2024 Stats
AVG
.000
HR
0
RBI
0
R
0
SB
0
Rest-of-Season Projections
2024 Fantasy Outlook
Known far more for his defense than his offense, Waters probably won't carry much fantasy value this year in standard mixed leagues. Even in AL-only formats, you might have to squint to find the appeal. He stole 16 bases in 98 games last season and also popped eight home runs, but the .228 batting average and .300 on-base percentage left a lot to be desired, especially for a player with above-average speed and excellent defensive range. Waters is a switch-hitter but tends to struggle against lefties and hasn't yet shown enough offensively to be trusted with an everyday major-league gig. A second-round pick in the 2017 MLB Draft out of a high school in Georgia, the now 25-year-old projects to open the 2024 campaign as a glove-first fourth outfielder for the Royals. Read Past Outlooks
RANKSFrom Preseason
#558
ADP
Doesn't make Opening Day roster
The Royals optioned Waters to Triple-A Omaha on Friday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Waters had a solid spring, but Kyle Isbel was better and already had the perceived leg up for the center field job due to his defense. The switch-hitting Waters should still spend ample time in the majors this season but will begin the year at Omaha.
Waters had a solid spring, but Kyle Isbel was better and already had the perceived leg up for the center field job due to his defense. The switch-hitting Waters should still spend ample time in the majors this season but will begin the year at Omaha.
Batting Stats
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2023
2022
2020
Minor League Game Log
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Left/Right Batting Splits
Since 2022
+15%
OPS vs RHP
2024
No Stats
| OPS | PA | HR | RBI | AVG | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since 2022vs Left | .637 | 114 | 2 | 18 | .212 | ||||
| Since 2022vs Right | .732 | 331 | 11 | 32 | .238 | ||||
| 2024vs Left | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2024vs Right | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2023vs Left | .591 | 86 | 0 | 10 | .208 | ||||
| 2023vs Right | .707 | 251 | 8 | 22 | .236 | ||||
| 2022vs Left | .769 | 28 | 2 | 8 | .222 | ||||
| 2022vs Right | .814 | 80 | 3 | 10 | .246 | ||||
| More Splits→ | View More Split Stats | ||||||||
Home/Away Batting Splits
Since 2022
+55%
OPS at Home
2024
No Stats
| OPS | PA | HR | RBI | AVG | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since 2022Home | .868 | 217 | 6 | 29 | .289 | ||||
| Since 2022Away | .559 | 228 | 7 | 21 | .178 | ||||
| 2024Home | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2024Away | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2023Home | .852 | 165 | 4 | 20 | .290 | ||||
| 2023Away | .513 | 172 | 4 | 12 | .172 | ||||
| 2022Home | .918 | 52 | 2 | 9 | .289 | ||||
| 2022Away | .699 | 56 | 3 | 9 | .196 | ||||
| More Splits→ | View More Split Stats | ||||||||
Prospect Rankings History
Advanced Batting Stats
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Additional Stats
Games By Position
Defensive Stats
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Batted Ball Stats
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Stats Vs Upcoming Pitchers
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Debut coming?
With Andrew Benintendi traded, Waters may make his big-league debut sooner rather than later.
ANALYSIS
Waters was recently acquired by the Royals from Atlanta in exchange for the 35th overall pick in the 2022 first-year player draft. The 23-year-old was a consensus top-100 prospect from 2019 to 2021 but fell off those lists before this season after producing a .240/.329/.381 line with 11 homers in 103 games for Triple-A Gwinnett last season. Since being traded, he's been on fire at the plate, posting a .326/.420/.535 line with two homers and seven stolen bases in 50 plate appearances. Kansas City has received little production from Ryan O'Hearn and Kyle Isbel in the corner outfield positions, and Whit Merrifield is likely to be suiting up for another team after the trade deadline. With Waters having over 800 plate appearances at the Triple-A level and the Royals out of contention, it would seem a promotion is likely coming soon.
Waters was recently acquired by the Royals from Atlanta in exchange for the 35th overall pick in the 2022 first-year player draft. The 23-year-old was a consensus top-100 prospect from 2019 to 2021 but fell off those lists before this season after producing a .240/.329/.381 line with 11 homers in 103 games for Triple-A Gwinnett last season. Since being traded, he's been on fire at the plate, posting a .326/.420/.535 line with two homers and seven stolen bases in 50 plate appearances. Kansas City has received little production from Ryan O'Hearn and Kyle Isbel in the corner outfield positions, and Whit Merrifield is likely to be suiting up for another team after the trade deadline. With Waters having over 800 plate appearances at the Triple-A level and the Royals out of contention, it would seem a promotion is likely coming soon.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2021
2020
2019
2018
Atlanta dealt Waters to Kansas City for the 35th-overall pick in the 2022 draft and two low-probability prospects. At the time of the mid-July trade, Waters' stock had slipped so much that many prospectors thought the Royals overpaid. Prior to the trade, the 23-year-old switch hitter had an 83 wRC+ in 49 games at Triple-A after registering a 94 wRC+ in 103 games at that level in 2021. Something clicked after the change of scenery, as Waters hit .295/.399/.541 with seven home runs and 13 steals in 31 games for the Royals' Triple-A affiliate while almost doubling his walk rate (14.0 BB%, up from 7.6%). He got a well-deserved promotion to the majors in late-August and hit .240/.324/.479 with five home runs, an 11.0 BB% and a 36.7 K% in 109 plate appearances while playing all three outfield spots. There is no projection or expected statistic that supports that level of play for Waters heading into 2023, but the Royals' depth chart portends that he will get plenty of work. His combination of power, speed and opportunity makes him a worthwhile consideration in deeper formats.
More Fantasy News
No lock to make big-league roster
Waters could be assigned to Triple-A Omaha if he doesn't win a starting job in spring training, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Out with quad injury
Waters (quad) is not in Sunday's lineup against the Yankees.
ANALYSIS
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Exits with quad injury
Waters was removed from Saturday's game against the Yankees with left quadriceps tightness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Sitting versus lefty
Waters is not in the lineup Friday against the Yankees.
ANALYSIS
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Picks up 16th steal
Waters went 0-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base in Sunday's 6-5 win over the Astros.
ANALYSIS
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