Kyle

Isbel

Isbel had been projected by MLBTradeRumors.com to earn $1.7 million through the arbitration process, so it looks like an equitable arrangement for both parties. The 27-year-old defensive wizard hit just .229/.287/.367 with eight homers, 42 RBI, 11 stolen bases and an 88/27 K/BB ratio over 426 plate appearances with the Royals in 2024. He’s a much better real life player than he is an asset in fantasy leagues.

Isbel was out of the lineup two games in a row earlier this week, with one of those being a very rare day off against a righty. A well-timed hot streak would help with that, and he is 5-for-11 since rejoining the lineup Tuesday. He’s far and away the Royals’ best defensive outfielder, so he doesn’t need to excel offensively in order to keep his spot.

Isbel cleared the bases with a double off Bryan Abreu in the seventh inning to give the Royals a 3-2 lead. Isbel has been hot lately going 15-for-50 (.300) with 10 RBI in his last 16 games. He’s hitting .230 with seven home runs and 38 RBI on the year so he would only be an option in AL-Only formats.

Isbel went hitless in eight straight games from July 30-Aug. 7, but he has five hits the last two days, putting him back up to .228/.284/.377 for the season. He needs a solid finish here to ensure that the Royals don’t try to upgrade in center field over the winter. His defense has justified his lineup spot, but he just hasn’t gotten any better since he debuted three years ago.

After a very quiet April and May, Isbel has stepped it up with a .308/.339/.558 line this month. He’s not doing much running (though he did try and fail on a steal attempt tonight), so there still isn’t currently much reason to consider him in mixed leagues,

Isbel will sit out for the second consecutive contest as he’s dealing with some lower back tightness, which led to his early exit from Friday’s game against the Rangers. He’s day-to-day for now.

The 27-year-old outfielder had slugged a 387-foot solo homer in his lone at-bat in the contest but was pinch-hit for the next time that he strolled to the plate in the fifth inning. It doesn’t sound like anything that should require a trip to the injured list, but fantasy managers should monitor his status over the weekend to be on the safe side.

Isbel came through with the go-ahead RBI single in the eighth inning during Thursday afternoon’s back-and-forth low-scoring affair in Cleveland. The 27-year-old was back in center field and batting ninth in this one following a one-game absence due to a linger face and neck issue stemming from last weekend’s collision with teammate Bobby Witt Jr.

Isbel left Sunday’s game with a non-concussive head and neck injury after colliding with Bobby Witt Jr. The outfielder will miss at least one more game with Garrett Hampson getting another start in center field while hitting ninth.

Isbel collided with teammate Bobby Witt and appeared to take a flying knee from the superstar shortstop right to his head. He remained in the game to finish the inning, but they ultimately thought better of it and decided to remove him. It sounds like a day-to-day type of situation, but fantasy managers should be sure to pay attention to his status over the next couple of days.