Kyle Isbel
{{Short description|American baseball player (born 1997)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name = Kyle Isbel
|image = Kyle Isbel (51162714931) (cropped).jpg
|caption = Isbel with the Omaha Storm Chasers in 2021
|team = Kansas City Royals
|number = 28
|position = Center fielder
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|3|3}}
|birth_place = Fontana, California, U.S.
|bats = Left
|throws = Right
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate = April 1
|debutyear = 2021
|debutteam = Kansas City Royals
|statleague = MLB
|statyear = June 30, 2025
|stat1label = Batting average
|stat1value = .234
|stat2label = Home runs
|stat2value = 22
|stat3label = Runs batted in
|stat3value = 127
|stat4label = Stolen bases
|stat4value = 31
|teams =
- Kansas City Royals ({{mlby|2021}}–present)
}}
Kyle Grant Isbel (born March 3, 1997) is an American professional baseball center fielder for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2021.
Amateur career
Isbel attended Etiwanda High School in Rancho Cucamonga, California, where he played baseball.{{Cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/highschool/la-sp-top-baseball-players-20150223-story.html|title = Southern California's prep baseball players to watch in 2015|website = Los Angeles Times|date = February 23, 2015}} As a junior, he hit .347.{{cite web |last=Inland |first=The |url=https://www.dailybulletin.com/2014/07/22/chatter-etiwanda-baseball-player-kyle-isbel-commits-to-unlv/ |title=CHATTER: Etiwanda baseball player Kyle Isbel commits to UNLV – Daily Bulletin |publisher=Dailybulletin.com |date=July 22, 2014 |access-date=November 30, 2020}} Following his junior year, he committed to play college baseball at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV).{{cite news |url=http://www.insidesocal.com/onpreps/2014/07/21/etiwanda-baseball-standout-kyle-isbel-commits-to-unlv/ |title=Etiwanda baseball standout Kyle Isbel commits to UNLV | Prep Sports Bulletin |newspaper=Prep Sports Bulletin |publisher=Insidesocal.com |date=July 21, 2014 |access-date=November 30, 2020}} Undrafted in the 2015 Major League Baseball draft, he enrolled at UNLV.
In 2016, Isbel's freshman season at UNLV, he hit .319 with one home run and 28 RBIs over 56 games, earning Mountain West Conference co-Freshman of the Year honors.{{cite web |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2017/feb/17/unlv-hoping-coach-maddux-will-elevate-pitching-sta/ |title=UNLV hoping coach Maddux will elevate pitching staff - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper |date=February 17, 2017 |publisher=Lasvegassun.com |access-date=November 30, 2020}}{{cite web |last=Dewey |first=Todd |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/unlv/other-sports/four-drafted-unlv-players-sign-pro-baseball-contracts/ |title=Four drafted UNLV players sign pro baseball contracts | Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=June 21, 2016 |publisher=Reviewjournal.com |access-date=November 30, 2020}} That summer, he played in the California Collegiate League for the Santa Barbara Foresters.{{cite news |url=https://nbcbaseball.com/foresters-capture-sixth-nbcws-title/ |title=Foresters capture sixth NBCWS title - National Baseball Congress |newspaper=National Baseball Congress |publisher=Nbcbaseball.com |date=August 14, 2016 |access-date=November 30, 2020}} As a sophomore at UNLV in 2017, he played in 55 games, batting .290 with six home runs and 26 RBIs.{{cite web |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/unlv/other-sports/unlv-roundup-two-baseball-players-net-preseason-honors/ |title=UNLV roundup: Two baseball players net preseason honors | Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 6, 2018 |publisher=Reviewjournal.com |access-date=November 30, 2020}}{{cite web |last=Short |first=Garrett |url=https://www.isustudentmedia.com/indiana_statesman/sports/article_4710de06-12ae-11e8-9246-8bd80f4dcb11.html |title=Baseball hits Vegas to start season | Sports |publisher=isustudentmedia.com |date=February 15, 2018 |access-date=November 30, 2020}} Following the season, he played in the Cape Cod Baseball League with the Yarmouth–Dennis Red Sox, where he was named a league all-star.{{cite web |last=Kostinas |first=George |url=https://yarmouth.wickedlocal.com/sports/20170622/y-d-red-sox-solid-performances-bring-early-season-success |title=Y-D RED SOX: Solid performances bring early season success - Sports - The Register - Yarmouth, MA |publisher=Yarmouth.wickedlocal.com |access-date=November 30, 2020}}{{cite web |url=http://baseball.pointstreak.com/player.html?playerid=1073031&seasonid=30631 |title=#2 Kyle Isbel |publisher=pointstreak.com |access-date=July 20, 2021}} In 2018, his junior year, Isbel slashed .357/.441/.643 with 14 home runs and 56 RBIs over 59 games,[https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article212586094.html The Kansas City Star] (subscription required) earning All-MW First-Team honors.{{cite web |url=https://themw.com/news/2018/5/24/mw-announces-2018-all-conference-baseball-team-and-individual-awards.aspx?path=baseball |title=MW Announces 2018 All-Conference Baseball Team and Individual Awards - Mountain West Conference |publisher=Themw.com |date=May 24, 2018 |access-date=November 30, 2020}} After the season, he was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the third round of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web |last=Steele |first=Allan |url=https://www.pe.com/2018/06/05/mlb-draft-three-area-baseball-standouts-taken-on-day-2/ |title=MLB draft: Three area baseball standouts taken on Day 2 – Press Enterprise |work=Press Enterprise |publisher=Pe.com |date=June 5, 2018 |access-date=November 30, 2020}}{{cite web |last=Gallanty |first=Justin |url=https://www.milb.com/burlington-royals/news/royals-pick-up-four-arms-and-four-bats-on-day-two/c-279978744 |title=Royals Pick up Four Arms and Four Bats on Day Two | Burlington |publisher=Milb.com |date=June 5, 2018 |access-date=November 30, 2020}}{{cite web |author=staff and wire reports |url=https://www.cjonline.com/sports/20180605/mlb-draft-royals-add-unlv-2b-kyle-isbel-arkansas-of-eric-cole-during-earlier-rounds-on-day-2 |title=MLB Draft: Royals add UNLV 2B Kyle Isbel, Arkansas OF Eric Cole during earlier rounds on Day 2 - Sports - The Topeka Capit→al-Journal - Topeka, KS |publisher=Cjonline.com |date=June 5, 2018 |access-date=November 30, 2020}}
