NEW YORK -- The Royals' rebuild marches on with two more prospects acquired in the Mike Moustakas trade late Friday, both of whom general manager Dayton Moore believes will be a big part of the team's future.
The Royals acquired outfielder Brett Phillips and right-hander Jorge Lopez from the Brewers for Moustakas, whose contract was expiring this year.
Phillips, who is 24 and is ranked as the Royals' No. 8 prospect by MLB Pipeline, was Houston's sixth-round Draft pick in 2012. He is a left-handed hitter with an above-average arm. At Triple-A Colorado Springs, Phillips had six homers and 25 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. Last year at Triple-A, he posted a .944 OPS.
Phillips was expected to join the Royals on Saturday for the nightcap of the doubleheader at Yankee Stadium.
"Brett Phillips is somebody who can play all three outfield positions," Moore said. "He has a tremendous arm. He's got some gap-to-gap power. He plays with a lot of energy; he's a tremendous makeup guy, a lot of character, a lot of the things that we feel are really important for clubhouse chemistry."
Royals manager Ned Yost said he got a good scouting report on Phillips from his son, Ned, who is a coach for Colorado Springs.
"Really good defender," Yost said. "Ned's report is he can play all three positions but finds himself in right field due to [a plus] arm. He said, 'I've seen him hit with power and for average.' He said it was more last year than this year, been kind of a struggle for him this year. But a phenomenal, tremendous off-the-chart makeup. Loves to play the game, plays the game with energy and just hustles his [behind] off."
Yost said he doesn't know how Philips' arrival will affect Jorge Bonifacio, the primary right fielder now.
"I haven't decided where I'm going to play him," Yost said. "He's not even here yet. Let me look at him and see. ... In case you haven't noticed I've got a very vast overabundance of outfielders right now. I got to figure out where I'm going to play him.
"He's going to mix in. I'm not planning on playing him every day in center field, or planning on playing him every day in right field."
Lopez, 25, moved to the bullpen in 2017. He has shuttled between the big leagues and the Minors six times this season while posting a 2.75 ERA in 10 appearances.
Lopez will be assigned to Triple-A Omaha, and Moore said he isn't sure if Lopez will be a starter or a bullpen arm.
"We feel like that he'll be at least one of 12 for us at some point in time, either this year or next year, on our pitching staff," Moore said.