Duenez was released by the Royals on Wednesday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.
Duenez has struggled to a combined .199/.261/.307 slash line across 92 games with Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha, prompting the Royals to cut ties with the former prospect.
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Royals' Samir Duenez: Signs minor-league deal with Royals
Rotowire
Duenez returned to the Royals on a minor-league contract Monday.
Duenez has topped out at Double-A over the last three seasons, hitting .282/.357/.463 in 80 games for Northwest Arkansas last season. He doesn't have any standout tools, so he'll have to take a jump forward to project as anything more than a backup, but he's still just 22, so such a jump can't be completely ruled out.
Duenez was non-tendered by the Royals on Friday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.
He posted a 120 wRC+ at Double-A last year in his age-21/22 season, but only hit 10 home runs in 80 games. Duenez is a first baseman, so while his bat would probably play at some positions, the bar is much higher given his defensive limitations. Flanagan reports that Duenez is expected to re-sign with Kansas City on a minor-league deal.
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Royals' Samir Duenez: Headed to Double-A
Rotowire
Duenez was sent to Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Monday, Rustin Dodd of The Athletic Kansas City reports.
Duenez went 1-for-11 with one home run and three RBI through eight spring training games. He figures to start the season with the Royals' Double-A affiliate after a short stint at big-league camp.
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Royals' Samir Duenez: Powers way through Double-A campaign
Rotowire
Duenez wrapped up 2017 with a .252/.304/.402 slash line, 17 home runs, 75 RBI, 65 runs and 10 stolen bases in 132 games with Double-A Northwest Arkansas.
Duenez's 17 bombs were a career high through his five minor-league seasons, and they ranked fifth among Texas League hitters. Furthermore, he finished as the league's only player to hit 15-plus homers while notching double-digit stolen bases. Duenez's strikeout rate (20.5 percent) was up from previous campaigns, but that's to be expected as the first baseman climbs his way toward the majors. At 21 years old, Duenez should receive a nice, long look in spring training next year, especially is Eric Hosmer is lost in free agency.
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Royals' Samir Duenez: Breaks through with perfect day
Rotowire
Duenez was perfect at the plate Wednesday, going 4-for-4 with two RBI, two runs and falling just a triple short of the cycle for Double-A Northwest Arkansas.
The first baseman has faltered a bit since making the Double-A All-Star game. Entering Wednesday, Duenez hadn't homered in 19 games, his longest drought of the season. However, he busted out in a big way and now has 13 bombs, 63 RBI and 54 runs through 104 games with the Naturals.
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Royals' Samir Duenez: Selected for Double-A All-Star Game
Rotowire
Duenez was selected for the Texas League All-Star Game to be held in Frisco on June 27.
A member of the Royals' 40-man roster, Duenez has been solid in his first full season at Double-A, hitting .267/.324/.422 through 63 games. He leads Northwest Arkansas in home runs (eight), RBI (39) and runs scored (35) this year.
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Royals' Samir Duenez: Posting strong numbers at Double-A
Rotowire
Duenez is hitting .274/.330/.446 with six home runs, 30 RBI and 23 runs through 42 games with Double-A Northwest Arkansas.
The Royals' No. 6 prospect is illustrating why the team protected him from this year's Rule 5 draft. Duenez leads the Naturals in RBI and runs. Furthermore, the first baseman's RBI total is good for fifth-best among all Texas League hitters. Ryan O'Hearn will likely beat Duenez to the big leagues, but the latter has a less flawed offensive profile.
