Royals trade Scott Barlow & Ryan Yarbrough right at trade deadline. Here’s the return

The Kansas City Royals made two trades as Tuesday’s MLB deadline expired, with both deals being completed shortly after the 5 p.m. deadline.

The Royals traded closer Scott Barlow to the San Diego Padres. They also sent starting pitcher Ryan Yarbrough, who was acquired prior to the 2023 season, to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

KC received some intriguing minor-league prospects in both exchanges. In the Barlow deal, the Royals received right-handed pitchers Henry Williams and Jesus Rios.

Williams, 21, is the Padres’ No. 10 prospect, per MLB.com. He recorded 40 strikeouts across 42 1/3 innings of work in Single-A baseball. The Royals like Williams’ potential to develop into a viable starter. He will be assigned to Single-A Columbia to begin his Royals tenure.

Rios made 16 relief appearances in the Dominican Summer League (DSL). He signed as an international free agent out of Mexico and will be assigned to the Royals Blue team in the DSL.

“Henry Williams was a third-round pick last year out of Duke,” Picollo said. “He had Tommy John surgery, I believe, in December of 2021 before the draft. Our scouts really liked him in the fall of 2021 and he was someone we had our eyes on going into the 2022 season.”

Williams didn’t pitch during the 2022 season. However, he made his return and has looked good following his surgery. The Royals plan to have him continue to progress in their organization.

The Royals received first baseman Devin Mann, 26, and shortstop Derlin Figueroa, 19, from the Dodgers in the Yarbrough deal.

Mann is the No. 29-ranked prospect in the Dodgers’ system, per MLB.com, and has been assigned to Triple-A Omaha. Figueroa has been assigned to the Royals’ Arizona Complex League (ASL) team.

There is a lot to like about both infielders. Mann hit .307 with 14 home runs, 71 RBIs and 33 doubles in 89 games for the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate. He was selected in the fifth round of the 2018 MLB Draft.

Figueroa posted a .746 OPS (on-base plus slugging) in the ASL this season. He signed as an international free agent during the 2021 campaign.

“Devin Mann is an interesting player,” Picollo said. “He is 26 years old and has played just about every position on the field. His OPS is over .900. ... We think just because of that versatility he could potentially help us.”

Picollo also highlighted Figueroa’s plate discipline. He mentioned that Figueroa has a solid walk rate that appealed to the scouting department.

“If you look at his swing on video, he has a really good swing,” Picollo said. “You know, there is power there. He is going to play more of the corners.”

The Royals will continue to evaluate their roster. The departures of Barlow and Yarbrough will open more opportunities for the KC pitching staff.

Barlow, 30, has a 5.35 ERA (13 saves) this season, but he was far more dominant the last two seasons. In 2021, he made 71 appearances with a 2.42 ERA. In 2022, he made 69 appearances with a 2.18 ERA.

Barlow is allowing a career-worst 1.55 WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched) this season.

Yarbrough, 31, posted a 4.24 ERA in 51 innings this season. He has appeared in 14 games (seven starts), but he has been at his best since making a return from the injured list.

In his last four starts — since he returned from a facial injury suffered when he was hit in the face by a line drive — Yarbrough is 3-1 with a 2.19 ERA. He allowed one run in seven innings against the Minnesota Twins on Sunday.

“Really appreciate Scott Barlow, in particular, what he did for this organization,” Picollo said. “And Ryan Yarbrough, kind of a wild six months that he was with us, with the freak accident a couple months ago. But the way he’s pitched here lately was really impressive.

“Happy they’re getting a chance to go compete and possibly play in the playoffs.”

Other moves for the Royals around the trade deadline included the club sending infielder Nicky Lopez to the Atlanta Braves and reliever Jose Cuas to the Chicago Cubs.

The Royals acquired left-handed pitcher Taylor Hearn in the Lopez deal, outfielder Nelson Velázquez in exchange for Cuas and lefty pitcher Tucker Davidson from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for cash considerations.

“We really added two pitchers and, counting yesterday, three bats,” Picollo said. “The right-handed side is something we’ve been thinking about. So we were able to get two guys that hit from the right side at the upper levels.”