Pro Routine Helps Trevor Werner Make Loud Pro Debut For Royals
The Royals’ instructional league camp buzzed with excitement from the majestic long home runs off the bat of 23-year-old third baseman Trevor Werner.
The backfield fireworks came on the heels of a strong debut season for the 2023 seventh-rounder from Texas A&M. In 31 games at Low-A Columbia he hit .354/.459/.699 with eight home runs and 36 RBIs.
Werner’s loud performance extended to his batted-ball data. He showcased elite elite exit velocities and barrel rates to go with a chase rate under 25 percent.
As a college senior this spring, Werner’s 25% strikeout rate and struggles with offspeed pitches were a concern for scout. Improving in those areas has been a key goal for Werner, and he believes that the everyday work he gets in pro ball is helping him develop into a more well-rounded hitter.
“As a professional baseball player, you get to hone in on your craft every day,” Werner said, adding that the “every day part of it has allowed me to take my game to the next level.”
The Royals have taken note.
“Trevor has an incredible work ethic,” Royals director of hitting performance Drew Saylor said. “The way we onboarded him—and giving him a sense of how we individualize everything—that really resonated with him.
“We were able to attack the swing-and-miss in his profile, especially on (breaking pitches).”
Werner had a reputation as a clubhouse leader both for the Aggies and during his summer stints in the Cape Cod League. It’s a role that he takes seriously.“
It’s always been something natural for me,” Werner said. “I just want to build relationships with the guys . . . You become brothers and best friends, and you develop relationships that you’re going to have the rest of your life.”
Drafted as a two-way player, Werner spent his first season strictly as a position player after not pitching for Texas A&M in 2022 or 2023.
Along with Cayden Wallace, a fellow Southeastern Conference product, Werner gives the Royals a pair of promising prospects at the hot corner, a position that has been a challenge to fill in Kansas City.
ROYALTIES
— Six minor league players and one Latin American scout were honored at the end of the season with annual awards named after notable Royals of the past: Javier Vaz (Alex Gordon heart and hustle), Austin Charles (Mike Sweeney community service), Tyler Tolbert (George Brett hitter of the year), Mason Barnett (Paul Splittorff pitcher of the year), Dairon Blanco (Willie Wilson baserunner of the year), Daniel Vazquez (Frank White defensive player of the year and Richard Castro (Art Stewart scout of the year).
— Eight Royals prospects were on the initial rosters for the Arizona Fall League: righthanders Eric Cerantola, Jacob Wallace and Beck Way; lefthanders Rylan Kaufman and Angel Zerpa, third baseman Nick Loftin, second baseman Peyton Wilson and outfielder Gavin Cross.
