The Kansas City Royals acquired oufielder Justin Maxwell from the Houston Astros on Wednesday, according to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal. The Astros will receive minor league pitcher Kyle Smith, per Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star.
Royals acquire OF Justin Maxwell
The Royals parted with a solid pitching prospect to acquire a platoon outfielder.
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
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Maxwell, 29, is hitting just .241/.311/.387 in 2013, but he is coming off a season in which he hit 18 home runs in 352 plate appearances. He spent time in all three outfield positions during his tenure in Houston, but has exclusively played in center field and right field this year. Maxwell is a prime platoon candidate; he owns a career .253/.370/.455 line against left-handed pitching.
Smith, 20, has a 2.85 ERA in two seasons in the Royals system, striking out nearly 10 batters per nine innings while walking 2.5. The 2011 fourth-round draft pick was rated as Kansas City’s fourth-best prospect by John Sickels of Minor League Ball prior to the season.
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