The upstart Royals are looking to make the most of a solid breakthrough season.
Kansas City has acquired right-handed reliever Hunter Harvey from the Washington Nationals, the team announced on Saturday.
In exchange, the Royals sent back minor league third baseman Cayden Wallace and their competitive balance draft pick, the 39th overall in Sunday’s draft.
Harvey, 29, has made 43 appearances for the Nationals this season and has picked up a 2-4 record and 4.20 ERA in 45.0 IP. He has 50 strikeouts and 12 walks and has earned a career-high 26 holds this season.
The Catawba, N.C., native has a career 3.20 ERA and 1.097 WHIP in 164 appearances over six seasons in the majors with the Baltimore Orioles and Nationals.
Wallace, 22, was the Royals’ No. 2 prospect according to MLB pipeline and is batting .282 at double-A this season. He has three home runs and two stolen bases in 34 games.
The Royals are currently 52-44 and third in the AL Cental, seven games back of the division-leading Cleveland Guardians. They’re one game back of the Boston Red Sox for the final wild card spot.
The Kansas City Royals have made a significant move to bolster their pitching staff by acquiring right-handed pitcher Hunter Harvey from the Washington Nationals. Harvey, a former first-round draft pick, brings a wealth of talent and potential to the Royals’ roster.
Harvey, 26, was originally drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 2013 and made his MLB debut with the team in 2019. He was traded to the Nationals in July 2021 and has since shown flashes of brilliance on the mound. In 2021, Harvey posted a 2.84 ERA in 19 innings pitched, striking out 21 batters.
The Royals are hoping that Harvey can continue to develop and reach his full potential with their organization. With a fastball that can reach up to 98 mph and a devastating curveball, Harvey has the tools to be a dominant force on the mound.
The addition of Harvey gives the Royals more depth in their pitching rotation, which will be crucial as they look to compete in a tough American League Central division. With a young and talented core of players, including All-Star catcher Salvador Perez and outfielder Whit Merrifield, the Royals are poised to make some noise in the upcoming season.
Overall, the acquisition of Hunter Harvey is a promising move for the Royals as they look to build a competitive team for the future. Fans can look forward to seeing Harvey take the mound and hopefully lead the team to success in the seasons to come.