Royals pick up pair of pitching prospects for Thomas, Falter

DENVER -- The Royals traded outfielder Lane Thomas and left-handed pitcher Bailey Falter to the Braves in exchange for right-hander Lucas Braun (Atlanta’s No. 8 prospect, per MLB Pipeline) and left-hander Carter Holton.

Thomas started in Saturday night’s 12-6 loss to the Rockies at Coors Field in center field, but he came out of the contest prior to the bottom of the fourth inning and was seen getting hugs from teammates in the dugout.

The Royals signed Thomas to a one-year, $5.25 million deal this past offseason to serve as a versatile outfield option, but after injuries, underperformances and a 46-66 record, Kansas City finds itself in a position to be a seller prior to Monday’s Trade Deadline.

TRADE DETAILS
Royals receive: RHP Lucas Braun, LHP Carter Holton
Braves receive: OF Lane Thomas, LHP Bailey Falter

Thomas, who turns 31 later this month has a .232/.326/.393 slash line with 10 home runs this season, his eighth in the Majors.

The Royals designated Falter for assignment on May 27 after he posted a 13.97 ERA over five appearances (two starts) and dealt with left elbow inflammation. After he cleared waivers, the 29-year-old was sent to Triple-A Omaha, where he posted a 3.56 ERA over 17 appearances (seven starts).

The move keeps with the Royals’ approach, with a record that suggests they’d be a seller, but a simultaneous recognition that this team could compete for the postseason in 2027.

The return in Saturday’s deal is also indicative of where Kansas City is trying to go.

Braun, who turns 25 on Aug. 26, was a sixth-round Draft pick for the Braves in 2023 out of Cal State Northridge. He quickly proved to be an effective and durable starting pitcher in the Minor Leagues, reaching Double-A in his first full season (2024) and racking up the fourth-most innings pitched in the Minors (293 1/3) from 2024-25.

In 19 appearances (17 starts) this season for Double-A Columbus and Triple-A Gwinnett, Braun pitched to a 3.53 ERA. While he doesn’t have plus raw stuff, he’s proven to be a strike-thrower with a wide assortment of pitches in his arsenal, which has led to success in the upper Minors.

Braun is a hurler who could help the Royals sooner rather than later.

“That’s the hope,” general manager J.J. Picollo said. “… If he’s pitching well and the opportunity is there, we’re not going to close the door on that.”

The Braves selected Holton in the second round of the 2024 Draft out of Vanderbilt. The 23-year-old southpaw underwent Tommy John surgery later that year and missed the ’25 campaign. In 10 appearances (eight starts) between the Florida Complex League and Single-A this season, Holton posted a 4.32 ERA over 41 2/3 innings.

Picollo said that while the preference is for arms that are nearly ready to contribute in the big leagues, Holton represented a unique willingness to go outside of that parameter.

“With Carter today, we believe that’s a talent that fits our system,” Picollo said. “He was also part of a two-player return. So we were able to get something we value in the upper levels and something we value in the lower levels that will fit right in.”

Picollo reiterated that while players such as Thomas, as well as fellow outfielder Starling Marte and reliever John Schreiber -- whose contracts are set to expire at the end of the season -- are on the table, it would take a hefty return to pry controllable pieces away from Kansas City, particularly in the starting rotation.

“If you’re dealing from a position of depth, then that’s a different story,” said Picollo, referring to a rotation that will be without Cole Ragans (UCL repair), Ryan Bergert (UCL reconstruction) and potentially Stephen Kolek (right flexor strain) through a significant portion of next season.

“If we end up moving another starter, another bullpen piece, now we have a lot of work to do in the offseason,” Picollo said. “We don’t mind the work, but then there’s the reality of how much can you actually get done?”

Veteran right-hander Michael Wacha continued to up his trade stock with another strong performance during Friday’s loss. But Picollo seems loath to move Wacha or Seth Lugo, who are both under team control for multiple years, especially given the tattered state of the rotation.

Plus, 2025 All-Star left-hander Kris Bubic, also currently on the injured list, is scheduled to be a free agent after this season.

In short, it appears the Royals are trying to “control the controllables” as they thread the needle of dealing players on expiring contracts while holding on to those who are viewed as key for next year.

“The guys that have control in our pitching staff are really important to our season next year,” Picollo said. “… If somebody wants to wow us and knock our socks off, we’re wide open to it.

“But so far, that hasn’t happened. And I don’t believe it will happen.”