Athletic Khalil Lee Stands Out

Best Player

While outfielder Khalil Lee hit just .240 at low Class A Lexington through 66 games, he produced other numbers that support his selection as best player.

Lee hit 12 home runs and stole 16 bases. He also walked 35 times, helping him rank among the South Atlantic League leaders with 42 runs scored.

Then there’s this: At age 19, Lee is one of the youngest players in the South Atlantic League. He had just two two plate appearances this season against a younger pitcher.

The 2006 third-rounder out of high school in Virginia has the speed to play center field and the power for a corner.

“Khalil is a dynamic player who is hard to take your eyes off of,” assistant general manager J.J. Picollo said. “He can do something to win a game in the box, on the bases or on the field on a nightly basis. He’s an extremely athletic player, who is just scratching the surface of what he’s going to become.”

Biggest Leap Forward

The Royals picked lefthander Foster Griffin in the first round in the 2014 draft out of The First Academy in Orlando, but he struggled during his first three seasons.

Griffin recorded a 5.19 ERA in 60 minor league starts prior to this season, but the 21-year-old has turned things around in 2017.

Griffin went 9-3, 2.49 while holding opponents to a .216 average through 16 starts this season. He earned a May 29 promotion from high Class A Wilmington to Double-A Northwest Arkansas.

“Foster has made tremendous strides this year with the timing of his delivery,” Picollo said. “He’s commanded his fastball well, repeated his breaking ball and used his changeup very well. He’s an intelligent kid who understands pitching and is just coming into his own.”