Webb’s Signing Has A Nice Ring 

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The next time Nathan Webb steps on the Kauffman Stadium field, he would like it to be on the mound, with a ball in his right hand instead of a rake.

Webb has been on the Kansas City turf more than 100 times the past three years as a member of the Royals’ grounds crew. He started working when he was 16.

A product of high school in Lee’s Summit, Mo., Webb owns a fastball that reached 96 mph as a senior. The Royals selected him in the 34th round this year.

In addition to pitching in high school, Webb also served as starting quarterback on the football team the past two years. He had committed to play baseball at Central Missouri State, a Division II powerhouse.

Webb signed quickly with the Royals and joined the Rookie-level Arizona League team.

Webb’s senior season started late after a left knee injury he suffered while playing kickball in gym class just days before the first game.

“I bent down (and) moved too fast or something, and my knee just kind of collapsed,” Webb said. “I dislocated my kneecap. I stretched out my MCL. My first start was 12 or 13 games in. It stunk sitting there (because) that put a setback on a lot of things.

“In high school, I played third base when I didn’t pitch. I didn’t play third as much this year, just because they didn’t want me moving side-to-side as much. They just wanted me to focus on pitching.”

Webb, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 215 pounds, turns 19 on Aug. 20. He works in the 92-94 mph range, but that velocity should increase as he matures and grows. He also throws a slider, changeup and curveball.

Webb also has something no AZL player has: a 2016 World Series ring. The Royals gifted the grounds crew with championship rings.

Webb does not bring the ring with him, but he has pictures that he shows teammates.

“They’re really nice, but not quite as nice as the players’ (rings),” he said.

ROYALTIES

• The Royals promoted center fielder Bubba Starling from Double-A Northwest Arkansas to Triple-A Omaha despite the fact he hit just .185/.251/.322 in the Texas League.

• Former Pepperdine righthander A.J. Puckett, the Royals’ top pick this year (in the second round), threw four scoreless innings in his July 2 debut at low Class A Lexington.