Frank Mozzicato, LHP
After an inconsistent start to his pro career since being drafted seventh overall in 2021, Mozzicato opened 2025 with a solid stretch for High-A Quad Cities and earned a Futures Game nod. His promotion to Double-A in May, however, brought significant struggles. Mozzicato posted a WHIP just under 2.00 and issued more walks than strikeouts. Mozzicato had been surprisingly effective to that point despite lighter stuff, but it seemed to finally catch up to him in the upper minors. Mozzicato’s fastball still tops out in the low 90s and he struggles to hold velocity. His secondaries show more potential, but he hasn’t been able to consistently land them for strikes. It’s unlikely the Royals protect him because of his performance stuff, but given his draft pedigree and their development investment in him, the decision might not be as straightforward as it seems.