Chourio and Mitchell Name to All-Star Futures Game Rosters

[Kevin O'Brien]

Image courtesy of Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

 

On Wednesday morning, MLB announced the rosters for the 2026 All-Star Futures Game. Two Royals players were named to the rosters: pitcher Kendry Chourio and catcher Blake Mitchell.

Chourio and Mitchell are the No. 1 and No. 4 ranked prospects in the Royals system at Royals Keep.

Chourio started the season in Columbia and absolutely dominated as an 18-year-old. In 11 starts and 48 IP, he posted a 1.88 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, a 23.4% K%, and 18.6% K-BB%. He was by far the best starting pitcher not just on the Fireflies roster, but arguably the Carolina League. 

 

 

The strong start with the Fireflies helped him earn a promotion to High-A Quad Cities. 

Chourio has only two starts with the River Bandits so far. In 10.2 IP, the Venezuelan-born pitcher has a 5.06 ERA, but his WHIP (1.03) and FIP (3.63) are much better marks. Chourio has improved his swing-and-miss in Quad Cities, as he has a 31.1% K% and 26.7% K-BB% with the River Bandits. His 32.5% CSW in High-A is much better than the 25.9% CSW in Low-A this season.

 

 

Joining Chourio will be Mitchell, who is currently a teammate of Chourio in Quad Cities.

The 2023 8th overall pick has recovered well this year after struggling through a hamate bone injury a season ago in Quad Cities.

 

 

In 68 games and 298 plate appearances, Mitchell is hitting .210 with an .834 OPS and 123 wRC+. He also has 13 home runs, 16 stolen bases, and a BB/K ratio of 0.70.

While he doesn't hit for high average, the former prep prospect has an exceptional eye at the plate, as evidenced by his 24.5% BB%. He also sports excellent power for a catcher. That is evident in not just the home runs, but his .215 ISO, which is 113 points higher than his mark a season ago.

 

 

The 21-year-old catcher has also received high remarks for his defense and game-calling. He has thrown out 13 runners this year on 70 attempts and threw out 18 runners last year on 58 attempts. Mitchell has been the preferred catcher behind the plate in Quad Cities, even though fellow catching prospect Ramon Ramirez is also on the roster. Ramirez is our No. 6 Royals prospect at Royals Keep.

 

 

With his latest honor and the draft coming up during the All-Star week, it seems likely that the Royals will promote Mitchell to Northwest Arkansas after the All-Star Break.

The Futures Game will be at Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia on Sunday, July 12th at noon. It will be broadcast on NBC/Peacock. 

 

 

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