Kansas City Royals
AL Central
2024 record: 86-76 (tied for 2nd)
MiLB affiliates
Triple-A: Omaha Storm Chasers
Double-A: Northwest Arkansas Naturals
High-A: Quad Cities River Bandits
Single-A: Columbia Fireflies
Notable prospects graduated in 2024
2B/3B/1B Nick Loftin
Prospects1500 writers who contributed to this column and rankings: Tony Bps (@tonybps1), Greg Bracken (@gregbracken07), Adam Greene (@aj_greene1015), Scott Greene (@Scotty_Ballgame), Adam Halpin (@adamhalpin)Shaun Kernahan (@ShaunKernahan), and Jeremy Mahy (@JMahyfam). The writer’s Twitter handle follows each player write-up or paragraph.
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
Levels listed for each player are the highest levels player reached in 2024
Tier 1
1. Jac Caglianone, 1B/LHP, 21, High-A
While he is still technically considered a two-way prospect, the chances of Caglianone getting a real opportunity as a pitcher are pretty slim. He made some improvements in 2024 and the stuff is legit, but he still lacks any real command of his pitches and the bat is too good to wait and see if the command will ever come around. He has a plus arm, but not enough speed to make it work in the outfield so his defensive future is at first, although that doesn’t diminish his prospect status. He has an above-average to better hit tool, even with some real swing-and-miss to the approach, and near top of the scale power. One could easily make the case for him to have the most power upside of anyone in the minors, and he showed as much with five home runs in just 21 games in the Arizona Fall League. (@ShaunKernahan)
Tier 2
2. Blake Mitchell, C, 20, High-A
The 2025 season served as a crucial developmental step for the 20-year-old catcher. He hit well in 106 games in Single-A, posting a .816 OPS, 141 wRC+ with 18 homers. He struggled in a late season promotion to High-A and the strikeout numbers were high (30.7%), but that’s far from uncommon with someone with his profile. Mitchell can also gun down stolen base attempts, catching 19 runners stealing in 2024. (@aj_greene1015)
Tier 3
3. Carter Jensen, C, 21, Double-A
2024 was a significant step forward for Jensen. Across High/Double-A he slashed .259/.359/.450 with 18 home runs, 67 RBI and stole 17 bases. The power gains were the most notable as he added 100 points to his slugging percentage. The Texas League, where he played his Double-A ball, is a hitter’s league but if the power gains hold, he gets very interesting for me. I don’t see him stealing 15+ bases in the big leagues but if you get ten out of your catcher spot that is a nice bonus. Sal Perez is a stud, but you have to think his innings behind the plate start decreasing soon. That leaves a nice opportunity in Kansas City. (@JMahyfam)
4. Ben Kudrna, RHP, 21, Double-A
Kudrna showed good development last season across High-A and Double-A. The 21-year-old second round pick from 2021 posted a solid 3.49 ERA in 14 starts for Quad Cities. The competition challenged him in Northwest Arkansas, as his ERA rose to 5.32 in 9 games (8 starts), but this is the level you want to find success. His WHIP was manageable at High-A, but he needs to reel it in and display more control at Double-A. He was honored with a selection to the Futures Game and pitched one third of an inning. Expect Kudrna to spend a good portion of 2025 with the Naturals. (@Scotty_Ballgame)
5. Gavin Cross, OF, 23, Double-A
Cross was able to put up a 115 wRC+ with 15 HRs in 101 games at Double-A, that with a .633 OPS in April and two IL stints last summer. Despite the chronic back issues he’s endured, Cross increased his LD% 10 points from 2023, and managed steal 30 bases. It was an uneven year, but even the numbers under the hood indicate improvement. With likely a full 2025 season in AAA, Cross will look to stay healthy, continue to develop his approach, and show the club that he’s nearly ready to take over in RF. (@adamhalpin)
6. Blake Wolters, RHP, 20, Single-A
Wolters was the Royals second round pick in the 2023 draft as a prep righthander. 2024 was just okay purely based on the numbers, but it was his first taste of professional ball against Single-A hitters. He has a nice fastball-slider combo, running his fastball up to 95-96. He will need to develop a third pitch to reach his ceiling of a mid-rotation starter. Be patient with the development process, the stuff is there. (@JMahyfam)
