Four Pitching Prospects (And One Hitter) Who Can Contribute To Royals In 2026

[Andres Chavez]

Image courtesy of © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Kansas City Royals rarely shop in the same free-agent aisles as the sport’s biggest spenders. Their blueprint has always leaned more farm-to-table than fine dining, and when the big-league roster takes a step forward, it’s usually because someone arrived from Omaha or Northwest Arkansas rather than via a nine-figure contract.

With that in mind, the 2026 Royals won’t be shaped solely by offseason headlines. They’ll be influenced by a group of prospects who are close enough to matter and talented enough to force decisions. Carter Jensen is the obvious name and doesn’t need repeating here. Instead, this group of prospects features four arms and one athletic outfielder who could all play real roles next season.

Carson Roccaforte Brings Energy To The Outfield

If the Royals are looking for a spark plug type, Carson Roccaforte fits the mold. Ranked 20th in the system by MLB Pipeline, the 23-year-old outfielder put together a breakout 2025, slashing .258/.373/.470 with 18 home runs and 43 stolen bases across High-A and Double-A.

There are swing-and-miss concerns, as shown by his 29.4 strikeout rate, but the production outweighs the blemishes. A 138 wRC+ across two levels, including a 141 wRC+ in 212 Double-A plate appearances, paints the picture of a hitter who can impact games in multiple ways. Add in strong defense in center field, and Roccaforte starts to look like the kind of player who forces his way into the conversation sooner than expected.

He’s not a finished product, but the power-speed combination, patience at the plate, and defensive value give him multiple paths to usefulness. Strikeouts will come, but so will damage.

Ben Kudrna’s Future May Hinge On Role

Ben Kudrna’s stat line from 2025 doesn’t jump off the page. A 5.30 ERA over 105 1/3 innings between Double-A and Triple-A isn’t exactly a calling card. Still, the Royals valued him enough to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft by adding him to the 40-man roster, which says more than the ERA ever could.

The 22-year-old left-hander doesn’t overpower hitters, but he understands sequencing and pitch usage. In Double-A Arkansas, he logged a 4.21 ERA across 20 appearances, 19 of them starts, backed by a more encouraging 3.53 FIP. Triple-A was a different story, as he was hit hard in limited action, suggesting his development curve still has some bends.

A bullpen transition could simplify things and allow his stuff to play up, but even if the Royals keep him stretched out, 2026 feels like a realistic window for him to contribute.

Luinder Avila’s Arm Does The Talking

Luinder Avila is the only name here with major league innings already logged. His brief 2025 MLB stint totaled 14 innings, and while small samples can mislead, a 1.29 ERA tends to grab attention regardless of context.

The Royals’ 14th-ranked prospect spent most of last year in Triple-A, working as a swingman and posting a 5.23 ERA over 53 1/3 innings while striking out 61. It wasn’t a flawless performance, but the raw materials are hard to ignore. His fastball climbs into the high 90s, and the organization has been openly excited about how his stuff translates against big-league hitters.

Whether Avila settles into the rotation or becomes a high-leverage reliever is still up in the air. Spring training in 2026 should offer clarity, but either way, his right arm looks ready to factor into the Royals’ plans.

Steven Zobac Wins With Precision

Steven Zobac doesn’t scream upside in the traditional sense, but his profile makes a lot of sense for a team that values command and reliability. The 25-year-old right-hander was protected from the Rule 5 Draft alongside Kudrna, a notable move given his age and injury-shortened season.

Zobac made just 14 starts in 2025, three in the Complex League and 11 in Double-A, where he posted a 7.68 ERA in 36 1/3 innings. Those numbers are rough, but the Royals are betting on the underlying traits rather than the surface results. His walk rates have historically been low, and his pitchability gives him a higher floor than most.

His four-seamer typically sits in the low 90s but can reach 96 or 97 on a good day. A mid-80s slider serves as his primary secondary pitch, complemented by a usable changeup. He’s not flashy, but pitchers like Zobac often stick around longer than expected.

Hunter Owen’s Size & Versatility Stand Out

Hunter Owen looks the part the moment he steps on the mound. At 6-foot-6 and 260 pounds, the left-hander brings a physical presence that hitters can’t ignore. Ranked 27th in the system according to MLB Pipeline, Owen represented the Royals in the 2025 Arizona Fall League and continues to trend upward.

His arsenal is deep, featuring a low-90s fastball with carry, a hard slider-cutter hybrid, a slow curveball around 75 mph, and a mid-80s changeup. It’s a mix that keeps hitters guessing and allows him to adjust mid-game.

Owen delivered a solid 2025 in Double-A, finishing with a 3.80 ERA and 107 strikeouts over 94 2/3 innings. Kansas City has every reason to keep him in the rotation mix for now, and if all goes well, his debut could come sometime in the middle or late stages of the 2026 season.

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[Kevin O'Brien]

I like Zobac as a bounceback for the Royals this year. He hurt his knee early in the year and don't think he ever really recovered from that. Now that he's fully healthy, I think he could surprise and be a factor in the rotation or bullpen at some point in 2026.