Kyle Isbel
27-Year-Old
2024 Stats
AVG
.333
HR
0
RBI
0
R
0
SB
0
Rest-of-Season Projections
2024 Fantasy Outlook
Isbel demonstrated some growth in his age-26 season, though not enough to get fantasy managers particularly excited about his prospects for 2024. In particular Isbel improved his strikeouts, shaving more than eight full percentage points off his strikeout rate from the prior season. That resulted in nearly 30 added points in batting average and 40 added points in slugging. In the end, Isbel still totaled a mere five homers and seven steals in 313 plate appearances around an extended absence due to a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. On the positive side, his efficiency on the bases was improved, as he was only caught stealing once after six CS in 15 attempts in 2022. His defense is a plus, but it's uncertain whether that will be enough to earn him regular starts in the Kansas City outfield after the team added Hunter Renfroe to the mix. Read Past Outlooks
RANKSFrom Preseason
#583
ADP
Set to start in center field
Isbel is positioned to begin the season as the Royals' starting center fielder after Drew Waters was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Friday, which was reported by Anne Rogers of MLB.com.
ANALYSIS
Isbel was the favorite for the job early in camp, and he had a strong showing during spring training with a .344/.417/.500 slash line in 36 plate appearances. The 27-year-old played in 91 contests last year but struggled to a .662 OPS, and his hold on the job could wane quickly this season if he repeats that performance.
Isbel was the favorite for the job early in camp, and he had a strong showing during spring training with a .344/.417/.500 slash line in 36 plate appearances. The 27-year-old played in 91 contests last year but struggled to a .662 OPS, and his hold on the job could wane quickly this season if he repeats that performance.
Batting Stats
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2024
2023
2022
2021
Minor League Game Log
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Batting Order Slot Breakdown
#1
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#9
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Left/Right Batting Splits
Since 2022
+5%
OPS vs LHP
2024
-100%
OPS vs RHP
OPS | PA | HR | RBI | AVG | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Since 2022vs Left | .658 | 115 | 0 | 16 | .262 | ||||
Since 2022vs Right | .629 | 479 | 10 | 46 | .219 | ||||
2024vs Left | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
2024vs Right | .667 | 3 | 0 | 0 | .333 | ||||
2023vs Left | .799 | 60 | 0 | 10 | .315 | ||||
2023vs Right | .631 | 253 | 5 | 24 | .223 | ||||
2022vs Left | .502 | 55 | 0 | 6 | .204 | ||||
2022vs Right | .627 | 223 | 5 | 22 | .213 | ||||
More Splits→ | View More Split Stats |
Home/Away Batting Splits
Since 2022
+11%
OPS at Home
2024
-100%
OPS at Home
OPS | PA | HR | RBI | AVG | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Since 2022Home | .667 | 298 | 5 | 32 | .252 | ||||
Since 2022Away | .601 | 296 | 5 | 30 | .201 | ||||
2024Home | .667 | 3 | 0 | 0 | .333 | ||||
2024Away | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
2023Home | .629 | 146 | 2 | 18 | .245 | ||||
2023Away | .692 | 167 | 3 | 16 | .235 | ||||
2022Home | .705 | 149 | 3 | 14 | .257 | ||||
2022Away | .483 | 129 | 2 | 14 | .155 | ||||
More Splits→ | View More Split Stats |
Stat Review
How does Kyle Isbel compare to other hitters?
This section compares his stats with all batting seasons from the previous three seasons (minimum 400 plate appearances)*. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that stat and it would be considered average.
* Exit Velocity and Barrels/PA % are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 400 PA) and Hard Hit Rate is benchmarked against last season's data (min 400 PA). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
* Exit Velocity and Barrels/PA % are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 400 PA) and Hard Hit Rate is benchmarked against last season's data (min 400 PA). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
BB/K
0.29BB Rate
5.4%K Rate
18.8%BABIP
.283ISO
.140AVG
.240OBP
.282SLG
.380OPS
.662wOBA
.290Exit Velocity
89.4 mphHard Hit Rate
34.3%Barrels/PA
4.2%Expected BA
.247Expected SLG
.375Sprint Speed
24.2 ft/secGround Ball %
40.4%Line Drive %
16.5%Fly Ball %
43.0%Prospect Rankings History
Advanced Batting Stats
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Additional Stats
Games By Position
Defensive Stats
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Batted Ball Stats
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Stats Vs Upcoming Pitchers
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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Kyle Isbel See More
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
More playing time coming?
With Andrew Benintendi traded to the Yankees, Isbel could see more playing time over the last two months of the season.
ANALYSIS
The 25-year-old started in left field and hit ninth Thursday and is likely to see more playing time with Benintendi gone. Isbel hasn't produced much at the plate and has a .221/.258/.324 line entering Thursday's game. He's yet to prove that he can hit left-handed pitching in the majors as all nine of his extra-base hits this season have come off righties, and he's produced a .412 OPS against southpaws. Before Benintendi's departure, he made only two starts in left field but he's likely to see more time there in the near future.
The 25-year-old started in left field and hit ninth Thursday and is likely to see more playing time with Benintendi gone. Isbel hasn't produced much at the plate and has a .221/.258/.324 line entering Thursday's game. He's yet to prove that he can hit left-handed pitching in the majors as all nine of his extra-base hits this season have come off righties, and he's produced a .412 OPS against southpaws. Before Benintendi's departure, he made only two starts in left field but he's likely to see more time there in the near future.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
Entering his age-26 season, Isbel has yet to claim a full-time major-league role. He was mainly a strong-side platoon option in the Royals' outfield in 2022, but a brutal .211/.264/.340 slash line didn't strengthen his case to see more time. The Royals are at the point in their latest round of rebuilding where prospects are given a look in the majors, and that could make for an outfield logjam, though Isbel's speed and solid defense will keep him in the conversation for another year. He had five home runs, nine stolen bases and 28 RBI in 278 plate appearances last year -- that's not huge, but hitting anywhere around .260 would likely make him look like a much more viable player. The biggest concern for Isbel is the likes of Drew Waters, Edward Olivares and MJ Melendez picking up time in the outfield at his expense if he can't get his bat going early in the year.
More Fantasy News
Favorite to start in center field?
The Royals believe Isbel is their best option in center field, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Three-hit night
Isbel went 3-for-4 with one double, two RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 12-5 win over the Yankees.
ANALYSIS
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Heads to bench Sunday
Isbel is out of the lineup Sunday against the Astros.
ANALYSIS
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On bench Friday
Isbel is out of the lineup Friday against the Astros.
ANALYSIS
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Not in lineup for afternoon game
Isbel is out of the lineup for the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader versus the White Sox.
ANALYSIS
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