The Kansas City Royals’ system is really young — I count eight teenagers plus one prospect who just turned 20 last month, and only three of their 20 prospects listed here went to college. They’ve gone after higher-ceiling guys in the draft and internationally in the last few years, and the result is a system that has a lot of potential without as many “now” prospects to fill up a top 100.
(Note: Tools are graded on a 20-80 scouting scale; ages as of July 1, 2026.)
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 210 | Bats: L | Throws: R | Age: 22
Jensen began the 2025 season in Double A and finished it in the big leagues, getting better at each stop and posting one of the best debuts of any rookie hitter last year. Of all rookies with at least 50 PA — still a small sample — Jensen’s .391 OBP and his .550 slugging percentage each ranked third. He’s a real two-way threat as a plus defensive catcher with a plus arm and above-average receiving skills who also happens to have plus power and an advanced feel for the strike zone. When the Royals took Jensen out of a Kansas City high school in the third round in 2021, his body wasn’t great and the assumption was he’d move out from behind the plate and just go be a power-hitting DH, but he’s worked extremely hard on his conditioning since then, with his body in the best shape of his life right now (and for once, that phrase actually means something), so that now his athleticism comes through more in his defense and he’s even showing close to average speed on the bases.
He has always drawn walks, but in the past two years he’s converted that patience more into production by capitalizing on those favorable counts. In the minors last year, when he was ahead in the count and then put the ball in play, he hit .420/.563/.614. He’s going to be a legit Rookie of the Year candidate this year as a true catcher who could hit 20 homers with a strong OBP, and with 3-plus WAR potential right away thanks to the defense and positional adjustment.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 202 | Bats: L | Throws: R | Age: 21
The 2025 season was mostly a lost year for Mitchell, the Royals’ first-round pick in 2023, as he broke a hamate bone in February, suffered a setback in the spring while rehabbing, and never got his hand strength back even through a stint in the Arizona Fall League — which is within the normal timeframe for recovery from that injury. When healthy, he’s the best defensive catcher in the Royals’ system, a plus receiver and framer with at least a 60 arm, and has the raw power to be a regular at the position even if he doesn’t hit for a high average. He did at least post some high walk rates in 2025, with a .372 OBP in High A and .434 OBP in his AFL stint, even when he didn’t hit for average at all, a combination of some real pitch recognition and, in my opinion, a shift in his approach because he wasn’t completely comfortable letting it loose because of the injury. He did show some flashes of his prior self as the fall season progressed, hitting one ball at 116 mph in the third week of the AFL and getting over 100 mph in nine of his last 10 games where he put a ball in play, so there’s reason to believe he’s going to be 100 percent for spring training. He still projects as an everyday catcher who might hit .230 or so with 20 homers and plus defense, which is a regular for almost every team in baseball.
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 160 | Bats: R | Throws: R | Age: 18
When Chourio reached Low A last July, he became the first pitcher under age 18 in full-season ball since Julio Urías debuted in Low A in 2013. Chourio signed last January for $247,500, began in the Dominican Summer League, then moved to the Arizona Complex League, and between those two stops he walked one batter in 28 2/3 innings for a 0.9 percent walk rate. He finished the year in the Carolina League, where his walk rate soared to 4.2 percent (that’s sarcasm) and he did have real issues with men on base, giving up a .340/.389/.740 line in a small sample of 54 PA. He doesn’t look like a 17-year-old on the mound, certainly, with exceptional command of a three-pitch mix that includes a 94-97 mph four-seamer with some ride and natural cut to it, an upper-70s curveball that seems to drop off the table, and an 84-88 mph changeup with good fade that he almost exclusively used against lefties. He’s already stronger than his listed weight of 160, with a good lower half to maintain that velocity and perhaps add a little more as he becomes an adult. There’s obvious risk with any pitcher his age throwing even moderately hard, and he does have to pitch better from the stretch, but this is everything you’d want to see in a young pitching prospect, including the potential upside of 80 command.
