Right before the 2022 MLB Draft, the Braves traded Andrew Hoffman and then top prospect Drew Waters to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for the 35th pick in the MLB Draft — that pick would eventually become High School right-handed Pitcher JR Ritchie. Atlanta didn’t have space in their outfield for Waters, and the farm system needed a fresh infusion of younger talent to help clear the logjam in AAA. Now, Waters is getting the call for his new team:
The #Royals recalled OF Drew Waters from Triple-A Omaha and optioned OF Nate Eaton. Waters will make his MLB debut today.
— Anne Rogers (@anne__rogers) August 22, 2022
Waters wouldn’t have been Atlanta’s top prospect for much longer with the emergence of Vaughn Grissom, but there’s still some upside, and he should get every opportunity with the Royals. Since being traded and assigned to AAA Omaha, Waters has put up a .950 OPS — including five doubles, two triples, and seven home runs over 31 games. He’s still striking out at a pretty high rate, 28.7%, which was always an issue in Atlanta. Perhaps Waters can overcome those struggles in the majors, and I know personally, I will be rooting for the kid to make an impact.
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Photographer: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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