Kansas City Royals need Nick Pratto to pan out

After Ryan O’Hearn was demoted to the minor leagues, the Kansas City Royals are without a true option at first base moving forward (Lucas Duda doesn’t count). This makes it even more critical that Nick Pratto pans out.

I’m sure most of you remember that the Kansas City Royals had a talented first baseman for several years by the name of Eric Hosmer. Prior to Hosmer departing, the team took high school first baseman Nick Pratto with the 14th overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft. Pratto was essentially taken to replace Hosmer in the distant future.

After Hosmer left, the Royals tried a few different things at first base, but really lucked out when Ryan O’Hearn played as well as he did during his rookie campaign. O’Hearn slashed .262/.353/.597 while hitting 12 home runs in 149 at bats last year, but he has not been performing well in his first full year at the helm.

The former eighth round pick is only batting .188 in 186 at bats this year and as mentioned in the opening paragraph, was demoted to Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

With O’Hearn back in the minors, the Royals will likely turn to Lucas Duda for the time being while Hunter Dozier rehabs from his injury. Dozier has played first base throughout his time with the organization, as has Cheslor Cuthbert, but it’s neither player’s preferred position. Dozier and Cuthbert both are typically third basemen.

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With the lack of true first base options moving forward, it’s extremely important that Nick Pratto make his way to the majors and be able to contribute to this team in the future. He’s struggled this year with Wilmington, slashing .160/.259/.225 with 86 strikeouts in 213 at bats.

After the promising 2018 Pratto had with Lexington (.280/.343/.443 in 485 at bats), it’s absolutely still possible that the 2017 first rounder rebounds at some point in 2019. There’s still a lot of season left to be played, but it’s certainly understandable why fans might be worried about his lack of production this year.

The Royals haven’t done a great job at developing their first round talent over the last decade or so, which makes it even more crucial that Pratto succeeds. If he doesn’t, it’s yet another first round selection that has gone on to disappoint.

The Kansas City Royals need to find their first baseman of the future and there was a bit of hope that perhaps Ryan O’Hearn would be that guy, at least in the short-term. Now, however, the Royals don’t have a true option and Pratto looks nowhere near being ready (though it’s worth noting he’s only 20 years old).

Hopefully Pratto turns things around and starts to figure out minor league pitching better. The Royals could really use him when this team is ready to start winning big games again.