Baseball America tosses in Kansas City Royals pitching prospect Kendry Chourio as a candidate for the next overall top pitching prospect.<\/p>\n
Under the sweltering heat in Goodyear, Chourio proved to be every bit as advertised. And so far in the backfields and in spring training this year, it\u2019s been more of the same, suggesting a ceiling for the 18-year-old righthander, even if his timeline is a little longer than more experienced prospects.<\/p>\n
Still, there is a lot of development that needs to happen. Chourio\u2019s fastball sat 96-98 in Spring Breakout, and he used his curveball as his secondary pitch. What stood out is that, despite the speed of the curve and its usage (57%), he got no whiffs on the pitch. In addition, he didn\u2019t throw his changeup once in Friday\u2019s game, so he needs to hone in on a lockdown third pitch to really be considered as a top pitching prospect.<\/p>\n
MLB.com\u2019s Anne Rogers predicts the Opening Day lineup<\/a> in a preview of the Royals-Braves tilt this Friday.<\/p>\n The top four or five is what we\u2019ll see the majority of this season, but facing Sale is a tough first assignment. Pasquantino will play regardless, but we might see other lefties swapped out for matchup reasons. Between Carter Jensen, Jac Caglianone and Kyle Isbel, there will likely have to be one lefty in the lineup, so we opted to keep Jensen in there at DH, while putting righties Starling Marte in right field and Lane Thomas in center field. It\u2019s not that right fielder Caglianone won\u2019t play against left-handers \u2026 it\u2019s just that Sale is an especially tough lefty to face. The Royals still could put Caglianone in right field, though, while having Marte DH and Jensen on the bench for Opening Day.<\/p>\n Maikel Garcia, 3B MLB.com writers also took their preseason ballots<\/a> and voted Bobby Witt Jr. as the 2026 AL MVP.<\/p>\n An all-around star, Witt missed out on the 2024 AL MVP Award because of an incredible year at the plate from Aaron Judge. The Kansas City shortstop finished fourth in MVP balloting in 2025, behind only Judge, Cal Raleigh and Jos\u00e9 Ram\u00edrez. This year, our voters project it will be Witt\u2019s turn to take home the hardware \u2014 but they think it will be close.<\/p>\n Witt, who had a .295\/.351\/.501 slash line with 23 homers and 38 steals in 2025, was picked to beat out Judge \u2014 by only one vote! \u2014 to win AL MVP. MLB\u2019s best defender by Outs Above Average last season, Witt certainly has the talent to do it, but he\u2019ll have to put up a campaign comparable to his outstanding \u201924 and hope Judge doesn\u2019t eclipse him once again.<\/p>\n Others receiving votes: Judge, Julio Rodr\u00edguez, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Roman Anthony, Nick Kurtz, Ram\u00edrez, Gunnar Henderson<\/p>\n Get a closer look at catcher Salvador Perez\u2019s newest ink<\/a> after the World Baseball Classic.<\/p>\n The 9-9-9 Challenge is coming to Kauffman Stadium<\/a> (at least a branded one now).<\/p>\n Kansas City Sports Network\u2019s Joel Penfield chatted with Royals general manager J.J. Picollo ahead of Opening Day. You can watch the full interview here<\/a>.<\/p>\n FanGraphs\u2019 Dan Szymborski predicts bust seasons for not just one, but two Royals pitchers<\/a>.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Royals Keep\u2019s Kevin O\u2019Brien has his bold Royals predictions in for 2026.<\/a><\/p>\n How are the Royals changing the 50\/50 raffle this season?<\/a><\/p>\n Bleacher Report pitches Kansas City trading <\/a>Kris Bubic and prospects to the New York Yankees for Jasson Dom\u00ednguez.<\/p>\n Yardbarker has their Royals predictions for the 2026 season<\/a>.<\/p>\n FanSided ranks the Royals as the 15th-most watchable team in 2026.<\/a><\/p>\n A check in on the sports card market and Salvador Perez.<\/a><\/p>\n The Chicago Cubs extended Pete Crow-Armstrong on a six-year, $115 million deal<\/a>.<\/p>\n Detroit Tigers top prospect Kevin McGonigle broke camp with the big-league squad<\/a> and will start on Opening Day.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cristopher S\u00e1nchez is guaranteed $104 million in his new deal<\/a>, announced over the weekend.<\/p>\n The ABS challenge system will still not silence MLB managers this coming season.<\/a><\/p>\n Golf legend Tiger Woods will make his first appearance in the TGL final.<\/a><\/p>\n More formal complaints emerge about World Cup ticket prices and FIFA\u2019s role.<\/a><\/p>\n NFL veteran Joe Flacco is back at it, returning to the Cincinnati Bengals<\/a>.<\/p>\n What is NBA doing about tanking in the league?<\/a><\/p>\n Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David announces retirement after 14 seasons<\/a>.<\/p>\n A group of investors from India and the United States is buying the current\u00a0Indian Premier League cricket champion<\/a> Royal Challengers Bengaluru, valuing the team at nearly $1.8 billion<\/a>.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n It is business as usual for Rick Pitino, leading St. John\u2019s to its first Sweet 16 berth this century<\/a>.<\/p>\n How did humans come to the Americas nearly 15,000 years ago?<\/a><\/p>\n
Bobby Witt Jr., SS
Vinnie Pasquantino, 1B
Salvador Perez, C
Isaac Collins, LF
Jonathan India, 2B
Carter Jensen, DH
Starling Marte, RF
Lane Thomas, CF<\/p>\n