Professional career
Isbel signed with the Royals and made his professional debut with the Idaho Falls Chukars before being promoted to the Lexington Legends.{{cite web |last=Lara |first=Vincent |url=https://www.milb.com/pioneer/news/kyle-isbel-goes-one-better-than-cycle-for-idaho-falls-chuckars/c-286185906 |title=Kyle Isbel goes one better than cycle for Idaho Falls Chuckars | Pioneer League |publisher=Milb.com |date=July 17, 2018 |access-date=November 30, 2020}} Over 64 games between the two clubs, Isbel hit .326 with seven home runs, 32 RBIs, and 24 stolen bases.{{Cite web |url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/kyle-isbel-intrigues-with-his-versatility/|title = Kyle Isbel Intrigues with His Versatility| date=October 25, 2018 }} In 2019, he began the year with the Wilmington Blue Rocks. He was placed on the injured list in April,{{cite web |author=RotoWire Staff |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/royals-kyle-isbel-hot-start-interrupted-by-face-injury/ |title=Royals' Kyle Isbel: Hot start interrupted by face injury |date=April 23, 2019 |publisher=CBSSports.com |access-date=November 30, 2020}} and was activated in July.{{cite web |author=RotoWire Staff |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/royals-kyle-isbel-back-in-action-at-high-a/ |title=Royals' Kyle Isbel: Back in action at High-A |date=July 13, 2019 |publisher=CBSSports.com |access-date=November 30, 2020}} He appeared in seven rehab games before being reassigned to Wilmington.{{cite web |author=RotoWire Staff |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/royals-kyle-isbel-begins-rehab-assignment/ |title=Royals' Kyle Isbel: Begins rehab assignment |date=July 5, 2019 |publisher=CBSSports.com |access-date=November 30, 2020}} Over 52 games with the Blue Rocks, Isbel hit .216 with five home runs and 23 RBIs. He played in the Arizona Fall League for the Surprise Saguaros after the season,{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/royals/news/royals-arizona-fall-league-updates |title=Royals Arizona Fall League updates | Kansas City Royals |work=Mlb.com |date=October 26, 2019 |access-date=November 30, 2020}} earning All-Star honors.{{cite web |last=Janus |first=Matt |url=https://www.milb.com/wilmington/news/three-former-rocks-to-participate-in-arizona-fall-league-all-star-game/c-311107094 |title=Three Former Rocks to Participate in Arizona Fall League All-Star Game | Blue Rocks |publisher=Milb.com |date=October 9, 2019 |access-date=November 30, 2020}} He did not play a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
On March 31, 2021, Royals manager Mike Matheny announced the Isbel had made Kansas City's Opening Day roster and would be starting in right field.{{cite web | title=Royals' Kyle Isbel: Set to start in right field | website=CBSSports.com | date=2021-03-31 | url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/royals-kyle-isbel-set-to-start-in-right-field/ | access-date=2025-04-01}} On April 1, he was selected to the 40-man roster.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/04/royals-dfa-meibrys-viloria-scott-blewett.html|title=Royals DFA Meibrys Viloria, Scott Blewett|date=April 1, 2021|website=MLB Trade Rumors|accessdate=June 29, 2023}} Isbel made his MLB debut the same day, collecting his first MLB hit, an RBI single off of Kyle Gibson of the Texas Rangers. He finished the game three for five with two RBIs.{{cite web |url=https://www.google.com/search?q=texas+rangers+game&safe=active#sie=m;/g/11n0bxdlsh;4;/m/09p14;tb2;fp;1;; |title=Search results |website=www.google.com}} {{Better source needed|date=August 2022}}
On September 3, 2022, in a 12–2 win over the Detroit Tigers, Isbel hit his first career grand slam off of reliever Jason Foley.{{cite web | title=Royals' Kyle Isbel: Hits grand slam in win | website=CBSSports.com | date=September 4, 2022 | url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/royals-kyle-isbel-hits-grand-slam-in-win/amp/ | access-date=March 9, 2025}}
On May 4, 2023, Isbel exited a game against the Baltimore Orioles with a hamstring strain. The following day, he was diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstring strain and ruled out for 6 weeks.{{Cite web|title=Royals' Kyle Isbel: Exits with hamstring strain|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/royals-kyle-isbel-exits-with-hamstring-strain/|access-date=May 11, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=May 4, 2023 |language=en}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Baseballstats|mlb=664728|espn=41263|br=i/isbelky01|fangraphs=21614|brm=isbel-000kyl|retro=I/Pisbek001}}
{{Kansas City Royals roster navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Isbel, Kyle}}
Category:Arizona League Royals players
Category:Etiwanda High School alumni
Category:Idaho Falls Chukars players
Category:Kansas City Royals players
Category:Lexington Legends players
Category:Major League Baseball outfielders
Category:Omaha Storm Chasers players
Category:Baseball players from Fontana, California
Category:Surprise Saguaros players
Category:UNLV Rebels baseball players