Royals will take a chance on pitching prospect in trade with San Francisco Giants
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Royals acquire right-hander Mason Black from Giants, sending Logan Martin to SF.
- Black offers starter-reliever versatility after 114 K in 119 1/3 minor-league innings.
- Deal expands bullpen depth as Royals replace free-agent exits and injuries.
The Kansas City Royals continue to build roster depth with the acquisition of right-handed pitcher Mason Black from the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday.
Black, 25, appeared in one MLB game in 2025. He allowed three earned runs and struck out five batters in four relief innings against the Athletics on July 4.
The Royals sent right-handed pitcher Logan Martin to the Giants in the deal.
Black is the second player to be acquired this week. On Monday, the Royals traded for outfielder Kameron Misner from the Tampa Bay Rays. Both players will have an opportunity to make the club in spring training.
This season, the Royals relied on a strong pitching staff. However, the unit will have a few openings after fifth-starter Michael Lorenzen and relievers Hunter Harvey and Sam Long entered free agency.
Black has versatility as either a starter or reliever. He finished 3-10 with a 5.81 ERA in 30 appearances (24 starts) with the Sacramento River Cats — the Giants’ Triple-A affiliate — in 2025.
The Royals will take a chance on his development. Black posted 114 strikeouts in 119 ⅓ innings and also arrives with major-league experience. In 2024, he appeared in nine games (eight starts) with the Giants.
Since 2022, Black led all the Giants prospects with 492 strikeouts in 103 minor-league appearances.
The Royals now have 37 players on their 40-man roster. The trade comes after Black was designated for assignment last week.
Martin, 23, posted a 3.45 ERA in 22 starts with High-A Quad Cities. He continued to pitch this fall with the Surprise Saguaros in the Arizona Fall League.
The Royals selected Martin in the 12th round of the 2023 MLB Draft.
This story was originally published November 11, 2025 at 2:20 PM.
