There is something important to get out of the way before we start our in-season discussion and analysis of prospects. All ballparks are not built the same. “Obviously” you roll your eyes and say, thinking about Yankee Stadium or the Royals’ very own Kauffman Stadium. What draws me to this sentiment, though, is that we aren’t always considering this as we look at the stat lines of our young players. Power Alleys are wider. Line drives scrape the tops of short walls, and odd angles in centerfield create depth in random places.
Most prospects in the Royals’ organization tend to see a surge in power as they make their way up the system and it rarely translates to the big league level. This is because the parks they call home tend to benefit them as developing hitters. For better or for worse it is much easier for a small-framed second baseman to hit 15 bombs for the Naturals in Springdale than it is for the Royals in Kansas City. We’ll start with the big league club for the control, then trudge our way from the bottom of the minors.
Kansas City Royals – Kauffman Stadium
Dimensions: 330′ (L), 410′ (C), 330′ ®
A true pitcher’s park and one of the last ones remaining from the cookie-cutter generation of the 1970s. Kauffman features a long, sweeping outfield wall and traditional depth to the corners. The fans and players are treated to an expansive outfield that is as hard to cover as it is to hit out of. We all know and love it, at least we will until they build a new one. It features a great, and frankly underrated, gameday experience that fans should love.
Columbia Fireflies – Segra Park
Dimensions: 319′ (L), 400′ (C), 330′ ®
Segra Park is a quaint ballpark that has a very new feel to it, with the team being established just eight years ago in 2016. It almost feels like a collegiate stadium as it has similar dimensions to one. Left field is the shallowest part of the park, but stays more of a traditional size than some major league parks. Something worth noting is that the shape is a little funky as you travel down the outfield walls to straightaway center. The wall cuts back to get to the listed 400 ft. depth, meaning that the power alleys are going to be a little more accessible to guys with less pop. Look for a bit of a power surge for line-drive hitters who spray the ball well.
A park like this one is susceptible to wall-scrapers but offers a fairly traditional shape and dimensions. As a natural landing spot for top draft prospects by the end of their first season, power numbers can be respected. However, they should be taken with a grain of salt, as the park appeals to complete hitters such as a prototypical top draft pick (specifically righties).
Quad Cities – Modern Woodmen Park
Dimensions: 343′ (L), 400′ (C), 318′ ®
Modern Woodmen Park may be the most beautiful park in the Royals’ system with the Mississippi River in the background, a bridge going across the skyline, and a functioning Ferris wheel in left field. It’s the quintessential minor league park, making sure to create a unique and fun environment for fans. The field, however, is a different beast entirely. Looking at it, nothing inherently stands out. But as you take a look at the measurements you’ll notice that the left field wall is about 20 ft farther back than even Kauffman’s expansive outfield wall. It’s a sneaky depth, as the field doesn’t take an odd shape to conform to it, which also means that the left-center alley is deeper as well.
Quad Cities is a reflection of Columbia, meaning it will appeal to left-handed hitters a bit more. That being said it doesn’t have any weird angles or nooks that would affect pull power much. It’s the purest pitcher’s park in our minor leagues that provides a decent look into the real power potential of young players, especially right-handers.
Northwest Arkansas – Arvest Ballpark
Dimensions: 325′ (L), 400′ (C), 325′ (R)
Arvest takes a step back from the Quad Cities. Now, the bar was high, but the park down in Springdale is pretty reminiscent of where you find a lot of independent league teams playing. It’s a great home for our Double-A prospects. The field is a tough one to gauge, however, with stereotypical dimensions very close to Kauffman’s. One wouldn’t think that there would be pop potential from players here but for some reason, prospects surge here. It’s tough to see but it appears that the outfield walls follow more of a direct path to center field, which brings in the power alleys. Aside from that, it seems like our hitting coaches must be great at turning new leaves there.
There’s a good amount to be said about line-drive-first guys in this stadium where the alleys are indeed short. While the corners and centerfield are stereotypical, those flat walls will extend the ability for home runs. Expect those home runs to turn into doubles in a major league outfield, and be wary of players selling out for power at this level.
Omaha – Werner Park
Dimensions: 310′ (L), 402′ (C), 315′ (R)
It’s a very unique stadium and the biggest outside of Kauffman. It provides a nice and enclosed atmosphere for gamedays and allows for a controlled environment for stadium effects. The field is the smallest, however, amongst the ones covered here. Werner also comes in with the weirdest shape out of the lot. It’s hard to see with many pictures that are available on socials, but someone was able to give us a more in-depth look through a build done in MLB: The Show.
Power will feast in the final stop to the majors. Perhaps a welcome concept to young guys looking to build momentum into their debuts. That being said, this is the biggest red flag on the list. There should be a decent ability to hit regardless of location by the time a prospect ventures up to Triple-A but home runs here are going to come aplenty and that will not translate to the next level. Look for a notable drop-off when a soft-hitting prospect’s AAA numbers are mentioned in their profiles.
All things considered, hitters can hit. The caveats will ring untrue for any player capable of massive power or multi-tool athletes. As seen in the numbers, dead center is a good indicator of real power in this org, as the walls all stay about the same depth. If you’re ever unsure of a highlight: dead center is always safe and down the line is easy to gauge, but the power alleys can be deceiving.