Josh Hammond has plus arm strength and power potential at the plate. (Tracy Proffitt / Four Seam Images via Associated Press)
4. Josh Hammond, SSHeight: 6-1 | Weight: 210 | Bats: R | Throws: R | Age: 19
Hammond was the Royals’ second pick in the 2025 draft (pick No. 28), five picks after their first selection, and I ranked him as the best prospect in their class. He’s a shortstop who’ll probably go to third base and could be plus there, helped by his 70 arm that was up to 95 mph when he pitched as an amateur. He has plus raw power already and showed a good approach for a teenage hitter even against better stuff, with a weakness for breaking pitches down and away that’s very typical for hitters his age (or any age). It’s All-Star upside, a third baseman who has real impact on both sides of the ball. He’ll make his pro debut this spring.
5. Sean Gamble, OFHeight: 6-1 | Weight: 188 | Bats: L | Throws: R | Age: 19
The Royals’ actual first pick (No. 23 selection), Gamble will go out in pro ball as a center fielder, where his 70 speed could make him a plus defender, giving him more value than if he’d stayed at second base. He has excellent bat speed and makes hard enough contact to get to some power if he gets more loft in his swing. I wrote at the time of the draft that he had 20-homer, 40-steal upside, which I think is still the case, depending on how well he adapts to pro pitching.
6. David Shields, LHPHeight: 6-2 | Weight: 210 | Bats: B | Throws: L | Age: 19
Shields was the Royals’ second-round pick in 2024, after they took Jac Caglianone in the first round. They selected Shields on the basis of his high levels of athleticism and command. He had just fringy velocity as an amateur, with plenty of projection on his frame to add some, and that is still exactly true today — which is not, in any way, a bad thing. It might be the best thing if the velocity is going to come eventually; I’d rather see any pitcher add it gradually than gain 7-8 mph in a single offseason, based on what we do know about elbow health (even if the evidence is sparse). Anyway, Shields is mostly 89-90 right now, topping out around 93, with deception to his delivery and advanced feel to pitch for his age. His slider has some tilt and plays up because he comes back across his body, the one part of his delivery I would like to see the Royals change. His best pitch right now is his changeup, helping him to a reverse platoon split last year. Anyone looking at his statline — 2.01 ERA, a 5.1 percent walk rate and a 28.3 percent strikeout rate for an 18-year-old in 71 2/3 innings — will probably overrate him. He’s still a very promising prospect whose ceiling comes down to how his velocity develops as he gets older.
7. Michael Lombardi, RHPHeight: 6-3 | Weight: 201 | Bats: R | Throws: R | Age: 22
Lombardi was the third pick (second round) in the Royals’ strong 2025 draft class after a spring where he started out as a center fielder/relief pitcher for Tulane and ended it making six starts, including an 11-strikeout, seven-inning performance in the American Athletic Conference tournament. He’s up to 97 with good carry up top and can spin a curveball that’s a 55ish pitch now and projects to plus. He’s an excellent athlete, as you’d hope for a center fielder and a two-way guy, and has a solid delivery for a starter, with a high three-quarters slot that still allows him to work laterally. He’ll need to develop his changeup and bring his walk rate way down from the 12.5 percent he posted last spring. I absolutely see a starter here, just with more volatility than the typical college arm offers.
8. Yandel Ricardo, SSHeight: 6-1 | Weight: 180 | Bats: B | Throws: R | Age: 19
Ricardo hit .342/.438/.533 in 33 games in the Arizona Complex League last year, then moved up to Low A and struggled, hitting .212/.279/.268 and looking more fatigued by year’s end. He’s a switch hitter who can go down and get it and does project to hit for power, just lacking the present strength for more than doubles power. He also has good hands and actions to stick at shortstop. He has already gotten much stronger this offseason, so we’ll see if that translates into better endurance for a full season — and maybe a few more balls in the seats.
