{"id":513611,"date":"2026-01-10T18:11:18","date_gmt":"2026-01-10T18:11:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/513611\/"},"modified":"2026-01-10T18:11:18","modified_gmt":"2026-01-10T18:11:18","slug":"kansas-city-royals-top-50-prospects-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/513611\/","title":{"rendered":"Kansas City Royals Top 50 Prospects (2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\nTop 50 graphic design by Michael Packard, @CollectingPack<\/a> on Twitter<\/p>\n

Kansas City Royals<\/p>\n

AL Central
2025 record: 82-80 (3nd)<\/p>\n

MiLB affiliates
Triple-A: Omaha Storm Chasers
Double-A: Northwest Arkansas Naturals
High-A: Quad Cities River Bandits
Single-A: Columbia Fireflies<\/p>\n

2025 End-Of-Season farm system rank: #26
Jeremy Mahy\u2019s organization take from our 2025 End-Of-Season Farm System Rankings<\/a>:
The graduation of JacCaglianone and NoahCameron delt a blow to the top of this system. CarterJensen had a nice debut at the end of the season and looks to be the heir apparent at the catching position. If KendryChourio continues his breakout and BlakeMitchell can bounce back after an injury filled 2025, the top of this system could look stronger this time next year.<\/p>\n

Prospects1500 writers who contributed to this column and rankings: Greg Bracken (@gregbracken07<\/a>), Shaun Kernahan (@ShaunKernahan<\/a>), Scott Greene (@Scotty_Ballgame<\/a>), J.W. Mulpas (@CLEBoxscoreBeat<\/a>)and Jeremy Mahy (@JMahyfam<\/a>). The writer\u2019s Twitter handle follows each player write-up or paragraph.<\/p>\n

Prospects1500 Tiers:
Tier 1: Players with high expectations of both making the majors and playing at an All-Star level for a number of years
Tier 2: Players with an above-average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 3: Players with an average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 4: Players who have the potential to make the majors; possible sleeper candidates for sustained MLB success
Tier 5: Players of interest, worth keeping an eye on, who may make (or have made) the majors but provide minimal impact<\/p>\n

Levels listed for each player are the highest levels player reached in 2025<\/p>\n

Tier 1<\/p>\n

None<\/p>\n

Tier 2<\/p>\n

1. Carter Jensen<\/a>, C, 22, MLB
It is hard to imagine a better big league debut for Jensen. Albeit a small sample, the surface stats were impressive. He posted a slash of .300\/.391\/.500 with 3 home runs, 13 RBI and 12 runs scored in 60 AB. More encouraging is that the underlying metrics supported those stats. That pace is not sustainable, but even with some \u201cregression\u201d back to his Triple-A numbers still make for a solid full-time catcher with upside for more. Think 15\u201320 home runs, a .250-.260 average, and an OBP that runs 80-100 points higher. (@JMahyfam)<\/p>\n

Tier 3<\/p>\n

2. Blake Mitchell<\/a>, C, 21, High-A
3. Kendry Chourio<\/a>, RHP, 18, Single-A
4. Josh Hammond<\/a>, SS, 19, High school
5. Sean Gamble<\/a>, OF, 19, High school
6. David Shields<\/a>, LHP, 19, Single-A
7. Luinder Avila<\/a>, RHP, 24, MLB<\/p>\n

Chourio, at 17 years old, impressed in the Dominican Summer League, Arizona Complex League, and got in six games for Single-A Columbia. Starting all but one game, he fanned 63 in 51.1 IP (good for 11 K\/9) and posted a very solid 0.96 WHIP. 95 with good life and a potential plus slider was the calling card to start last summer, but the bat was too good to ignore with Hammond, leading him to being drafted as a position player where that arm plays well from the left side. Positional questions loom large with Gamble, but his pure athleticism could translate well to the outfield and there aren\u2019t many questions when it comes to the bat. Kansas City\u2019s 2024 2nd round pick, Shields, debuted in 2025, and after one start in the ACL, he went on to start 18 games at Single-A and notched a stellar 2.01 ERA. Look for him to begin 2026 in High-A. The 23-year-old Avila made his MLB debut last season as a reliever. Look for him to compete for a spot in Spring Training, but he could open the year in the Omaha starting rotation. (@Scotty_Ballgame)<\/p>\n