Tier 4
7. Javier Vaz, 2B, 24, Double-A
8. Ramon Ramirez, C, 19, Rookie (ACL)
9. Noah Cameron, LHP, 25, Triple-A
10. Austin Charles, SS/3B, 21, Single-A
11. David Shields, LHP, 18, High School
12. Frank Mozzicato, LHP, 21, High-A
13. Yandel Ricardo, SS, 18, Rookie (DSL)
14. Asbel Gonzalez, OF, 19, Double-A
15. Steven Zobac, RHP, 24, Double-A
Vaz has the makings and defensive versatility to be a utility player in the majors. Ramirez has a good amount of power and potential to develop his hit-tool to become a good offensive-minded catcher. Cameron looked much better in 2024 after a rough 2023 and could be a back-end rotation starter as soon as this season. Charles has a nice blend of speed and power and potential to develop into a solid ballplayer. Shields looks to be a good starter in the majors as he gains experience after just being drafted. Mozzicato could be a serviceable starter if his command improves. Gonzalez has good speed and, if he could grow into some power, can be a utility type in the majors. He was promoted to Double-A from Rookie ball as a 19-year-old! (@tonybps1)
Tier 5
16. Luinder Avila, RHP, 23, Triple-A
17. Chandler Champlain, RHP, 25, Triple-A
18. Drew Beam, RHP, 21, College
19. Tyler Gentry, OF, 25, MLB
20. Felix Arronde, RHP, 21, Single-A
21. Hiro Wyatt, RHP, 20, Single-A
22. Jhonayker Ugarte, 3B, 17, Rookie (DSL)
23. Carson Roccaforte, OF, 22, High-A
24. Emmanuel Reyes, RHP, 20, Single-A
25. Callan Moss, 1B, 21, Single-A
26. Peyton Wilson, 2B/OF, 25, Double-A
27. Spencer Nivens, OF, 23, High-A
28. Jordan Woods, LHP, 21, Rookie (ACL)
29. Derlin Figueroa, 1B/3B, 21, Single-A
30. Hyungchan Um, C, 20, Single-A
31. Hunter Owen, LHP, 22, High-A
32. Erick Torres, OF, 20, Single-A
33. Daniel Vazquez, SS, 21, Single-A
34. Eric Cerantola, RHP, 24, Triple-A
35. John Rave, OF, 27, Triple-A
36. L.P. Langevin, RHP, 21, College
37. Trevor Werner, 1B/3B, 24, High-A
38. Henry Williams, RHP, 23, High-A
39. Luca Tresh, C, 25, Double-A
40. Kyle DeGroat, RHP, 18, High School
41. Christian Chamberlain, LHP, 25, Triple-A
42. Logan Martin, RHP, 23, Single-A
43. Andrew Hoffmann, RHP, 24, Triple-A
44. Cam Devanney, SS, 27, Triple-A
45. Oscar Rayo, LHP, 22, High-A
46. Hunter Patteson, LHP, 24, High-A
47. Dennis Colleran, RHP, 21, College
48. Ryan Ramsey, LHP, 23, High-A
49. Marwys Cabrera, RHP, 18, Rookie (DSL)
50. Roni Cabrera, OF, 19, Rookie (ACL)
Avila’s results haven’t really matched his talent but could take the next step this year. Gentry went hitless in his only 5 at-bats in the majors but could be a bench player for the Royals this season. Ugarte has potential to develop some power to go with his speed and good hit-tool. Roccaforte is more of a defensive player with a little bit of pop. Nivens has solid power but needs to improve his hit-tool to become more than a bench player. Um could be a back-up catcher in the major leagues with a chance to play into a more prominent role. (@tonybps1)
Adam Greene is a student UMass Amherst's Isenberg School of Management. He currently writes for the Cape Cod Baseball League and UMass Athletics. From Longmeadow, MA, Adam is a huge Red Sox fan and has been following the team his whole life and he's spent the last few years covering their farm system. Follow him on Twitter at @aj_greene1015 and Instagram at the same handle.
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.
Tony Bps Spina is a lifelong baseball fan hailing from the City of Brotherly Love - Philadelphia! Tony has loved baseball since 1980 and has followed the Phillies through good and bad times. Tony is married with 3 kids and works for a financial institution but has enough free time to play in 20 fantasy baseball leagues with 75% of them being Dynasty Leagues. He lives a few blocks away from Citizens Bank Park and attends many Phillies games per year in addition to their minor league teams in Lehigh Valley and Reading. He can be reached on Twitter at @TonyBps1.
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.
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 for more baseball content.
"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too." -Yogi Berra
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.
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