Royals assign Witt, Isbel, Lynch and Kowar to minor league camp

Four players who are considered integral to the Kansas City Royals‘ future will have to remain just that — the future — for the time being.

Infielder Bobby Witt Jr., outfielder Kyle Isbel and pitchers Daniel Lynch and Jackson Kowar have been reassigned to minor league camp, the team announced Monday. That leaves 35 players, including nine non-roster invitees, in major league camp.

Of the four, three are listed among Baseball America’s Top 100 prospects: Witt (No. 16), Lynch (No. 25) and Kowar (No. 95).

Witt is hitting .289 (11 for 38) with three home runs, seven RBIs and 10 runs in 14 games this spring. Isbel’s Cactus League numbers: .333 (9 for 27), two homers, three RBIs and seven runs in 17 games.

Lynch and Kowar have gotten comparable use this spring — Lynch 9 2/3 innings, Kowar 10 1/3.

Lynch, a left-hander, is 1-2 with an 8.38 ERA and 13 strikeouts. Kowar, a right-hander, is 2-1 with a 6.97 ERA and 10 strikeouts.