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Will Klein
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Royals added several pieces to a revamped bullpen this past offseason, bolstering the back end with a quartet of high-leverage veteran arms while maintaining a promising group of depth options. One such depth reliever won't be breaking camp with Kansas City -- but don't count out intriguing homegrown prospect Will Klein from catching on with the big league club at some point this season.
Klein, the Royals' No. 19 prospect in MLB Pipeline's updated rankings for 2024, was optioned to Triple-A Omaha following Friday's 4-2 win against the Rangers at Surprise Stadium, but he has impressed with both his demeanor and his stuff in his first big league camp. Added to the 40-man roster last November in order to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft, the 24-year-old Klein has risen through Kansas City's farm system since he was selected in the fifth round of the abridged 2020 MLB Draft. He earned a selection to last year's All-Star Futures Game in Seattle and will have the chance to perform on another big stage in the inaugural Spring Breakout on March 17.
"It's an honor," Klein said. "I'm honestly tired of being a prospect at this point, though. It just means you haven't done anything yet. I'm ready to actually help the team win." - mlb.com 3/8/24
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