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The Kansas City Royals have been no stranger to the midseason free-agent market this year, as they’ve brought in former big league veteran after big league veteran to help build out their organizational depth.<\/p>\n
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Some of those names have risen to the challenge and have made a strong case to return to the big leagues, while others have left a lot to be desired since joining the Royals’ ranks.<\/p>\n
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So who deserves that next shot in MLB? And who seems better served to remain in Triple-A?<\/p>\n
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The Royals haven’t seen much of Dalbec since they signed him just over a week ago now<\/a>, but what they have seen has been impressive.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He may only be hitting .200, but his on-base abilities and power prowess have shone with a .304 OBP, two homers and .550 SLG.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n WELCOME TO THE STORM CHASERS BOBBY DALBEC pic.twitter.com\/TNAQt32PbK<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Omaha Storm Chasers (@OMAStormChasers) August 10, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n <\/p>\n With an offensive profile like his and the ability to play multiple positions across the infield, he certainly offers a potential upgrade on their current utility options off the bench like Nick Loftin (62 wRC+) and Tyler Tolbert (60 wRC+).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Robertson might be fresh off signing his minor league contract with the Royals<\/a> this week, but based on his track record in both the major leagues last season and with the Astros’ Triple-A affiliate in Sugar Land he could offer an intriguing option for Kansas City should they ever need a bullpen arm.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n His 4.25 ERA in Triple-A this season is a respectable mark and on that’s a lot better than other veteran arms in Omaha’s ‘pen this season.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n His walk rate is something that could be of concern this season, with a 16.6% clip raising his WHIP up to 1.42 in 2025. But, with just a 3.6% walk rate in the majors last season resulting in a WHIP below 1.30, there’s reason to believe that he could put things together if called upon.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Royals will obviously want to see him throw in Omaha first, but there’s certainly worse options they could call upon in a pinch.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n On the surface, a former Cy Young award winner<\/a> like Keuchel, who also happens to hold a respectable sub-4.00 ERA in Omaha this year, would seem like a tempting name to give a shot in majors again. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n But there’s more to it than just a great past and solid ERA. Keuchel has lacked in a lot of other areas and hasn’t boasted the same sort of major league track record since his Houston days.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This season in Omaha, he hasn’t limited the walks and hits well, sporting a 1.43 WHIP and .263 BAA. And while he may not have traditionally been known for a lights-out ability to generate strikeouts, a 6.60 K\/9 clip in Triple-A likely doesn’t spell great things if he were to transition to the majors<\/a> again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This lack of dominance becomes more apparent when you consider the fact that he hasn’t held an ERA below five in MLB since 2020.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n While Keuchel’s case to remain in Omaha might be more subtle, Fulmer’s is far more obvious. The former AL Rookie of the Year<\/a> has not looked like an award winning arm in the slightest since joining the Royals on a minors deal<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n in 18.1 innings of work as a Storm Chaser, Fulmer is throwing to a near-6.00 ERA (5.89) with a 1.47 WHIP and .278 BAA.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And he doesn’t exactly carry a show-stopping track record in the majors this season with a 4.76 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and .286 BAA with the Red Sox and the Cubs.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n
RHP Nick Robertson<\/h3>\n
2 former MLB veterans who are better served in Triple-A Omaha<\/h2>\n
LHP Dallas Keuchel<\/h3>\n
RHP Michael Fulmer<\/h3>\n