MAY 28, 2021 • TRIBLIVE.COM
KYLE ISBEL #28 - CENTER FIELDER - KANSAS CITY ROYALS
7 HR •
40 RBI •
.226 AVG
7 HR
40 RBI
.226 AVG
Pirates farm report for May 27, 2021: Cruz hits 3rd homer for Altoona INDIANAPOLIS (Triple-A, 11-9) lost 6-5 to Omaha (Royals) on a walk-off RBI single by LF Kyle Isbel off LHP Braeden Ogle. RHP James Marvel st...
Minor sharp as Royals roll to 6-2 win over Mize, Tigers
Mike Minor held Detroit hitless until the fifth inning, and Andrew Benintendi and Ryan O’Hearn homered off Casey Mize to lift the Kansas City Royals to a 6-2 victory over the Tiger...APRIL 24, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Optioned off roster Isbel was optioned off the active roster Friday, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Impact Isbel won a spot on the Royals' Opening Day roster, something of a surprise considering he'd never played above High-A and was a below-average hitter in 52 games at that level in 2019. He looked overmatched in 12 major-league games so far this season, as it took a clearly unsustainable .474 BABIP just to get him to a poor .265/.306/.324 line. He struck out in 41.7 percent of his plate appearances. Isbel could return at some point this season but did nothing in his brief cameo to suggest he'll be an exciting fantasy option if and when that happens.
APRIL 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Out again vs. lefty Isbel is not in Tuesday's lineup against the Rays.
Impact He will once again head to the bench with a lefty (Rich Hill) starting for Tampa Bay. Hunter Dozier will start in right field while Hanser Alberto gets the nod at the hot corner.
APRIL 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Idle versus lefty Isbel is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rays.
Impact After being on the bench for five straight games while managing an unspecified injury, Isbel checked back into the lineup Sunday and went 2-for-3 with a walk in the Royals' 2-0 win over the Blue Jays. Though the lefty-hitting Isbel still appears to be the Royals' top option in right field, he'll take a seat Monday with southpaw Josh Fleming on the mound for Tampa Bay. The Royals will add an extra right-handed bat (Hanser Alberto) to the lineup as a replacement for Isbel.
APRIL 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Returns to action Sunday Isbel (undisclosed) is starting in left field and batting eighth Sunday against the Blue Jays.
Impact The 23-year-old was scratched from Thursday's lineup for unspecified reasons and remained on the bench for both ends of Saturday's doubleheader, but he's back in the lineup for Sunday's series finale. Isbel has a .250/.276/.321 slash line with one triple, five runs, three RBI and one stolen base through his first nine big-league games.
APRIL 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Ray scheduled to start for Toronto at Kansas City
The Toronto Blue Jays play the Kansas City RoyalsAPRIL 18, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Remains out of lineup Isbel (undisclosed) isn't starting the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against Toronto, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.
Impact Isbel didn't appear in Saturday's matinee, and Jorge Soler will take his place in right field for Game 2 while Salvador Perez serves as the designated hitter. It's not yet clear whether Isbel will be available off the bench for the nightcap.
APRIL 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Not starting Game 1 Isbel (undisclosed) isn't starting the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Blue Jays.
Impact Isbel was scratched from Thursday's lineup against Toronto for an unspecified reason, and he'll remain on the bench for Saturday's matinee. Hunter Dozier will start in right field in the first game of the twin bill while Hanser Alberto takes over at third base.
APRIL 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Minor scheduled to start for Royals against Blue Jays
The Kansas City Royals host the Toronto Blue JaysAPRIL 17, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Matz expected to start for the Blue Jays against Royals
The Toronto Blue Jays visit the Kansas City RoyalsAPRIL 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Scratched from lineup Isbel was scratched from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Blue Jays for an unspecified reason.
Impact Isbel was initially slated to start in right field Thursday, but Hunter Dozier will now serve as the right fielder while Hanser Alberto enters the lineup at third base. While the Royals haven't yet provided a reason for Isbel's removal from the lineup, the Blue Jays announced their starting pitcher late Thursday, so it's possible that Kansas City's new lineup is simply to provide better matchups.
APRIL 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Not starting Wednesday Isbel isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Angels.
Impact Isbel will sit for a second consecutive game after hitting just .105 with a walk and 12 strikeouts in the past six contests. Jorge Soler will start in right field Wednesday while Salvador Perez serves as the designated hitter.
APRIL 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Heads to bench Tuesday Isbel is not in Tuesday's lineup against the Angels, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Impact The promising rookie had five hits in his first two games but is hitting .105 with 12 strikeouts and one walk over his last six games. He has at least managed to chip in a steal over that cold stretch. Jarrod Dyson will start in right field and bat eighth.
APRIL 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Sits for first time Isbel will sit for the first time this season Monday against Cleveland.
Impact Isbel started each of the Royals' first three games in right field, grabbing five hits in 13 at-bats while striking out five times. Jorge Soler will move from the designated hitter spot to man the position in his absence, with Ryan McBroom making his first start of the season as the designated hitter.
APRIL 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Records stolen base Isbel went 0-for-4 with a stolen base and three strikeouts in Sunday's 7-3 loss to the Rangers.
Impact Isbel got on base due to Rangers catcher Jonah Heim's second-inning error. Isbel was able to steal second base but couldn't come around to score. The 24-year-old outfielder went 5-for-13 (.385) with three RBI, three runs scored, a triple and five strikeouts in his first three major-league games. As long as he keeps hitting reasonably well, he should maintain a starting role in right field.
APRIL 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Three hits in major-league debut Isbel went 3-for-5 with two RBI in Thursday's 14-10 win over the Rangers.
Impact The 24-year-old singled to score Carlos Santana in the middle of a five-run first inning. Isbel added an infield single to plate Salvador Perez for an insurance run in the seventh. Thursday was Isbel's major-league debut. The third-round pick from 2018 posted a .216/.282/.361 slash line with five homers and 23 RBI in 52 games for Single-A Wilmington in 2019 before spending all of last year at the Royals' alternate training site. Isbel opens 2021 as the primary right fielder. He hit seventh on Opening Day, but more strong performances could move him up the lineup eventually.
APRIL 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
