The Kansas City Royals have been rebuilding their minor league system over the past two seasons. Not just through draft and trades but by acquiring some of the top minds in baseball to help develop their players. Coach Ari Adut is one of those minds. He began his career with the Yankees as a hitting coach in their Dominican Summer League before heading to Philadelphia in a similar role. Now he’s part of the Royals’ organization as a hitting coach for the Columbia Fireflies.
Adut is a key member of a coaching staff in Columbia that will be working with prospects such as Blake Mitchell, Austin Charles, Milo Rushford, and Daniel Vazquez. The Fireflies lineup at the end of 2023 — with Trevor Werner, Carson Roccaforte, and Brett Squires — had some of the highest OBP of any draft class. I was lucky enough to chat with Coach Adut about the coming season as well as the transition for prospects heading to Low-A for the first time.
A conversation with Royals’ minor league hitting coach, Ari Adut
Sean Hackett: You come from two of the premiere systems in baseball. Philadelphia and the New York Yankees. What has the experience with the Royals organization been like since you came here?
Coach Adut: Having experienced both systems with the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Yankees, I’ve had the opportunity to grow in various aspects, both on and off the field. My time with the Royals has been incredibly positive. The leadership and support from [General Manager] J.J. Picollo, Alec Zumwalt, Keoni DeRenne, Mitch Maier, Drew Saylor, and many others have made my experience here truly enjoyable. Being a part of our top-down approach has been rewarding, and I eagerly look forward to its continued growth.
Hackett: From your standpoint – what is easier for players as they enter Low-A ball from Rookie Ball at the Arizona Complex League and what is more difficult?
Coach Adut: As players transition from Rookie Ball to Low-A, the ease comes from their familiarity with our consistent daily preparation routine, aligning with the approach across all levels, including the major leagues. However, challenges vary. A common hurdle involves adjusting to the demanding schedule of six consecutive games with just one day off. This necessitates significant physical and mental preparation for consistent peak performance, which may take time for many players. For some, it’s their first experience living away from home or family for an extended period. Monica Ramirez, Matt Marasco, Nick Leto, Jorge Guzman, and others play a crucial role in preparing and supporting them during this transition. Our plans and ongoing collaboration ensure players receive the necessary support.
Hackett: Coaching, from my standpoint, is an educational career that is results-based. How do you balance the competitive reality with the patience for a talented athlete to adjust their technique, skills, or insight?
Coach Adut: To strike a balance between the demands of competition and the necessity for talented athletes to refine their techniques, skills, and insights, we rely on established systems and processes. Nurturing skills amid in the heat of competition poses challenges, but it’s our responsibility to absorb all pertinent information to position players for both immediate and long-term success. Maintaining a holistic perspective, I think of it as simultaneously keeping one foot in the present and one in the future. Regular collaboration with various staff and departments aids in formulating plans, defining actionable steps, tracking progress & regressions, and measuring results whenever possible. This comprehensive approach is designed to create a bigger runway for continual organizational growth.
A focus on winning while navigating a variety of player skill levels
Hackett: How much freedom are you given to experiment with a player vs following a set plan for them to get elevated to the next level within such a tight timeline?
Coach Adut: We have a system that we believe in, but we’re also afforded the freedom to actively contribute to its ongoing evolution. This speaks volumes about the leadership within our hitting department, particularly Drew Saylor, Alec Zumwalt, Keoni DeRenne, and others. They foster an environment where we not only follow a set plan but are encouraged to experiment and contribute to the continuous improvement of our approach. It’s a collaborative atmosphere where our plans for player development are not only effective but also adaptive to the evolving needs and challenges within timelines.
Hackett: Sometimes a Low-A team will have an International Player or Prep School Player who will likely need a full season (or more) in Columbia. Then you’ll have college players that might only need a small amount of innings in Low A. How do you create unison within training the two groups?
Coach Adut: Fostering a team environment throughout our organization is a core value for us. Our top-down approach simplifies training coordination because, as I mentioned in a previous response, players understand that the methods employed at each level mirror those of our major league team. This not only makes training more cohesive but also reinforces our organizational values consistently across all levels.
Hackett: How difficult is it to keep the team focused on winning if adjustments are being made on almost a daily basis? What are the steps taken by the staff to stay collected and positive?
Coach Adut: The players prioritize winning, that is where their focus tends to be. While occasional reminders may be necessary, our players in the system genuinely want to win and develop. Baseball, inherently, demands constant adjustments. It’s a matter of how quickly we learn to adapt and recognize when the game signals it’s time for change. Adjustments in our approach exhibit variability. Some adaptations take time, others happen swiftly; some require failure, while others stem from success. Certain adjustments necessitate navigating through both failure and success. The key lies in staying committed to the adjustment and not deviating at the first signs of success or failure. We emphasize making adjustments without reactive responses, and this is where our plan and process serve as our guiding North Star.
The Fireflies are a key affiliate to watch in 2024 with plenty of relevance for the Royals
Coach Adut and the Fireflies are now two months from the start of their 2024 season. The season will certainly present a variety of talent. There will be top prospects looking to prove themselves, such as Blake Wolters and Blake Mitchell. There will be others hoping to bounce back such as Daniel Vazquez and Wilmer Candelario. Finally, there will be newcomers hoping to elevate themselves into the upper echelon of prospects, such as Milo Rushford and Erick Torres.
Although official rosters won’t be announced until well into spring training, one thing is for certain: The Fireflies are a team to watch this season for Royals fans everywhere.