Five Minor-League Royals Who Could Lose Their Jobs Post-Draft

[Eli Nitz]

Image courtesy of IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The 2026 Major League Baseball Draft concluded July 12 with the Royals making 21 selections. The most notable is the 6th overall selection, Zion Rose from Louisville. Zion Rose was recently at Kauffman Stadium signing his major league contract. Soon, Rose will make the trip to Arizona to begin his ascent to the major league club. Rose is well on his way, and the front office should be thrilled to see their hard work come to fruition.

But it isn’t all sunshine and rainbows for everyone in the Royals organization. As one door opens, another closes. Major League Baseball limits organizations to 165 domestic minor league players under contract. This limit excludes players participating in the Dominican Summer League (DSL) and players on the team’s 40-man roster. Rose is in, but now someone must go.

The top minor league affiliate is virtually devoid of young talent. The Royals have signed 11 veterans to help round out the roster at Omaha. I believe a number of the players jettisoned to make room for the draft picks will be of the veteran variety, allowing the team more time to evaluate its young talent. That younger talent will make their debuts at the Complex League, Low-A affiliate Columbia, SC, and maybe (Rose perhaps?) at High-A Quad Cities in Davenport, IA. It is only logical that some players will be promoted to provide room for the draft pieces while squeezing out those players at the top of the minor league food chain. Let’s see who could be on the proverbial chopping block.

Kevin Newman: 3B, age 32

Year	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	SB	AVG	OBP	OPS
2026 MiLB Stats	187	18	42	0	10	1	.225	.298	.587

The light-hitting utility infielder has been behind Nick Loftin, Tyler Tolbert, and recently 40-man roster additions of Josh Rojas and Andrew Velazquez.  

Dan Altavilla: RHP, age 33

Year	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	SO	WHIP
2026 MiLB Stats	3	4	6.35	34	0	0	39.2	32	1.87

Altavilla is in his second stint with Kansas City. He appeared in 5 contests in 2024, completing 3.2 IP while giving up 5 hits, 3 walks, and 6 earned runs for an ERA of 14.73. Familiarity brought Altavilla back to KC, and now it’s time to make way for younger prospects.

Anthony Gose: LHP, age 35

Year	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	SO	WHIP
2026 MiLB Stats	1	3	5.56	28	0	0	34.0	42	1.62

The former Detroit Tigers outfielder is a great story, converting to a left-handed relief pitcher. Gose has already been passed up by Jose Cuas and Easton McGee for a spot on the 40-man roster. At 35 years old, it’s time for the Royals to move on to other options.

Connor Kaiser: SS, age 29

Year	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	SB	AVG	OBP	OPS
2026 MiLB Stats	76	12	9	0	4	1	.118	.236	.368

Kaiser has been injured and has not played much in 2026. The Overland Park, KS native was signed off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks as organizational depth in November 2025.

Jorge Alfaro: C, age 33

Year	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	SB	AVG	OBP	OPS
2026 MiLB Stats	130	21	28	10	34	0	.215	.286	.778

The Double-A Northwest Arkansas catcher still shows some power, but there are a couple of High-A catchers knocking on the door that could be promoted soon. Alfaro is easily the oldest player on the Naturals roster.

No one celebrates a player’s tenure coming to an end. Everyone works tirelessly to be the best player they can be. Eventually, the bell tolls for every man. The new crop of 2026 draft picks is about to get their chance to shine as the sun sets on several current members of the Royals' minor leagues.  

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