A couple of weeks ago, on February 15, the Kansas City Royals made a rare win-now move.
They added slugger Franmil Reyes on a one-year deal of the minor league variety.
It does contain an invitation to spring training, so Reyes will be playing for a roster spot essentially.
We all know that Reyes, when he is healthy and focused, can do serious damage to a baseball.
He did it in Cleveland, San Diego, and Chicago over the course of the last five seasons.
While he has no real defensive value and his batting average is usually low, there is no question that Reyes can hit long home runs.
If you don’t believe us, let’s check out the distance on the last one he hit in spring training, on Sunday.
It was a three-run blast in Cactus League play that has to be both seen and heard.
“‘There was wind today, but that one didn’t need any help.’ –Matt Quatraro. #Royals. Trackman data had Franmil Reyes’ first spring home run at an estimated 460 feet,” MLB.com’s Anne Rogers, who covers the Royals for the league’s site, tweeted.
“There was wind today, but that one didn’t need any help.” –Matt Quatraro#Royals Trackman data had Franmil Reyes’ first spring home run at an estimated 460 feet.
(📽️: Royals) pic.twitter.com/a3cCvw7Svx
— Anne Rogers (@anne__rogers) February 27, 2023
460 feet.
Rogers was kind enough to add some footage of the blast.
It was truly majestic.
Reyes had one of his worst seasons in MLB last season, with a .221/.273/.365 and 14 home runs in 473 plate appearances between Cleveland and Chicago (he played for the Cubs).
He is capable of much more: he has two 30-homer seasons and one with 27.
He needs consistency and the designated hitter spot to himself, though.
In Kansas City, he could reconstruct his value in a low-stress environment.
He is a name to keep an eye on during the spring.
NEXT:
Aroldis Chapman Is Dealing With A Shocking Spring Injury
