The Royals announced that they’ve designated infielder Braden Shewmake for assignment. That opens a 40-man roster spot for reliever Carlos Estévez, who inked a two-year free agent deal.
Shewmake was claimed off waivers from the White Sox a few weeks ago. He’d spent one season with Chicago, who acquired him from the Braves as part of the five-player trade return for lefty reliever Aaron Bummer. Chicago had opted for a depth-heavy approach in that deal. The Sox have already moved on from Nicky Lopez and Shewmake while allowing Michael Soroka to walk in free agency after one season. Lefty Jared Shuster and minor league pitcher Riley Gowens are the only players from that deal still remaining in the Chicago organization.
The lefty-hitting Shewmake was Atlanta’s first-round pick in 2019. He played two games for the Braves in 2023 and appeared in 29 contests for the White Sox. He has hit .118 with one home run over his first 71 MLB plate appearances. The Texas A&M product has had a similarly light bat over his minor league career. Shewmake hit .227/.273/.378 over 97 Double-A contests and has a career .240/.299/.395 slash across 866 Triple-A plate appearances.
Shewmake spent most of last season on the minor league injured list. In addition to his 29 MLB games, he appeared 10 times for the Sox’s top affiliate in Charlotte — where he hit .152 over 33 at-bats. Shewmake has primarily played shortstop, logging over 2000 innings at the position during his minor league career. He has more than 600 frames at second base and limited third base experience.
Kansas City will likely put him back on waivers within the next few days. Shewmake has an option remaining, so a team that claims him could keep him in Triple-A for another season. If he clears waivers, he’d stick with the Royals as non-roster depth. He has never been outrighted in his career and has less than three years of MLB service time, meaning he would not have the right to elect free agency.