No Participation Trophies: Royals Minor Leaguers Who Deserve A Promotion

[Eli Nitz]

Image courtesy of IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect - Ramon Ramirez

Many of you, like me, have attended the elementary school promotion ceremony. In May, I attended (on the same night) my niece’s promotion to middle school and my nephew’s promotion to high school. While it is a nice year-end recognition of a student’s ascension to another level, it usually consists of awkward handshakes of congratulations, uncoordinated tromping across the stage, and an occasional flamboyant gesture from the class clown.

Unlike the school promotion, promotions in the minor leagues signify excellence. I’m not saying there aren’t excellent students moving up in grade, but the kid who gets a 2.0 GPA goes to the next grade the same as the kid who pulls a 4.0 GPA. In baseball, a promotion means you have accomplished all you can at your current level, and it’s time for a new challenge. Let’s see who is ready to be promoted and face new challenges.

Augusto Mendieta, RHP - 5’11”/190 - Age 21

Year	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	SO	WHIP
2026 MiLB Stats	4	4	4.39	27	0	1	41.0	51	1.39

The soon-to-be 22-year-old Mendieta started the season at High-A and, after only 3 IP, was promoted to Double-A Northwest Arkansas. The Ciudad Valles, Mexico native has a 28.5% K rate and an acceptable 10.1% walk rate. Mendieta throws strikes and gets ground balls all at an above-average rate.  

Jack Pineda, SS - B/T: L/R - 5’8”/170 - Age 26

Year	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	SB	AVG	OBP	OPS
2026 MiLB Stats	210	34	78	7	25	16	.371	.443	.991

Pineda spent plenty of time getting end-of-game MLB at-bats in spring training. It looks like that experience has paid off as his second trip through Double-A has him on the cusp of a promotion to Triple-A Omaha. Pineda doesn’t walk much, but he does make excellent contact. There could be more power potential as the Baylor product learns to pull the ball more.

Spencer Nivens, OF - B/T: L/R - Age 24

Year	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	SB	AVG	OBP	OPS
2026 MiLB Stats	209	33	56	7	37	11	.268	.363	.818

Another player in his second trip to Double-A has kept his average and walk rate similar to 2025 but has increased his power output. The 2023 Missouri State draftee rarely strikes out and walks at a very good rate. Another player that might unlock more power with a more pull-happy approach.

Kendry Chourio, RHP - 6’0”/160 - Age 18

Year	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	SO	WHIP
2026 MiLB Stats	5	1	2.26	15	15	0	67.2	65	0.90

The 18-year-old fireballing phenom from Maracaibo, Venezuela has already been promoted once on June 15th and is angling for another promotion to Northwest Arkansas. His appearance in the All-Star Futures Game did nothing but add helium to his already rising prospect status. He has been nothing short of dominant this season. Chourio fills the strike zone, and walks are almost non-existent. The Royals #1 prospect and Baseball America’s #32 prospect should have a taste of AA in his future.

David Shields, LHP - 6’2”/210 - Age 19

Year	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	SO	WHIP
2026 MiLB Stats	8	4	3.86	18	18	0	81.2	96	1.10

Shields, the Royals' #3 prospect, has had a tremendous start to 2026. His 29.1% K rate and his ability to fill the strike zone have been on display in Davenport, IA all season. The biggest knock on Shields is his lack of fastball velocity at 92 mph. I believe his ability to locate pitches and feel for pitching far outweighs any marks against his fastball. This man deserves a promotion.

L.P. Langevin, RHP - 6’1”/225 - Age 23

Year	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	SO	WHIP
2026 MiLB Stats	4	2	3.11	27	0	0	37.2	74	1.12

The Quebec City, Canada native throws almost exclusively (82.5%) a sinker. But man, does it work. Langevin is striking out an absurd 46.3% of batters but walking an equally absurd number at 17.5%. Langevin needs to find one more quality pitch to rely on. His slider, cutter, and changeup all grade 101 or better in tjstuff+, but he doesn’t throw any of them more than 8.8% of the time.  

