the Royals farm system, and now they are pitchers.
Here’s a compilation of players that once played in the Royals organization either as big leaguers or minor leaguers, that are on MLB-affiliated rosters or in Asia to begin the year. These rosters are as of today, and are subject to change.
CJ Alexander, Astros (AAA)
Andrew Benintendi, White Sox
Cavan Biggio, Astros (AAA)
Dairon Blanco, Rangers (AAA)
Mark Canha, Rangers (AAA)
Orlando Calixte, Chunichi Dragons (Japan)
Bobby Dalbec, Yomiuri Giants (Japan)
Paul DeJong, Yankees (AAA)
Cam Devanney, Hanshin Tigers (Japan)
Jared Dickey, Athletics (AA)
Clay Dungan, Padres (AAA)
Nate Eaton, Red Sox (AAA)
Ryan Fitzgerald, Dodgers (AAA)
Jordan Groshans, Braves (AA)
Garrett Hampson, Reds (AAA)
Brewer Hicklen, Braves (AAA)
Nicky Lopez, Rockies (AAA)
Callan Moss, Pirates (AA)
Edward Olivares, Rays (AAA)
Logan Porter, Giants (AAA)
Nick Pratto, Rangers (AAA)
Jakson Reetz, Mariners (AAA)
Franmil Reyes, Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (NPB)
Sebastián Rivero, Angels (AAA)
Esteury Ruiz, Marlins (IL)
Carlos Santana, Diamondbacks
Samad Taylor, Padres (AAA)
Cayden Wallace, Nationals (AA)
Dan Altavilla, Twins (AAA)
Nick Anderson, Athletics (AAA)
Mason Barnett, Athletics (AAA)
Scott Blewett, Cardinals (AAA)
Jonathan Bowlan, Phillies
A.J. Causey, Athletics (AA)
Chandler Champlain, Nationals (AAA)
Taylor Clarke, Diamondbacks
Dylan Coleman, Yankees (AAA)
Austin Cox, Yokohama DeNA BayStars (Japan)
Michael Fulmer, Giants (AAA)
Gerson Garabito, Brewers (AAA)
Ofreidy Gómez, Mets (AAA)
Foster Griffin, Nationals
Jesse Hahn, Blue Jays (AAA)
Patrick Halligan, Red Sox (AAA)
Thomas Hatch, Diamondbacks (AAA)
Taylor Hearn, Hiroshima Toyo Carp (Japan)
Ben Hernandez, Mariners (AA)
Carlos Hernández, Guardians (IL)
Andrew Hoffman, Diamondbacks
Matthew Hoskins, Rays (Low-A)
Rylan Kaufman, White Sox (AA)
Brooks Kriske, Athletics (AAA)
Jackson Kowar, Orioles (AAA)
Ben Lively, Guardians (IL)
Sam Long, Chiba Lotte Marines (Japan)
Michael Lorenzen, Rockies
Elvis Luciano, Yomiuri Giants (Japan)
Andrés Machado, Orix Buffaloes (Japan)
Yunior Marte, Giants (High-A)
Logan Martin, Giants (AA)
Erick Mejia, Nationals (AA)
Wyatt Mills, Dodgers (AAA)
Noah Murdock, Pirates (AAA)
Connor Oliver, Pirates (High A)
Trevor Richards, Phillies (AAA)
Jarold Rosado, White Sox (AA)
David Sandlin, White Sox (AAA)
Colin Selby, Orioles (IL)
T.J. Sikkema, Red Sox (AAA)
Burch Smith, Tigers (AAA)
Collin Snider, Cubs (AAA)
Josh Staumont, Reds (AAA)
Jacob Wallace, Braves (AAA)
Tyler Zuber, Marlins (AAA)