Kyle DeGroat showcased his stuff during a late-season call-up last year to the Columbia (S.C.) Fireflies, the Kansas City Royals’ Class A affiliate in the Carolina League, by throwing 3.1 hitless innings in his first outing.
However, DeGroat was shut down after just one outing due to shoulder tendinitis. Even on the bench, DeGroat gained seasoning by watching the Fireflies advance all the way to the Carolina League Championship.
DeGroat’s shoulder is now good to go, and he is eager to build on what was a successful season, just a year removed from pitching at Wallkill High School.
“Anyone who plays sports knows that the playoffs are a different atmosphere, a different animal,” said DeGroat, a right-handed starting pitcher, who turns 20 later this month. “I got to see how the team reacted during good and bad moments, during times when it was gut-wrenching. You see first-hand what it takes to get to a championship, and it shows you where you need to be mentally.”
DeGroat began last season in the Arizona Complex League (ACL). The ACL is a rookie-level minor league baseball league that operates in and around Phoenix. ACL teams play at the minor league spring training complexes of their parent Major League Baseball clubs. DeGroat went 1-1 with a 4.11 ERA in 46 innings, spanning 12 games, including 11 starts. He struck out 41 batters with 16 walks with a fastball that consistently hit 92-93 mph.
The Royals selected DeGroat out of Wallkill High in the 14th round (407th overall) in the July 2024 MLB draft. DeGroat had verbally committed to play at the University of Texas, but opted to start his pro career, signing for approximately $350,000, according to Baseball America.
DeGroat will pick up his throwing regimen in the coming weeks and depart for spring training late next month. He would project to start the season in at least the Carolina League with Columbia. However, DeGroat, seemingly mature well beyond his age, is focused as much on his development and performance as on the next promotion.
“I just come prepared and try to make the most out of my opportunities,” DeGroat said. “You can’t control things that are uncontrollable and out of your hands. You can control your work ethic, your sleeping, your preparation, and your training. I am just going to keep going out of my business and make the most out of every day.”