{"id":523525,"date":"2026-01-16T14:18:17","date_gmt":"2026-01-16T14:18:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/523525\/"},"modified":"2026-01-16T14:18:17","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T14:18:17","slug":"kansas-city-royals-news-which-royals-are-among-the-top-100-in-baseball","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/523525\/","title":{"rendered":"Kansas City Royals news: Which Royals are among the top 100 in baseball?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"\">Jesse Borek at MLB.com writes about the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlb.com\/royals\/news\/kansas-city-royals-2026-international-signings?t=mlb-pipeline-coverage\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Royals\u2019 international signing period;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Royals\u2019 international signing period<\/a>, led by Angeibel\u00a0Gomez.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">But the star is undoubtedly Gomez. Equipped with SEC football-like physicality, one talent evaluator said watching Gomez hit his top speed is like \u201cwatching a bronco run.\u201d He\u2019s ripped off 60-yard-dash times as fast as 6.2 seconds and plays an excellent center field, with the likelihood of remaining there in the long run.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Known for top-of-the-scale baseball acumen and as a tremendous individual off the field, Gomez also stars on it. He won MVP of the Amateur Scouting League in 2024, routinely delivering hard contact from the right side of the plate. He trained with Alexis Quiroz of AQ Sport Agency, a member of\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlb.com\/trainer-partnership\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:MLB\u2019s Trainer Partnership Program;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">MLB\u2019s Trainer Partnership Program<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">David Lesky looks at how the new ballpark dimensions <a href=\"https:\/\/insidethecrown.substack.com\/p\/royals-pitching-vs-new-kauffman-stadium-dimensions\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:could affect the Royals\u2019 pitching staff;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">could affect the Royals\u2019 pitching staff<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">I think something else interesting about the pitching staff was mentioned in their press conference. The Royals felt that the current pitching staff was positioned to handle this change better than maybe previous ones. It could be because they don\u2019t give up an inordinate number of fly balls. They ranked 17th in baseball in fly ball percentage. But they do sort of pitch to the park. In 2025, 37.2 percent of fly balls or line drives at home were hit to center. In 2024, it was 35 percent. Obviously, that\u2019s not a majority, but remove the stadium caveat and Royals pitchers ranked eighth in fly balls and line drives hit to center field in 2025. With the dimensions not changing in center field, that helps. They also were 11th in average fly ball\/line drive distance. And remember, the dimensions aren\u2019t changing drastically. I found that interesting.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Jaylon Thompson writes about the Royals <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kansascity.com\/sports\/mlb\/kansas-city-royals\/article314337221.html#storylink=cpy\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:ranked on MLB Network\u2019s top 100 list;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">ranked on MLB Network\u2019s top 100 list<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Now, Garcia is officially recognized as being among the best players in the majors. On Wednesday, Garcia was ranked at No. 65 on MLB Network\u2019s top 100 list. He joins two KC teammates \u2014 first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (No. 93) and pitcher Cole Ragans (No. 89) \u2014 in the rankings \u2026 so far.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Kevin O\u2019Brien at Royals Keep wonders if the Royals <a href=\"https:\/\/royalskeep.com\/news-rumors\/kansas-city-royals\/could-the-cubs-matt-shaw-be-a-royals-trade-target-r4042\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:could target Cubs infielder Matt Shaw;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">could target Cubs infielder Matt Shaw<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">The Diamondbacks <a href=\"https:\/\/www.azsnakepit.com\/arizona-diamondbacks-news\/88240\/arizona-diamondbacks-sign-taylor-clarke\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:sign former Royals reliever Taylor Clarke;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">sign former Royals reliever Taylor Clarke<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlbtraderumors.com\/2026\/01\/rays-angels-reds-agree-to-three-team-trade-involving-josh-lowe-gavin-lux.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:The Rays, Angels, and Reds complete a trade;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">The Rays, Angels, and Reds complete a trade<\/a> that sends Josh Lowe to Anaheim and Gavin Lux to Tampa Bay.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/mlb\/story\/_\/id\/47625742\/sources-dodgers-land-prized-free-agent-kyle-tucker\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:The Dodgers sign Kyle Tucker;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">The Dodgers sign Kyle Tucker<\/a> to a four-year, $240 million deal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.purplerow.com\/colorado-rockies-news\/78994\/colorado-rockies-news-roster-free-agent-rockies-sign-willi-castro\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:The Rockies sign utility player Willi Castro;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">The Rockies sign utility player Willi Castro<\/a> to a two-year, $12.8 million deal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlbtraderumors.com\/2026\/01\/mariners-to-acquire-yosver-zulueta.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:The Mariners acquire reliever Yosver Zulueta;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">The Mariners acquire reliever Yosver Zulueta<\/a> from the Reds and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlbtraderumors.com\/2026\/01\/mariners-to-acquire-yosver-zulueta.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:designate former Royals infielder Samad Taylor for assignment;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">designate former Royals infielder Samad Taylor for assignment<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Pitcher Takahiro Norimoto <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlbtraderumors.com\/2026\/01\/takahiro-norimoto-to-stay-in-npb-sign-with-yomiuri-giants.