Pratto has a .333 batting average with a triple and a home run, as well as a team-high six walks. After slamming 36 home runs and batting, he will be the Storm Chasers’ starting first baseman.
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Nick PrattoLast year, Pratto was in the same boat as fellow 2017 draftee MJ Melendez.
After a strong first full season at Class A Lexington, the 14th overall choice hit .191 with nine home runs in 472 plate appearances in Class A Advanced Wilmington in 2019.
The Royals were satisfied with Pratto’s performance at the alternate training facility in 2020, prior to his breakout, and believed he had learned from the experience.
Last summer, the left-handed slugger hit 36 home runs in 124 games at Double-A and Triple-A, with a .265/.385/.602 batting line.
His 71 extra-base hits ranked second in the Minors, behind only teammate Bobby Witt Jr.’s 72. Pratto was added to Kansas City’s 40-man roster in November, shielding him from the Rule 5 Draft.
Pratto’s 2021 jumps were due to a shift in his approach more than physical changes. He learned to avoid pitches below the knees and crush pitches higher in the zone at the alternate training facility.
As a result, his ground-ball rate decreased but his fly-ball rate increased, resulting in increased power. In addition, he improved his patience as a batter.
Because of his patience and desire to drive the ball, his K statistics have remained high, which has harmed his hitting ability.
However, he has an above-average offensive ceiling, with a 30-homer ceiling. His pace is erratic, but he possesses keen instincts that have allowed him to swipe ten or more bags in each season thus far.