This offseason, the Royals have added two former top-100 prospects in baseball to the organization. Centerfielder Joey Wiemer was acquired, along with Jonathan India, in the trade that sent Brady Singer to the Cincinnati Reds on November 22nd. The following day, third basemen Jordan Groshans signed a minor league contract with the Royals. Both players have limited MLB experience and will most likely begin their time in Omaha to get their feet under them in a new organization. They provide intriguing upside that could benefit the Royals as early as 2025.
Wiemer has a good mix of power and speed
Wiemer was drafted in the 4th round of the 2020 MLB Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers and quickly garnered attention. He was named the 2021 Brewers Minor League Player of the Year after slashing .295/.403/.556 with 27 HR and 30 SB. It would be unfair to expect that output every year, but he hasn’t come particularly close to matching what he was able to do that season in Low-A and High-A. 2024 was by far his least productive season, as he slashed .224/.351/.312 with 3 HRs in 353 PA between two Triple-A teams. The power and ability on the basepaths that he showed early in his career has declined, although he hit 13 HRs and stole 11 bases in 132 games played with the Brewers’ major league squad in 2023. He still plays a solid centerfield and is known for his cannon of an arm. He has undeniable tools that need to be shown more consistently.
Groshans brings a solid plate approach
Groshans was drafted 12th overall in the 2018 MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays. Like Wiemer, he also started hot out of the gate, playing 48 rookie ball games in 2018 and slashing .296/.353/.446. His most impressive minor league season was likely his 2021 season where he slashed .291/.367/.450 over 75 games in Double-A. He has limited power, only hitting 27 home runs in 1,962 plate appearances in the minors, and has little upside on the basepaths (4 career stolen bases). He doesn’t strike out often, only posting a 17.5 K% in 2024 while maintaining a serviceable walk rate of 9.9%. His only major league experience came with the Miami Marlins in 2022, and he slashed .262/.308/.311 in 65 PA. Despite the typical power profile you want to see in a third base prospect, he has a solid enough approach at the plate to contribute on offense. His defensive numbers are a little lackluster, with a .934 FPCT at third base, but he is known to have a solid arm on the hot corner.
What can we expect from the pair in 2025?
It is more likely than not that both Wiemer and Groshans will begin the season in Omaha and have the chance to prove themselves to be consistent producers at the uppermost level of the minors. Their addition to the Omaha roster would give the Storm Chasers four former top 100 prospects, including Nick Pratto and Drew Waters. This could be a very fun and competitive Storm Chasers team. If he has a strong spring, I see more of an immediate path for Wiemer to the major league roster. He will likely compete with Drew Waters to be the 2nd centerfield option behind Kyle Isbel. The best-case scenario for Wiemer is to be the 4th/5th outfielder on the 26-man roster.
Groshans will have a chance to play in Kansas City in 2025 with a strong performance in Omaha. What will the Royals do if Maikal Garcia’s struggles continue into next year? Could he be relegated to a bench/utility role, optioned to Omaha, or traded, opening the door for Groshans to get an opportunity? Groshans should slide in and be the opening-day starter at third base for the Storm Chasers after the departures of Nate Eaton and CJ Alexander. There is always the chance of having to fill in for an injury as well.
I am glad to see the Royals taking chances on players with high upside, even if the results haven’t been there yet. It doesn’t hurt to give them a chance to work with the Royals’ staff to see if they can unlock some of their potential in a new organization. These are the types of moves that successful organizations make, and it’s refreshing to see the Royals pursuing these low-cost, high-reward signings. If one of Wiemer or Groshans contributes even modestly to the major league club this season, it’s 100% worth it. At a minimum, they should be solid contributors to an Omaha team that made it to the Triple-A National Championship game this past season.
Image credit: Curt Hogg/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel