The Kansas City Royals acquired right-handed reliever Hunter Harvey from the Washington Nationals Saturday, improving one of the game’s worst bullpens as the club competes in the American League Wild Card race.
Harvey, 29, has been the Nationals’ top reliever for the last three seasons. Despite the standard ERA ballooning to 4.20 this season, nearly everything else suggests he’s about as good as ever, including a career-best 3.22 xFIP.
Harvey is mostly a two-pitch arm, sitting 96-99 mph with a four-seam fastball (.245 BAA, 23% whiff), and a splitter to miss bats. He also has a curveball (.158 BAA, 30% whiff, 9.9% usage) and slider (4.4%).
The splitter has been hit by left-handed batters this year despite the solid whiff rates (.367 BAA, .467 SLGA) after batting just .242 with one extra-base hit off the pitch a year ago.
The former first-round pick (2013) joins the Royals’ efforts for the postseason and will not qualify for free agency until after 2025. He’s earning $2.325 million for 2024 (due about another $1 million this season) and figures to land in the $4-5 million range next season in his final stab at arbitration.
Harvey certainly will get chances in high-leverage scenarios, whether that includes actual ‘closing’ duties remains to be seen. Current closer James McArthur has 17 saves in 21 chances.
The Royals’ relief staff has been hit hard this season in high-leverage spots (see above). Harvery, on the other hand, has limited batters to a .183/.269/.317 slash in the same situations.
Through Saturday, the Royals are one full game back of the No. 3 Wild Card at 52-44. It would surprise no one if they continued picking away at weaknesses before the deadline, including more pitching help.
In return, the Nationals received infield prospect Cayden Wallace and the No. 39 pick in the 2024 Draft. The pick is worth an additional $2.395 million toward Washington’s bonus pool, giving them the eighth-highest pool at $13,895,100.
Wallace, 23 in August, was the Royals’ second-round pick (No. 49) out of Arkansas two years ago and is generally considered among the organization’s top 10 prospects. In 41 games this season, 34 at Double-A Northwest Arkansas, Wallace hit .280/.348/.406. A year ago he batted .253 with 13 homers and 18 stole bases.
The scouting report on Wallace projects an average hit tool with average to above-average power, average speed, and a defensive profile best suited for third base, including big-time arm strength.
“He’s at least an extra guy,” said one scout just after the trade was made, “he should do enough with the bat to help from the bench, and start some at his peak, if not sooner.”
The right-handed hitter has solid instincts across the board, suggesting a chance for the tools to play up a bit. He makes fairly consistent, and the bat speed and swing could land him in the 15-20 homer range on the upside.
FSS PLUS senior analyst Joe Doyle had mocked left-handed pitcher Dasan Hill from Grapevine High School (Texas) to the Royals at No. 39, the pick now owned by Washington. Full Mock Here.
Doyle’s full Final Draft Board Here
The Nationals sit six games out of the final playoff spot in the National League with seven teams to pass. This deal may not be their last, with fellow right-handed reliever Kyle Finnegan another attractive target for the late innings.
Outfielders Lane Thomas and Jesse Winker also could draw interest.
The Nationals did pretty well here, adding a position player within a year or so of the show, and adding a significant pick and bonus flexibility in the No. 39 selection.
It’s hardly a poor deal for the Royals, however, adding Harvey for essentially a year and a half — at more than reasonable salaries, to boot — impacting their playoff hunt in 2024 while addressing their greatest need. They still possess a bonus pool of just over $13 million, the ninth most in the league, and own picks 4, 41, and 76 through the first three rounds.
TRADE GRADE (20-80 scale)
Royals: 55
Nationals: 55
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