DREW WATERS NEWS

Optioned to Omaha The Royals optioned Waters to Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.

Impact The move is to make room on the 26-man roster for MJ Melendez (ankle), who was reinstated off the 10-day injured list. Waters made four appearances for the Royals since being recalled July 18, going 2-for-8 with one RBI, two runs scored and two walks. In Triple-A this season, Waters is slashing .277/.362/.502 with 10 home runs, 44 RBI and 11 stolen bases across 287 plate appearances.

JULY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled from Omaha The Royals recalled Waters from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

Impact With MJ Melendez (ankle) landing on the injured list Tuesday, Waters will return to Kansas City to give the Royals additional outfield depth coming out of the All-Star break. The 25-year-old went 1-for-8 during his first MLB stint in June, and he's slashed .277/.362/.502 with 44 RBI across 287 plate appearances with Omaha.

JULY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Doesn't make Opening Day roster The Royals optioned Waters to Triple-A Omaha on Friday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Waters had a solid spring, but Kyle Isbel was better and Isbel already had the perceived leg up for the center field job. The switch-hitting Waters should still spend ample time in the majors this season but will go to Omaha for the time being.

MARCH 22 • ROTOWIRE

No lock to make big-league roster Waters could be assigned to Triple-A Omaha if he doesn't win a starting job in spring training, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Waters' development is still important, and consistent at-bats with Omaha would serve him better than acting as a fourth outfield. The addition of Hunter Renfroe took Waters' starting job away, and Kyle Isbel's defense has made him the favorite for center field. If Waters ends up in the minors to begin 2024, Dairon Blanco is projected to be the Royals' fourth outfielder.

MARCH 2 • ROTOWIRE

Out with quad injury Waters (quad) is not in Sunday's lineup against the Yankees.

Impact He exited Saturday's game with left quadriceps tightness, so it's no surprise to see Waters out of the lineup for the final game of the regular season. Dairon Blanco will start in center field and hit seventh.

OCTOBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Exits with quad injury Waters was removed from Saturday's game against the Yankees with left quadriceps tightness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Waters was replaced in the fourth inning by Dairon Blanco. It's unclear whether Waters will be available for Sunday's season finale.

OCTOBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting versus lefty Waters is not in the lineup Friday against the Yankees.

Impact Kyle Isbel will start in center field and bat ninth with left-hander Carlos Rodon toeing the slab for New York. The switch-hitting Waters has slashed just .208/.279/.312 in 86 plate appearances versus lefties this season.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up 16th steal Waters went 0-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base in Sunday's 6-5 win over the Astros.

Impact Waters is now 6-for-7 on stolen base attempts in September, and he's hitting .264 (14-for-53) this month. The outfielder has had some growing pains in his first full big-league campaign with a .234/.308/.386 slash line over 94 contests. He's added 16 thefts, eight home runs, 32 RBI and 39 runs scored while seeing a starting role, albeit not an everyday one, down the stretch.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Idle Friday Waters isn't in the Royals' lineup Friday against Houston.

Impact The switch-hitting Waters holds just a .613 OPS against left-handed pitching this season, so he'll take a seat against southpaw Framber Valdez. Kyle Isbel will get the nod in center field and bat ninth.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Swipes two bags Waters went 2-for-3 with a double, a run scored and two steals in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Guardians.

Impact Waters is now 4-for-7 with three doubles in his last two games after going 0-for-12 with nine strikeouts in his previous five contests. With his two steals Wednesday, the 24-year-old outfielder improved to 15-for-19 on stolen base attempts this season. Overall, Waters is slashing .237/.309/.392 with eight homers, 39 runs scored and 32 RBI across 317 plate appearances as he looks to earn a spot on the Royals' 2024 Opening Day roster.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes seat Tuesday Waters is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Guardians.

Impact Waters went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI versus Cleveland on Monday but has a .256/.430/.326 slash line and 30 percent strikeout rate through 15 games in September. Kyle Isbel will handle center field and bat ninth Tuesday.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Royals' Drew Waters keys win over Guardians Drew Waters’ two-run double led the Kansas City Royals to a 6-4 comeback win over the Cleveland Guardians Monday afternoon in Cleveland.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Not in starting lineup Waters will be on the bench Saturday against Houston.

Impact Waters has struggled to a .203/.306/.297 slash line over his last 25 games, though he does at least have six steals over that stretch. Dairon Blanco will get the start in right field Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting nightcap Waters isn't in the Royals' lineup for Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the White Sox.

