Franmil Reyes Signs Deal To Return To AL Central

It was a rough 2022 season for one-time feared slugger Franmil Reyes. After posting an OPS solidly over .800 in his first four years in the majors, Reyes tumbled to a .638 OPS last season, split between uninspiring stints with the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago Cubs. 

But he'll have another chance to rediscover his stroke in 2023 with the Kansas City Royals. He returns to the AL Central after spending parts of four years in Cleveland.

The #Royals have signed Franmil Reyes to a minor league contract with a non-roster invite to spring training, sources tell me and @juanctoribio. Former Guardians slugger who hit 30 homers in 2021 finished last season with the Cubs.

— Anne Rogers (@anne__rogers) February 15, 2023

It's a minor league deal for the Dominican powerhouse, with an invite to spring training. 

Reyes is only one year removed from his second 30-HR season, in 2021. In 2019, he blasted 37 longballs. For that four-year run to start his career, he was 20% better than the average big league hitter, as per OPS+.

There's still a good chance, despite his disastrous 2022, that Reyes can regain his power output with the Royals. He did finish in the 92nd percentile in average exit velocity last year, and in the 79th percentile in hard hit rate. 

For KC, it's certainly a low-risk, high-reward gamble.

Photo: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports