Royals Reliever Emerging as Potential Trade Chip Ahead of Deadline

As mid-June looms, the Royals face an Aug. 3 trade deadline with a 28-43 record, spotlighting pitching as their primary trade currency. Right-hander John Schreiber has emerged as a notable change-up from a rough start, delivering a 0.87 ERA in May across 10 1/3 innings after a 11 2/3-inning opening stretch that yielded six runs. Velocity gains mark his recent surge, with the four-seam fastball sitting around 93.1 mph earlier this season and climbing to 94-95 mph, topping at 97. Through six June innings, he struck out nine and posted strong ground-ball numbers (45.8%), enhancing his trade value and making him a plausible deadline candidate for Kansas City’s front office.