Check out our first piece of our 2019 mid-season Royals prospect rankings
#63: Xavier Fernandez, C
- Age: 23 (July 15, 1995)
- Birthplace: Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
- Bats/Throws: R/R
- Ht: 5′ 11″ Wt: 197
- Acquired: 2013 MLB Draft
- 2019 stats (Omaha): 60 PA, .291/.328/.455/.782, 3 2B, 2 HR, 5 K, 3 BB
X has put on a bit of weight since last season, but he still looks like he’s doing great behind home plate. He’s an excellent receiver and blocker behind home plate, and I’ve heard a couple of Royals pitching prospects rave about his game calling/game management abilities. X threw out 20 of 34 potential base stealers (58.8%) in 2018 across A+ and AA, and has seen that number dip a bit to 7/18 (38.9%) in 2019. He’s not fantastic when it comes to throwing, but he should at least be serviceable, even at the big league level. The wild card: the bat. There’s an outside shot that, if Cam Gallagher doesn’t perform, X could be the backup to Salvador Perez in 2020.
Want all the low down on Brady Singer and NW Arkansas? Our own Alex is in attendance tonight.
Royals Farm Report 