After two mostly seasons following a solid rookie league debut in 2013, Samir Duenez fell off most people’s prospect radar. But the Kansas City Royals farmhand has zoomed from Class A Lexington to AA NW Arkansas this season.
First baseman Duenez, who signed with Kansas City for a $425,000 bonus as a 16 year old, hit a solid .272/.312/.419 in 265 at bats at Class A Lexington to earn a mid-season promotion to High A Wilmington.
Despite jumping a level to a home park with a notoriously difficult hitting background, Duenez’s game continued to develop.