9. Ramon Ramirez, CHeight: 6-0 | Weight: 180 | Bats: R | Throws: R | Age: 21
Ramirez has a 70 arm and can be an above-average catcher, yet during the season last year his attention and focus would lag and he’d look like a below-average catcher who would move to another position. He does hit, though, poking 11 homers in 70 games in his first time in Low A with a 21.1 percent strikeout rate, more than enough to think he’ll be an average everyday backstop at worst as long as he stays back there. It’s up to him now, as that position, more than any other, really demands dedication and commitment from the player.
10. Justin Lamkin, LHPHeight: 6-4 | Weight: 210 | Bats: R | Throws: L | Age: 22
Lamkin has a high-effort delivery that comes across his body, making his average slider a little better but giving right-handed hitters a good look at the ball. His fastball was fringy much of the spring, but he has been up to 96, and he compensates by throwing a ton of strikes. I have a hard time seeing a guy with this delivery and a platoon split in college, with a .422 SLG allowed to righties and .258 to lefties, turning over even a good minor-league lineup two or three times.
11. Freddy Contreras, RHPHeight: 5-11 | Weight: 178 | Bats: B | Throws: R | Age: 17
Contreras was excellent in the Dominican Summer League last year, throwing 30 innings across 10 appearances with a 29.6 percent strikeout rate and 10.4 percent walk rate. He sits 95-98 with a hammer curveball and an advanced feel for his hard-tailing changeup, coming from a high three-quarters arm slot and repeating his delivery well to get to strikes. He didn’t turn 17 until mid-August, so if he goes to the Arizona Complex League this year he’ll be that age for the entire ACL season. Of course, if he keeps this up, he’ll be in Low A by his birthday. He’s so young and far away from the majors by development time, but he has mid-rotation upside easily.
12. Ramcell Medina, SS/3BHeight: 6-1 | Weight: 155 | Bats: R | Throws: R | Age: 18
Medina signed out of the Dominican Republic for $947,000 in January 2025 and has already changed his body, leaning out and getting stronger, with just flashes of power now but the potential for 15-20 homers down the road. He’s a disciplined hitter, walking more than he struck out in the Dominican Summer League last year. He has the arm strength for the left side of the infield and at least a chance to stick at short, although he and Warren Calcaño will probably split time there and move around the infield for the near future. Calcaño has the better chance to play short while Medina might have the higher upside with the bat.
13. Warren Calcaño, SSHeight: 6-1 | Weight: 154 | Bats: B | Throws: R | Age: 18
Calcaño signed out of the Dominican Republic last January for about $1.85 million, but played just nine games before a shoulder injury ended his season, requiring surgery that shouldn’t impact his throwing going forward or hold back his 2026 season. He’s a definite shortstop with good actions and he had plenty of arm strength prior to the injury. At the plate, he’s a switch hitter, better from the left side, with a good feel for the strike zone. The Royals’ folks compare him to Marcelo Mayer, who had a sweet left-handed swing as an amateur and a good frame for wiry strength. Calcaño should be ready to rock in spring training and will play in the ACL this year, which will be the first real look other teams get at him on the field.
Steven Zobac was limited by a knee injury last season. (Michael Zagaris / Athletics / Getty Images)
14. Steven Zobac, RHPHeight: 6-3 | Weight: 185 | Bats: L | Throws: R | Age: 25
I thought Zobac would have graduated from this list by now, but he came down with tendinitis in his knee early in the season and was never right after that, even though he returned to make nine more starts in Double A before leaving a start in August after one batter and heading to the IL for the rest of 2025. I saw him in Surprise, Ariz., before the knee flared up, and he was 94-96 with a plus changeup and above-average slider in a minor-league start, which was an improvement in his stuff across the board. Here’s hoping that guy returns after an offseason of recovery; the Royals hope so too, as they added him to their 40-man roster in November.