Impact Waters struck out in all four of his plate appearances during Tuesday's first game, and he'll start on the bench for Game 2. Waters' absence will allow Dairon Blanco to start in right field and bat ninth.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Day off Friday Waters isn't in the Royals' lineup Friday against the Blue Jays.

Impact Waters will take a seat Friday after beginning September 7-for-21 with two RBI and five runs scored through six games. MJ Melendez, Kyle Isbel and Dairon Blanco will make up Kansas City's outfield Friday while Waters is out.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Reaches three times in loss Waters went 2-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base in Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the White Sox.

Impact Waters accounted for half of the Royals' hits in the game. He's hit safely in five of six games in September, going 7-for-21 (.333) with three walks and two steals this month. Waters is slashing .236/.307/.391 with 12 steals, eight home runs, 29 RBI and 37 runs scored through 81 contests. He should be in the lineup a majority of the time as a switch hitter, but the Royals' crowded outfield could prevent him from seeing an everyday role.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Solid off bench Sunday Waters went 1-for-1 with a walk, a stolen base and a run scored in Sunday's 7-3 loss to the Red Sox.

Impact Waters has moved out of an everyday role with the success of Nelson Velazquez. Despite that, Waters is hitting .267 with two steals over his last nine contests -- enough to keep him in the lineup most days. He's slashing .231/.302/.393 with 11 steals, eight home runs, 27 RBI and 36 runs scored through 78 games overall. In addition to Waters, Kyle Isbel (hamstring) has also lost playing time lately as the Royals try to balance playing time for up to five players in the three outfield positions.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Sunday Waters isn't in the Royals' lineup Sunday against Boston.

Impact Waters will get a breather Sunday after charting hits in each of the first two games of the Royals' series with the Red Sox. Samad Taylor, Dairon Blanco and Nelson Velazquez will make up Kansas City's outfield while Waters rests.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On bench Wednesday Waters is absent from the lineup Wednesday against the Pirates.

Impact MJ Melendez, Kyle Isbel and Nelson Velazquez will start across the outfield for the Royals. Water has been productive overall in August, but he is 1-for-11 with six strikeouts in his last three games.

AUGUST 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Homers in blowout loss Waters went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Saturday's 15-2 loss to the Mariners.

Impact While four of the Royals' hits went for extra bases, Waters' blast was the only homer for the team Saturday. He has an extra-base hit in each of his last three games. The outfielder is up to eight long balls, 10 stolen bases, 26 RBI, 32 runs scored, six doubles and five triples while slashing .235/.306/.412 over 72 contests this season.

AUGUST 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On base three times in win Waters went 1-for-2 with a triple, two walks, one RBI, a stolen base and one run scored in Wednesday's 4-0 win over the Athletics.

Impact Waters' triple snapped his 0-for-10 skid over the last four games. The outfielder has also picked up a steal in two straight games to get to 10 thefts on the year. He's slashing a poor .228/.299/.393 with seven home runs, 25 RBI, 31 runs scored, five doubles and five triples through 70 contests on the year, and he's batting just .204 (11-for-54) in August.

AUGUST 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Posts steal in loss Waters went 0-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base in Tuesday's 5-4 loss to the Athletics.

Impact Waters is in a bit of a slump, going 0-for-10 across his last four games. He's picked up the pace on the basepaths lately, notching four of his nine steals this season over his last 12 contests dating back to Aug. 7. The outfielder is slashing a mediocre .226/.292/.382 with seven home runs, 24 RBI, 30 runs scored, five doubles and four triples through 69 games overall.

AUGUST 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out of Sunday's lineup Waters is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.

Impact Waters is mired in a 4-for-23 slump and will take a seat for Sunday's series finale in Chicago. Dairon Blanco will receive a start in right field and bat ninth.

AUGUST 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Registers eighth steal Waters went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 4-3 win over the Cubs.

Impact Waters has gone 4-for-17 with zero RBI over five games since returning from the bereavement list. The outfielder has maintained his place in the lineup, but Nelson Velazquez has been hitting well lately and could challenge Waters for a starting job in right field. Waters is at a .237/.298/.401 slash line with seven home runs, eight steals, 23 RBI, 29 runs scored, five doubles and four triples over 65 contests this season.

AUGUST 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Braves Nation: An update on ex-Braves prospect Drew Waters A few years ago it appeared the Braves’ future outfield would include prospects Cristian Pache and Drew Waters.

AUGUST 16, 2023 • AJC.COM