Amalani Fukofuka Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Amalani Fukofuka
Born 09/25/1995 in Hayward, CA
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 180 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School James Logan
Drafted in the 5th round (144th overall) by the Kansas City Royals in 2013 (signed for $175,000).

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Not all scouts were on Fukofuka, and rival teams believe the Royals will save some money with this pick, which makes sense after selecting Indiana State lefthander Sean Manaea in the second round. Scouts who are on Fukofuka like his athleticism. He can dunk a basketball and was a standout wide receiver on Logan's football team, as well. He is an average runner, but is very raw and has a long way to go with the bat. He does have some looseness to his swing, but needs more strength and could spend two years at the Rookie-level. Fukofuka was committed to Chabot (Calif.) JC, but is expected to sign for a discount.

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When Royals' coaches and scouts watch a young hitter the first building block they look for is how well he handles a quality fastball. Yes, they will have to learn plate discipline and how to discern when to play off a quality breaking ball or handle a good changeup, but none of it matters if a hitter can't catch up to and cause damage to a quality fastball. Fukofuka, one of the youngest players in the 2013 draft, has added enough weight and strength to start to handle fastballs that he struggled with over first two seasons. After getting the bat knocked out of his hands at Rookie-level Burlington in 2014, he turned a corner in 2015 at Rookie-level Idaho Falls. In his previous two seasons combined, he'd hit 11 doubles, nine triples and two home runs. His newfound strength is manifesting itself in doubles right now but should eventually turn into average or better power. He's going to need that power to continue improving because, while he plays some center field now, he's expected to end up an above-average left fielder with a below-average arm. He's an above-average runner now--and has stolen double-digit bases in two of his three seasons-- but doesn't have the range Kansas City looks for in its center fielders. He'll jump to Lexington in 2016.

Fukofuka has begun to live up to the potential the Royals envisioned when they made him a fifth-round pick as a raw, athletic high school player in 2013. He has added strength and finally showed signs of tapping into his potential during extended spring training. His improvement at the plate came when he began finding the barrel and hitting the ball hard. He makes good contact with gap power and should continue to get stronger. Fukofuka is a good runner and above-average defender in center field with an above-average, accurate arm that also allows him to handle a corner spot. Pioneer League managers gushed when talking about Fukofuka's potential and approach to the game. "He's one of those kids who goes out there every single day and plays hard and gives you what he's got," Idaho Falls manager Justin Gemoll said. "Watching him play this summer has been fun."