Cheslor Cuthbert

It seemed like there would be an opportunity for Cuthbert to play regularly again in 2018 following the departure of Eric Hosmer and with Mike Moustakas clearly on his way out. He was the Royals' Opening Day designated hitter and hit safely in four straight games to begin the campaign, but it was all downhill from there. Cuthbert went into a prolonged slump before landing on the disabled list with a back strain in mid-May. He was cleared to begin a rehab assignment a little over five weeks later, but a setback forced Cuthbert to shut it down again, this time for good. In 2016, Cuthbert logged 510 plate appearances and was close to a league-average hitter (95 wRC+), but the Ks have been up the past two years, which is not what you want with a player with as little power as Cuthbert has. After re-signing with the Royals on a one-year deal in late November, Cuthbert was DFA'd a little over a month later.

Cuthbert performed at close to a league-average level over 510 plate appearances in 2016 (95 wRC+), but took a massive step backward last season. He got off to a dismal start to the year (.138 average in April) and seemed to press as the season wore on into the summer months, with his strikeout rate peaking at 35.7 percent in June. Overall, Cuthbert's strikeout rate jumped nearly seven percentage points from 2016 (to 25.5 percent). His power completely dried up as his hard-hit rate sunk to 28.6 percent and his walk rate fell slightly from an already below-average level. There seems to be an opening with Mike Moustakas likely leaving in free agency, and Cuthbert did fare better after his return from a wrist injury in August (.294/.362/.412 in 25 games), but this is a limited skill set, one which does not inspire much confidence.

Cuthbert broke out in 2016, dominating the Pacific Coast League in his third go-around at Omaha and then carrying over some of that performance to put up a major league line that was in sync with his previous year's performance in the minors. He lacks the power or the speed to make an impact in the roto categories, likely topping out around 12-15 homers and a half-dozen steals in a given season, numbers which fall short of the production expected of a third baseman at the highest level even considering the lowering of those positional expectations over the past several seasons. He'll be blocked by Mike Moustakas in Kansas City as long as the latter player is healthy, and though Cuthbert has age on his side and the time to hone his game, expectations should be tempered in terms of performance as well as expected playing time for the 24-year-old in 2017.

In his first full season at the Triple-A level, Cuthbert put together one of the best overall seasons of his career. The 22-year-old slashed .277/.339/.421 to go with five steals and 51 RBI. This performance warranted a couple of stints with the major league club, and despite limited opportunities, the youngster showed good patience in producing an eight percent walk rate. Mike Moustakas is still the main man at the hot corner for the Royals, but if Cuthbert continues to develop and play well, he could make a convincing case for the primary infield utility job.

Cuthbert took another big step forward in 2014, as a slash line of .276/.342/.420 and career-best totals in home runs (10) and steals (nine) for Double-A Northwest Arkansas earned him an August promotion to Triple-A Omaha. He then tacked on another two long balls during his time spent at the Triple-A level, and posted a .715 OPS over an even 100 plate appearances. He was able to correct some of the selectivity issues that plagued him in 2013, and began to show flashes of the mid-level power that the Royals were hoping for in his age-21 season. The 6-foot-1 right-hander brings a strong arm to the table from the hot corner, and if he can continue to improve his baserunning, there's a chance he could see action in the majors in 2015 should the right situation arise. Though Mike Moustakas will block him at his natural position in the short-term, Moustakas' tendency for prolonged slumps may eventually cause the Royals to lose patience, and Cuthbert would be one of the potential names called if they decide to make a switch.

As expected, Cuthbert opened the 2013 season with a return to High-A ball, but he earned a promotion to Double-A with a strong first half that saw improvements across the board from power to plate discipline. He regressed a bit with the increase in level thanks in large part to a rate-killing .246 BABIP, but managed to continue his power development and saw his ISO increase to a .143 mark, which seems to be more indicative of where he could end up as he continues his ascension through the Royals' farm system. With continued development at the plate, he should be able to maintain a better average and on-base percentage, which could help him advance at a quicker rate. However, while his defense remains a strong part of his game, his mid-level power is more likely to settle him in as more of a utility player than someone the Royals would like to see become a full-time player at the hot corner. He appears destined to spend a full season at the Double-A level with a remote possibility of advancing another level by the end of the season.

Despite the fact that he struggled at the plate during his second professional season, batting just .240 with seven home runs and a .296 OBP, there is still plenty of raw talent and promise to be found in the 19-year-old Cuthbert. The Nicaraguan native has a surprisingly good grasp of the strike zone, can spray the ball to all fields and makes decent contact when he does connect. What he needs to do now is harness his power and learn to drive through the ball and pick up that .082 ISO that he posted last year. Defensively, he is sound and most within the organization feel that, even as he matures and fills out, he will be able to stay at the hot corner rather than require a switch to second base or the outfield. He'll probably return to High-A again to open the 2013 season with the potential to move up to Double-A at some point. He is obviously a few years away still but definitely someone to keep on your radar.

An 18-year-old international signee from Nicaragua, Cuthbert spent 2011 at Low-A Kane County, where he hit .267/.345/.397 with eight home runs and 51 RBI in 342 plate appearances. He profiles as a hitter who should develop power as he fills out, while maintaining his ability to hit for average. Being that he's so early in his development, Cuthbert is more of a dynasty league target at this time. He should start 2012 at High-A Wilmington, where owners will want to begin tracking the Royals' prospect, if they haven't already.