Ramon Ramirez, C - B/T: R/R - 5’11”/180 - Age 21

Year	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	SB	AVG	OBP	OPS
2026 MiLB Stats	284	59	84	11	72	8	.296	.379	.879

The Royals #7 prospect and current Midwest League RBI leader with 72 RBI in 75 games played has been on a heater all season long. Ramirez is hitting .296, walks a reasonable amount at 10.6%, and has decent power with 23 doubles, 1 triple, and 11 home runs in 329 at-bats. The Porlamar, Venezuela native has a strong arm and continues to work on his receiving and blocking as he converted from the outfield just four years ago. Ramirez has the look of a middle-of-the-order run producer and projects to have 20+ home run power.

Ryan McDonagh, RHP - 6’5”/190, Age 20

 

Next is another Canadian with really strong metrics. The 20-year-old McDonagh is having a great 2026 season. He has already been promoted once from the Surprise complex league to Columbia on June 16th. The reliever throws a lot of strikes and continues to get a lot of swing and miss.  Tjstuff+ doesn’t rank, but one of his pitches is average or above (changeup 101), and the four-pitch mix of 4-seam fastball, changeup, sinker, and curveball continues to get the job done. The big right-hander relies on his slow (76 mph) curveball 43.9% of the time.  

 

The Royals recently welcomed 21 new members to the team. Those new signees reported to the Surprise complex today. In short order, some of the more advanced players will be assigned to the Columbia Fireflies and possibly even the Quad Cities River Bandits. Some promotions will be needed to facilitate room at the lower levels.  

In school, you can pass with an A+ or barely scrape by with a D for degrees. Baseball is much less forgiving. Only one team celebrates a championship at season's end. When the Royals have had an A+ farm system, they won it all. The days of D and F farm systems are in the rearview mirror. Brian Bridges has a plan, and after his third draft, I believe the Royals are on the path to achieving that A+.

Don’t see your favorite minor leaguer on this promotions list or have a question about a particular player? Leave a comment, and we can take a look at the likelihood of their promotion.

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[Steve]

I was surprised to see Luke Peizer omitted from your list. Thoughts?

[Acpbulldogs]

What’s the plan for Blake Mitchell?

[Brock Beauchamp]

1 hour ago, Acpbulldogs said:

What’s the plan for Blake Mitchell?

Welcome to Royals Keep! I'll leave the answer to this question to the author, @Eli Nitz.

[Brock Beauchamp]

3 hours ago, Steve said:

I was surprised to see Luke Peizer omitted from your list. Thoughts?

Welcome!

[Eli Nitz]

3 hours ago, Steve said:

I was surprised to see Luke Peizer omitted from your list. Thoughts?

I really like Luke Pelzer. I would like to see his tjstats Zswing% come up some showing he is attacking the balls in the strike zone with regularity. He strikes out and walks at an acceptable 21.4% and 10.2% respectively. I won't be shocked if he is also promoted or if they hold him for the full season at High-A Quad Cities

[Eli Nitz]

I am glad you asked!  I intend to dive into Blake Mitchell.  The true three outcome catcher is an interesting case study.  I want to look at his recent success - since July 1 his numbers are really good. Mitchell has raised his batting averave from .210 to .238, and his slugging % from .834 to .910. Is this just a hot streak or is he starting to figure some things out?  Do the Royals want to promote him and have him potentially get exposed at Double-A if it is smoke and mirrors?  His trade stock took a little hit when he fell out of the Baseball America top 100 prospects.  I wonder if he will stay put for 2026 to preserve his off season trade value.  

[Eli Nitz]

2 hours ago, Acpbulldogs said:

What’s the plan for Blake Mitchell?

I am glad you asked!  I intend to dive into Blake Mitchell.  The true three outcome catcher is an interesting case study.  I want to look at his recent success - since July 1 his numbers are really good. Mitchell has raised his batting averave from .210 to .238, and his slugging % from .834 to .910. Is this just a hot streak or is he starting to figure some things out?  Do the Royals want to promote him and have him potentially get exposed at Double-A if it is smoke and mirrors?  His trade stock took a little hit when he fell out of the Baseball America top 100 prospects.  I wonder if he will stay put for 2026 to preserve his off season trade value.