Tier 4<\/p>\n

8. Yandel Ricardo<\/a>, SS, 19, Single-A
9. Ramon Ramirez<\/a>, C, 20, Single-A
10. Ben Kudrna<\/a>, RHP, 22, Triple-A
11. Asbel Gonzalez<\/a>, OF, 20, Single-A
12. Drew Beam<\/a>, RHP, 22, High-A
13. Carson Roccaforte<\/a>, OF, 23, Double-A
14. Steven Zobac<\/a>, RHP, 25, Double-A
15. Felix Arronde<\/a>, RHP, 22, High-A
16. Michael Lombardi<\/a>, RHP, 22, College
17. Warren Calca\u00f1o<\/a>, SS, 18, Rookie (DSL)<\/p>\n

Ricardo hit .342 in the Arizona Complex League before struggling at Low-A with a .547 OPS and 60.7% ground ball rate. He has elite speed, but will need to develop more power as he progresses. Ramirez has impressive power potential and a mature bat for his age, but with top catching prospects ahead of him, he may be a trade candidate or shift to first base. Kudrna and Zobac both landed on the Royals\u2019 40-man despite uneven 2025 campaigns. Kudrna had a solid Double-A showing before a late-season stumble at Triple-A skewed his numbers, while Zobac, coming off a knee injury and a rough ERA in limited Double-A action, remains a sleeper candidate. Gonzalez finished fourth in all of MiLB with 78 steals. He also had a .365 OBP, and while he has little power now (1 HR and .051 ISO), his 6\u20192\u2033 frame offers hope for more development. Beam logged a system-high 131.2 innings in his first pro ball season, showing excellent command, a groundball-heavy approach, and a solid pitch mix that makes him a high-floor, back-end starter prospect. Roccaforte, the Royals Minor League Defensive Player of the Year, rebounded in 2025 with an .842 OPS, 18 homers, and 43 steals across High-A and Double-A, but his strong .373 OBP comes with a lofty 29.4% strikeout rate. Arronde tossed 128.2 innings with a 2.80 ERA and 1.08 WHIP, leaning on solid control and a knack for limiting home runs, only 9 allowed all season, though his strikeout and walk rates dipped from 2024. (@CLEBoxscoreBeat)<\/p>\n

Tier 5<\/p>\n

18. Austin Charles<\/a>, 3B\/SS, 22, High-A
19. Ramcell Medina<\/a>, SS, 18, Rookie (DSL)
20. Blake Wolters<\/a>, RHP, 21, Single-A
21. Gavin Cross<\/a>, OF, 24, Double-A
22. Mason Black<\/a>, RHP, 26, MLB
23. Justin Lamkin<\/a>, LHP, 21, College
24. Frank Mozzicato<\/a>, LHP, 22, Double-A
25. Hiro Wyatt<\/a>, RHP, 21, Single-A
26. Daniel Vazquez<\/a>, SS, 22, Double-A
27. Cameron Millar<\/a>, 18, High school
28. Javi Vaz<\/a>, 2B\/OF, 25, Double-A
29. Jhonayker Ugarte<\/a>, SS\/3B, 18, Rookie (ACL)
30. Shane Panzini<\/a>, RHP, 24, Triple-A
31. Hunter Owen<\/a>, LHP, 23, Double-A
32. Henry Williams<\/a>, RHP, 24, Triple-A
33. Spencer Nivens<\/a>, OF, 24, Double-A
34. Jose Cerice<\/a>, 3B\/1B, 20, Single-A
35. Nolan Sailors<\/a>, OF, 22, Single-A
36. Hunter Patteson<\/a>, LHP, 25, Double-A
37. Grayson Boles<\/a>, RHP, 19, High school
38. Josh Hansell<\/a>, RHP, 23, High-A
39. Moises March\u00e1n<\/a>, C, 18, Rookie (DSL)
40. Dennis Colleran<\/a>, RHP, 22, Double-A
41. Derlin Figueroa<\/a>, 3B\/1B, 22, High-A
42. L.P. Langevin<\/a>, RHP, 22, High-A
43. Erick Torres<\/a>, OF, 21, High-A
44. Brooks Bryan<\/a>, OF, 21, College
45. A.J. Causey<\/a>, RHP, 23, Double-A
46. Luis Steven King<\/a>, SS\/3B, 19, Rookie (DSL)
47. Mason Miller<\/a>, LHP, 23, High-A
48. Daniel Lopez<\/a>, OF, 20, Rookie (ACL)
49. Freddy Contreras<\/a>, RHP, 17, Rookie (DSL)
50. Kyle DeGroat<\/a>, RHP, 19, Single-A<\/p>\n

