Misner, 27, is a Poplar Bluff, Mo., native and attended the University of Missouri from 2016-19. He was originally selected by the Royals in the 33rd round of the 2016 Draft out of Poplar Bluff High School, but he elected to go to college and turned into a first-round pick, drafted 35th overall by the Marlins in 2019.
Misner played in 71 games with Tampa Bay in 2025 and hit .213 with a .618 OPS. He made the Opening Day roster this past season for the first time in his career and, on Opening Day, he entered as a defensive replacement in the eighth inning only to find himself making history in the ninth when he hit a walk-off home run. He became the first player in Major League history to hit his first career home run in walk-off fashion on Opening Day.
Acquired by the Rays from the Marlins after the 2021 season, Misner made his big league debut on Aug. 2 of last season and has only 79 career games under his belt. He has a .203/.260/.325 career slash line, with nine doubles, one triple, five homers and eight stolen bases. Heâ€s more known for his defense, which is elite in center field thanks to good speed and a strong arm. Despite limited playing time this past season, he still recorded +5 in run value and +3 outs above average in the outfield, according to Statcast.
The Royals are searching for outfield help this offseason, specifically a bat that can lengthen the lineup and bring some impact in the middle of the order. Misner doesnâ€t fit that criteria, but he does offer controllable, center field depth as Kansas City assesses the rest of its roster and how it might be able to retool it this winter.
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