The Kansas City Royals finished the 2025 season with an 82-80 record, falling short of their postseason hopes after making the playoffs in 2024, and now several prospects are knocking on the door as the front office looks to retool heading into 2026.<\/p>\n
The Royals’ biggest need remains clear, as their outfield ranked dead last in baseball with a 70 wRC+ and -1.4 fWAR in 2025, while the rotation has plenty of depth with Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, Kris Bubic, and Noah Cameron all in the mix.<\/p>\n
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Here is a look at four prospects who could get the call and which one makes the most sense.<\/p>\n
Ben Kudrna \u2014 RHP (No. 7)<\/p>\n
Ben Kudrna<\/a> is a 22-year-old right-hander and hometown kid who was the Royals’ second-round pick in 2021 out of Blue Valley Southwest High School in Overland Park, Kansas.<\/p>\n He posted a 4.21 ERA across 20 appearances at Double-A Northwest Arkansas in 2025 and finished strong with a 1.71 ERA over his final six starts, which helped him earn a spot on the 40-man roster in November.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n He did struggle in four Triple-A appearances at the end of the year though, so he likely needs more seasoning at Omaha before he is ready for Kansas City.<\/p>\n Steven Zobac \u2014 RHP (No. 11)<\/p>\n Steven Zobac<\/a> is a 25-year-old right-hander who had a breakout 2024 season with a 3.64 ERA across 126 innings, earning the Paul Splittorff Pitcher of the Year award in the organization.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, a knee injury derailed his 2025 campaign and he struggled to a 7.25 ERA across 14 starts when he was on the mound.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n The Royals still added him to the 40-man roster because they see mid-rotation upside with his 93-95 mph fastball and plus slider, but he needs to prove he is healthy before earning a call-up.<\/p>\n Gavin Cross \u2014 OF (No. 24)<\/p>\n