Height
5'10"
Weight
190 lbs
Age
29
College
UNLV
Draft
2018, Rd 3, #94
Experience
5 yrs
Bats/Throws
L/R
Fan Verdict
Grade this player:
Career StatsF
| Year | Team | GP | AVG | HR | RBI | OPS | SB | H |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career |  | 503 | 0.24160114 | 25 | 149 | 0.6626152 | 36 | 338 |
Current Contract
Length
1 year
Total Value
$2.7M
Guaranteed
$1.6M
AAV
$2.7M/yr
Contract Value Index (CVI)
Kyle Isbel's one-year, $2.7M deal with the Royals earns a C+ CVI that reflects solid value for a depth piece, though it lacks the upside you'd prefer for a team in Kansas City's position. The 27-year-old center fielder provides reliable defensive coverage and occasional offensive contributions, making this a sensible short-term fill-in contract that won't handicap the organization's payroll flexibility. However, for a Royals squad that made the playoffs last season and is operating within a competitive window, committing even modest resources to a replacement-level bat feels like a missed opportunity to upgrade the roster's ceiling. The one-year term is smart given Isbel's limited track record and the franchise's need to keep long-term flexibility for their young core, but $2.7M AAV pushes the boundaries of what a fourth outfielder should command in today's market. This deal makes sense as organizational depth, but it's hardly the type of move that signals championship ambitions for a club that should be maximizing every roster spot.
Performance Analysis
Kyle Isbel grades as a solid performer among MLB center fielders, earning a B- Performance grade. He is hitting with a 0.238 batting average and a 0.653 OPS (below the league average of .720) this season. With 23 home runs and 144 RBI through 496 games (a 8-HR, 47-RBI pace over a full season), he brings limited power to the lineup. His 33 stolen bases add an elite speed dimension that creates additional offensive value. As a prime-age veteran at 29, Kyle is a key contributor for the Royals. A 496-game sample provides high confidence in this grade.
Recent Games
| Date | OPP | Result | AB | H | R | HR | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, 4/10 | vs CHW | W 2-0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Tue, 4/7 | @ CLE | L 1-2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
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