15. Luinder Avila, RHPHeight: 6-3 | Weight: 195 | Bats: R | Throws: R | Age: 24
Avila’s a two-pitch reliever who sits 95-96 with a plus curveball, throwing just enough strikes to be a middle reliever in the majors right now. He started last year in the Triple-A Omaha rotation but he went down with a shoulder impingement, returning after two months to make one appearance and then head to the big leagues for his debut. His stuff held up after his return and he’s been a consistent 45 control guy regardless of role. If he throws more strikes, he could be a setup man. If he’s going to go back to the rotation, he’ll need some kind of third pitch.
16. Felix Arronde, RHPHeight: 6-3 | Weight: 185 | Bats: L | Throws: R | Age: 23
Arronde sits 94-95 with a short slider and fair splitter, throwing strikes with a simple delivery but not missing enough bats. He was 22 in High A and struck out just 19.5 percent of batters he faced, with an overall whiff rate of 27 percent and only 19 percent on the fastball. The automatic answer here is he will be a “reliever,” but his control, delivery and three pitches should mean the Royals exhaust every possibility of starting him, maybe by trying some alternative pitch shapes for the fastball and slider.
17. Hiro Wyatt, RHPHeight: 6-1 | Weight: 190 | Bats: R | Throws: R | Age: 21
Wyatt is an athletic right-hander with good feel to pitch but insufficient stuff. He’s 90-93 with a decent slider and a too-firm changeup, with a loose arm and some ride on the fastball from a slot a little below three-quarters. He’s mostly around the plate, but gives up too much hard contact, not surprising given the present stuff. He turned 21 last August, so it’s time for him to show a little more oomph, or High-A hitters will show him the door.
18. Ben Kudrna, RHPHeight: 6-3 | Weight: 175 | Bats: R | Throws: R | Age: 23
The second pick among the Royals’ high school pitching trio from their 2021 draft class, Kudrna is probably a swingman or up-and-down starter, as his velocity has never matched what it was in his draft year. He’s 91-93 as a starter with a 55 slider and 45 command, competing well but ultimately lacking the stuff to get better hitters out. He reached Triple A last year and allowed 18 runs in 11 1/3 innings thanks to 17 walks and three homers allowed. I’d like to see if his stuff ticks up at all in shorter outings.
19. Daniel Vazquez, IFHeight: 6-2 | Weight: 150 | Bats: R | Throws: R | Age: 22
Vazquez had a solid year in High A as a 21-year-old, hitting .260/.336/.349 as an everyday shortstop, then was one of the best performers in the Arizona Fall League, as he hit just about everything hard for a couple of weeks. He can play shortstop and he’s an above-average runner with some base-stealing acumen. He wasn’t 100 percent physically last year even though he didn’t miss much time, and he makes hard enough contact that he should put a few more balls in the seats — his six homers in 412 professional games is alarmingly low. He looks like a strong utility infielder with some feel for the zone and maybe a little more pop than you expect from the statline.
20. Asbel Gonzalez, OFHeight: 6-2 | Weight: 170 | Bats: R | Throws: R | Age: 20
Gonzalez can run, play center and get on base, but his lack of power is severe enough that I’m not sure if he’s more than an emergency call-up. He has two professional home runs in 203 games, one of them last year, a season where he slugged .289 … and that reflects three triples that probably came from his legs. He stole 78 bases last year in 104 attempts, and he might be a 70 defender in center. That gets you to the majors, but not much more. He’s 6-2 and should be strong enough for some impact, just to be able to hit for average, but he posted a .298 BABIP last year, which should be impossible for someone with his speed. I’m not giving up here, just pointing out that his odds are long.
2026 impact
Carter Jensen needs to be the Royals’ Opening Day catcher and will be a Rookie of the Year candidate.
The fallen
I loved Gavin Cross in the 2022 draft and thought the Royals did a great job selecting him with their first pick, after which he had a stellar pro debut in Low A. He came down with Rocky Mountain spotted fever that offseason and has never been the hitter I expected, hitting .241/.291/.413 last year while repeating Double A as a 24-year-old.
Sleeper
I really want to see what Contreras — another signee under new international scouting director Daniel Guerrero — can do against better hitters this year in the ACL or even Low A, following in Kendry Chourio’s footsteps.