KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Royals are bringing up top prospect Nicky Lopez from Triple-A Omaha, and he could make his big league debut when Kansas City opens a series against the Texas Rangers on Tuesday.
Right-hander Jake Newberry was optioned to Omaha in a corresponding roster move Monday. The Royals still need to make a move with their 40-man roster before selecting Lopez's contract from Omaha and facing the Rangers.
The 24-year-old Lopez was the Royals' fifth-round pick in the 2016 amateur draft. He was hitting .353 with three homers and nine stolen bases in 31 games for the Storm Chasers, and he hit a combined .308 with Omaha and Double-A Northwest Arkansas last season. That success earned him the organization's George Brett Hitter of the Year award.