Gentry entered the system as a third-round pick in a shortened 2020 draft. He was the 2022 George Brett Hitter of the Year and looks primed and ready to snag an Opening Day roster spot in 2024. He’s well-rounded with an excellent approach at the plate and good line-drive power. A slow start in Omaha last season has been the only real blemish on his minor league career thus far, and the Royals rewarded him with a 40-man roster spot this offseason.

Season Stats:

2021 (High-A): .259/.395/.449, 15.6% BB%, 29.6% K%, 135 wRC+

2022 (High-A): .336/.434/.516, 13.2% BB%, 25.7% K%, 165 wRC+

2022 (AA): .321/.417/.555, 12.1% BB%, 19.9% K%, 146 wRC+

2023 (AAA): .253/.370/.421, 14.2% BB%, 22.2% K%, 103 wRC+

Tyler Gentry exploded onto the scene in 2022 and looked like one of the very best prospects in the entire farm system. He’s shown a strong ability to walk at every level of the minor leagues thus far and has improved his swing-and-miss at just about every level as well. He makes consistent solid contact and has the power to generate loud exit velocity as well.

The Royals took Gentry 76th overall in the 2020 MLB Draft — behind Asa Lacy, Nick Loftin, and Ben Hernandez. Thus far, he looks like he could be the team’s best pick from that year’s shortened draft pool. The Royals added him to the 40-man roster this offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 draft and he should get a chance at the Major Leagues as early as Opening Day next season. More likely, the Royals will have him start the year once again in Omaha and make him an early call-up.

Scouting Grades:

Hit: 55/55

Game Power: 50/50

Raw Power: 50/50

Speed: 50/50

Glove: 55/55

Arm: 50/50

Best Case Scenario:

The best-case scenario for Tyler Gentry is a perennial All-Star as an everyday corner outfielder. I liken his game a bit to Alex Gordon, although Gentry should be a bit more patient at the plate and doesn’t quite have the same arm strength as the former Royals left fielder. Gentry has always had a sound approach throughout every level of the minor leagues and that doesn’t look likely to change after he reaches the big leagues. If he continues developing his power and hit tool, he could be a safe bet for 20-25 home runs a year while hitting around .265.

Worst Case Scenario:

The worst-case scenario for Gentry showed itself some to start last season when he was with the Omaha Storm Chasers. Through the end of June, Gentry was hitting just .230 and his ISO had dipped to .142 on the year. Even then, in the midst of his worst slump to date, Gentry was still walking 10.9% on the year and striking out around average, 24.2% of the time. Last season, Gentry hit just .218 against LHP, versus a much stronger .265 against RHP. If he can’t straighten those platoon splits a bit, then he could become more of a platoon, role player than an everyday left fielder.