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The Kansas City Royals find themselves in an interesting spot come Sept. 1, 2025. From that date through the end of the season, every MLB team must carry 28 players<\/a>: 14 position players and 14 pitchers. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n For rebuilding clubs, it\u2019s a chance to give prospects valuable reps with nothing to lose. For contenders, it\u2019s an opportunity for fringe veterans or standout prospects to contribute down the stretch, complementing the regulars who\u2019ve carried the load for most of the season. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n But the Royals don\u2019t neatly fit either category as August winds down. They\u2019re still in the hunt for a coveted Wild Card spot, doing everything possible to stay alive in the race, but they can\u2019t afford to jeopardize that by rushing up a prospect who isn\u2019t ready\u2014or by folding too early. Layer in the wave of injuries, and it\u2019s tough to find a seasoned veteran who could make a clear positive impact. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n From this angle, there isn\u2019t a slam-dunk choice for Kansas City when it comes to adding one position player and one pitcher for the final four weeks of the season.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n While names like outfielder Drew Waters, utilityman Harold Castro, and pitcher Joey Krehbiel are getting deserved attention as possible additions, there are also some fresh faces worth considering.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If the Royals were to use this September window to hand out a debut\u2014a player trotting out of the dugout or bullpen for the very first time in a big-league game\u2014who might they choose, and why would that player make sense?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Royals fans shouldn’t be kicking themselves if they haven’t heard of right-handed pitcher Jacob Wallace.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Colorado Rockies drafted Wallace in the third round of the 2019 MLB Draft, drawn in by his electric stuff and professional potential. Across his time with both the Rockies and Red Sox organizations, the stuff remained tantalizing\u2014but the walks were a constant problem. Kansas City acquired him in the deal that sent Wyatt Mills to Boston in the winter after the 2022 season, and Wallace has been grinding ever since.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Storm Chasers activated Wallace from the injured list on Aug. 22, releasing veteran left-hander Dallas Keuchel to make room. The next day, Wallace made his first Triple-A appearance in more than two months against the Columbus Clippers, working a scoreless inning with one hit, one walk, and a strikeout. Overshadowed by Omaha\u2019s 23-run explosion<\/a>, his outing was just a footnote in the box score\u2014but still a solid step forward in his return.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Wallace may not be the kind of dominant arm who forces the Royals\u2019 hand, but Kansas City\u2019s relief depth is precarious at best. With right-handers Hunter Harvey <\/a>and Steven Cruz still sidelined\u2014and the bullpen looking exposed when overworked in August\u2014necessity could open the door. Much like Andrew Hoffman\u2019s call-up earlier this season, Wallace might find himself in the right place at the right time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The walks are down to a manageable level, the strikeouts are still there, and the clock is ticking on Wallace. If not now, when? That\u2019s the question Kansas City will have to confront if they choose to pass him over once rosters expand in September.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\nRHP Jacob Wallace<\/h2>\n
RHP Chandler Champlain<\/h2>\n