For Pete's Sake

Drew Waters, who came to Royals in a trade, is off to blazing start at Triple-A Omaha

Atlanta Braves’ Drew Waters reacts after grounding out to third base during the eighth inning of an exhibition baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Wednesday, July 22, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Atlanta Braves’ Drew Waters reacts after grounding out to third base during the eighth inning of an exhibition baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Wednesday, July 22, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis) AP

Fifteen games does not a season make, but it’s enough to make a good first impression. And center fielder Drew Waters has done just that.

The Royals acquired Waters last month in a trade with the Atlanta Braves. He was put on the 40-man roster and optioned to Triple-A Omaha.

Waters, a switch hitter, has started off strong with the Storm Chasers. He’s batting .322 with four home runs, three doubles and a triple in 15 games. Although he’s struck out 20 times, Waters has also drawn 10 walks. And Waters has stolen nine bases without being caught.

On Saturday, Waters hit a pair of home runs in Omaha’s 6-3 win at Syracuse, and he was called a “cheat code” by the announcer.

Waters flashed the leather earlier in the week against Syracuse. That was in a game in which he went 3 for 3 with a home run and a three RBIs.

That home run, by the way, came against Mets ace Jacob deGrom, who was on a rehab assignment at Syracuse.

Pete Grathoff
The Kansas City Star
From covering the World Series to the World Cup, Pete Grathoff has done a little bit of everything since joining The Kansas City Star in 1997.
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