The speed\/power blend of Charles is very enticing but if the hit tool doesn\u2019t improve, he might never make it out of the minors. Medina and King both made strong debuts in the DSL with more walks than strike outs, a great sign for a young player. 2025 was a definite step back for Cross, struggling to control the zone (26% K-rate, 7.6% BB-rate) and showing some significant platoon splits. Panzini could be a factor in the Royals rotation as soon as 2026, looking like a #4 with upside for more. Cerice had a strong 2025 showing off the potential for an elite level defender at the hot corner and developing power, however an anemic walk rate (2.6%) could be troublesome. Sailors carried over his strong senior season at Creighton into his professional debut showing off his strong plate discipline and speed on the basepaths. Causey uses a near side-arm delivery to cause serious deception and was tough on High-A and Double-A hitters last season. Miller absolutely carved up A-ball hitters last season and will be one to keep an eye on as he will likely face a higher level of hitters in Double-A this year. (@JMahyfam)<\/p>\n

Author<\/p>\n

Related Posts<\/p>\n

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Prospects1500 is your comprehensive dynasty league resource, featuring deep MLB\/MiLB top prospect lists, news and rankings.<\/p>\n

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President of Prospects1500. Founder of Diamond Duos dynasty fantasy baseball leagues and the MLB Fantasy Playoffs Parlay. Participant and champion in several dynasty\/fantasy baseball and football leagues. Sales Manager for Reminder Publishing by day. Huge Bruce Springsteen and pro wrestling fan. Along with his wife and two boys, lives in Longmeadow, MA. Follow on Twitter at @Scotty_Ballgame<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Jeremy covers the St Louis organization and contributes on Prospects of the Week for Prospects1500. Born and raised in the Midwest, he is a lifelong fan of the Birds on the Bat. You can follow him on Twitter @JMahyfam<\/a> for more baseball content.<\/p>\n

“Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too.” -Yogi Berra<\/p>\n

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Greg covers the Toronto Blue Jays organization for Prospects1500. Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, a long-suffering fan of both the Blue Jays and the Toronto Maple Leafs. For more than 15 years now a participant\/commish in many dynasty baseball leagues, all with extremely deep minor league rosters. Follow on X @gregbracken07.<\/p>\n

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J.W. resides in Northeast Ohio and is a lifelong Cleveland sports fan. His favorite baseball player of all-time is 2018 Hall of Fame inductee, Jim Thome. He enjoys playing Fantasy Baseball, especially dynasty leagues. He has been a contributor to Prospects1500 since January 2025. You can follow J.W. on X at @CLEBoxscoreBeat.<\/p>\n

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Shaun Kernahan is the MLB Draft correspondent for Prospects1500. When not at a game, chances are the TV and\/or tablet has a game on and he has a notepad out taking notes. When not scouting draft prospects, he is the Director of Baseball Operations for the Mile High Collegiate Baseball League, a collegiate wood bat league in Colorado. Shaun can be found on Twitter at @ShaunKernahan<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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