The Kansas City Royals faced a tough decision as spring training wrapped up in Surprise, Arizona. With a roster crunch looming, outfielder Drew Waters found himself at a crossroads.
Once seen as a promising addition to the Royals’ outfield, Waters struggled to secure his spot over the past two seasons. With no minor-league options left and no room on the Opening Day roster, the Royals designated the 27-year-old for assignment.
Interestingly, no other team snapped up Waters, either through trade or waiver claim. This allowed Kansas City to retain him by outrighting him to Triple-A Omaha, where he can bolster the Storm Chasers' outfield depth.
The Royals confirmed the move on social media, stating: "OF Drew Waters has cleared outright waivers and has been assigned outright to Omaha (AAA)."
As the Triple-A season kicks off, Waters is set to rejoin the action. Over the past two years, he spent significant time in Omaha, playing 163 games compared to just 79 with the Royals.
He joins a group of outfielders in Omaha that includes Gavin Cross and 40-man roster members John Rave and Kameron Misner. A strong performance could pave the way for Waters' return to Kansas City, but he must overcome a concerning trend from his past performances.
Last season, Waters played 54 games in Omaha, posting a .713 OPS and striking out 67 times in 208 at-bats. His strikeout rate hit a career-high 29.0%, showing little improvement over four seasons. Despite his enticing power-speed potential, his production has yet to match the promise he once showed as a top prospect with the Atlanta Braves.
Meanwhile, with Waters’ spot on the 40-man roster open, the Royals added pitcher Eli Morgan, who was impressive during spring training. Morgan, an MLB veteran, joined the Royals as a non-roster invitee after stints with the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Guardians. He made a strong case for himself, pitching 10.1 innings with 12 strikeouts, four walks, and only one earned run.
Morgan debuted with the Storm Chasers, delivering 1.1 hitless innings and striking out three of four batters faced. His presence in Omaha could prove valuable for the Royals, especially as he helps keep other pitchers ready for major league action. As one of only three true relievers on Omaha’s 40-man roster, Morgan’s role might expand as the season progresses.
While fans may not hold fond memories of Waters’ time in Kansas City, he remains in the organization, poised for another opportunity. With determination and hard work, he could still rewrite his story and contribute to the Royals' future.