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:turns down an MLB offer to stay in Japan;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">turns down an MLB offer to stay in Japan<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">What does the remaining <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlb.com\/news\/best-free-agent-starting-pitchers-left-on-market-in-2026\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:free agent starting pitching market look like;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">free agent starting pitching market look like<\/a>?<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">The Red Sox may miss out on all the top free agent infielders, <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.fangraphs.com\/how-the-red-sox-could-miss-out-on-all-the-big-free-agent-infielders-and-still-come-out-ahead\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:but they can still make it work.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">but they can still make it work.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Who is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/mlb\/story\/_\/id\/47611000\/mlb-generation-ultimate-ace-clayton-kershaw-justin-verlander-max-scherzer\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:true ace of this generation;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">true ace of this generation<\/a>?<\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/mlb\/breaking-news\/article\/clayton-kershaw-to-play-for-team-usa-in-the-2026-world-baseball-classic-despite-retirement-from-mlb-why-not-163619361.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:Retired pitcher Clayton Kershaw will pitch for Team USA;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Retired pitcher Clayton Kershaw will pitch for Team USA<\/a> in the World Baseball Classic.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">What does the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/mlb\/story\/_\/id\/47609819\/mlb-2026-free-agency-nl-west-dodgers-padres-giants-diamondbacks-rockies\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:National League West race look like?;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">National League West race look like?<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/overslotbaseball.com\/articles\/mlb-draft-data-front-offices\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:MLB will regulate access and usage of technology and data;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">MLB will regulate access and usage of technology and data<\/a> in amateur scouting and amateur player evaluation<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Twenty people are charged in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/nfl\/profootballtalk\/rumor-mill\/news\/twenty-are-charged-in-significant-college-basketball-point-shaving-scheme\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:significant college basketball point-shaving scandal;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">significant college basketball point-shaving scandal<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">A judge denies an injunction requested by <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/ncaa-redshirt-rule-lawsuit-75adad815cd9777e64bcab857ae163fb\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:five college football players to play a fifth year;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">five college football players to play a fifth year<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">How prediction markets are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theringer.com\/2026\/01\/14\/tech\/prediction-markets-betting-explained-meaning-polymarket-kalshi\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:turning life into a gambling dystopia;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">turning life into a gambling dystopia<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">The Defense Department has a device some <a href=\"https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2026\/01\/13\/politics\/havana-syndrome-device-pentagon-hsi?mc_cid=52c030d17d&amp;mc_eid=742537f7f3\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:believe could be causing the mysterious \u201cHavana Syndrome;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">believe could be causing the mysterious \u201cHavana Syndrome<\/a>.\u201c<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Wikipedia\u2019s 25 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.popsci.com\/technology\/most-popular-wikipedia-entries\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:most-popular entries of all time;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">most-popular entries of all time<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">HBO is reportedly in early development on <a href=\"https:\/\/ew.com\/jon-snow-game-of-thrones-sequel-reportedly-revived-hbo-11886345\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:reviving Jon Snow in a Game of Thrones sequel.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">reviving Jon Snow in a Game of Thrones sequel.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Your song of the day is Des Rocs with This is Our Life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Jesse Borek at MLB.com writes about the Royals\u2019 international signing period, led by Angeibel\u00a0Gomez. But the star is&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":523526,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[2387],"tags":[69521,69432,5,8636,1147,230,161,23130,730,1397,936,2123,55,2596,2595,29,716,4,1451,297,89,252,30084,1335,2245,2122,2126,129,26052],"class_list":{"0":"post-523525","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-kansas-city-royals","8":"tag-alexis-quiroz","9":"tag-angeibel-gomez","10":"tag-baseball","11":"tag-center-field","12":"tag-clayton-kershaw","13":"tag-cole-ragans","14":"tag-cubs","15":"tag-fly-balls","16":"tag-gavin-lux","17":"tag-josh-lowe","18":"tag-kansas","19":"tag-kansas-city","20":"tag-kansas-city-royals","21":"tag-kansascity","22":"tag-kansascityroyals","23":"tag-kyle-tucker","24":"tag-matt-shaw","25":"tag-mlb","26":"tag-mlb-network","27":"tag-rays","28":"tag-red-sox","29":"tag-royals","30":"tag-royals-pitchers","31":"tag-samad-taylor","32":"tag-the-diamondbacks","33":"tag-the-royals","34":"tag-vinnie-pasquantino","35":"tag-willi-castro","36":"tag-yosver-zulueta"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@mlb\/115905213498379883","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/523525","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=523525"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/523525\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/523526"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=523525"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=523525"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=523525"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}