Kevin O'Brien

Image courtesy of © Lily Smith/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK On Monday, I looked at the 11th through 15th-best prospects in the Kansas City Royals system. The list focused on a couple of international shortstops (including one who made progress in the AFL this past fall), a pitcher who made his MLB debut, a pitcher eligible for the Rule 5 Draft who wasn't added to the 40-man roster, and one who was, but is coming off an injury-plagued 2025 campaign. In part three of Royals Keep's Top 20 Prospect rankings, I will look at the 6th through 10th-best prospects in the Royals system. That includes a couple of recently drafted position players out of high school, a couple of international position players who primarily played in Low-A Columbia in 2025, and a polished pitcher drafted out of Tennessee in 2024 who pitched well in High-A Quad Cities. 10th: Asbel Gonzalez, OF (Highest Level: Low-A) The 19-year-old Venezuelan outfielder played in 115 games in his first full Minor League season in Columbia. After a hot start, he wore down a bit at the end of the year, slashing .239/.365/.289 with a .654 OPS. He also showed little power, with only one home run and an ISO of .051. However, he scored 82 runs and collected 78 RBI with the Fireflies last season. When he was fresh and locked in, Gonzalez demonstrated a high-contact, disciplined approach, as illustrated by his 0.63 BB/K ratio. Furthermore, he showed in Columbia that he could spray the ball all over the field, with his speed allowing him to stretch extra bases on hits. While the bat wasn't anything too special, Gonzalez flashed one elite tool in Low-A ball, which explains why he ranked No. 10: his speed. Gonzalez set a Fireflies franchise record with 78 stolen bases last season. Not only was that the highest in Columbia history, but it was also the highest stolen base total for a Royals prospect since 1988. As a result, Gonzalez was named Willie Wilson Baserunner of the Year by the Royals, which goes to the best baserunner in the Kansas City farm system. He was caught 26 times last season, which is higher than what the Royals would like to see for a prospect with his speed tool. That said, as a teenager, the grind of the Carolina League slate seemed to get to him. In 68 games and 303 plate appearances from Opening Day until June 30th, he hit .270, stole 55 bases, and was caught 16 times, for a 29% caught-stealing rate. From July 1st to the end of the season, he hit .192, stole 23 bases, and was caught 10 times, for a 43% caught-stealing rate. Gonzalez was promoted to Double-A to help them in their stretch run of the season, but his fatigue seemed to be on full display, as he hit .167 in eight plate appearances. At 6'2, 170 pounds, Gonzalez has an athletic frame that could help him hit for more power as he fills out. Even if the power never fully comes, his plate discipline, contact ability, and Major League-ready speed should help him get to the big leagues, as a bench outfielder at the very least. 9th: Drew Beam, RHP (Highest Level: High-A) Beam was a third-round pick out of the University of Tennessee who signed an overslot deal worth $1,097,500 in the 2024 MLB Draft. The right-handed pitcher didn't pitch at all professionally after getting drafted due to the Volunteers' run in the College World Series. However, he indeed thrived in his first taste of professional experience. In 26 games and 131.2 IP with the Quad Cities River Bandits, Beam posted a 3.83 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and K-BB% of 14.9%. The 22-year-old was not a high-strikeout pitcher with the River Bandits. However, he showcased excellent control (5.6% walk rate) and kept the ball in the yard (0.55 HR/9). As a result, he posted a 3.35 FIP, which was much better than his ERA last season. Beam showed a better strikeout ability at the beginning of the season, which was evident in some of his early starts with Quad Cities in April and May. From High-A Opening Day until June 29th, Beam posted a 2.95 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 21.4% K rate, and 16.2% K-BB% in 15 starts. From June 30th to the end of the season? He posted a 5.04 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 19.3% K rate, and 13.2% K-BB%. Much like Gonzalez, Beam seemed to hit a wall in the second half in his first full exposure to professional competition. Despite this, the former Volunteer may be one of the best pitchers in the Royals' lower minors right now. He sports a solid four-pitch mix that includes a four-seamer, curveball, cutter, and changeup. Like many Royals pitchers in the system, he doesn't have an elite pitch. Still, the combination of his diverse repertoire and strong command makes him an effective and efficient pitcher with middle-of-the-rotation upside at the Major League level. Noah Cameron hit a similar wall in 2023 in his first full professional season. Thus, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Beam, much like Cameron in 2024, rebound from that experience, do much better in 2026, and put himself in a position to make the Opening Day rotation in 2027. His profile and approach feel very similar to a right-handed Cameron (but with more fastball upside). 8th: Ramon Ramirez, C (Highest Level: Low-A) Going into the 2025 season, one could argue that Ramirez was every bit as elite a catching prospect as Carter Jensen and Blake Mitchell. After Jensen's sensational season, that comparison has faded a bit today, but that shouldn't diminish the upside the 20-year-old Venezuelan catcher possesses. In 70 games and 307 plate appearances with the Fireflies, Ramirez slashed .244/.339/.442 with a .781 OPS. Unlike Mitchell, who struck out in bunches in Low-A and High-A ball over the past two years, Ramirez only struck out 21.7% of the time and posted a BB/K ratio of 0.55. He also showcased excellent pop in the Carolina League with a 13.9% HR/FB rate. Injuries limited him somewhat, which explains why he had only 307 plate appearances last season with the Fireflies. When healthy, however, he showed a solid approach at the plate and solid skills behind it. Ramirez doesn't have the defensive upside or athleticism of Jensen or Mitchell. However, he has a polished receiving tool that could at least make him a serviceable backup at the Major League level. His arm strength is also above-average and could profile similarly at the Major League level to other Royals catchers from Venezuela like Freddy Fermin and Salvador Perez (though he could stand to improve his 19% caught-stealing rate last year). The key for Ramirez in the future will be his bat, which is mature for his age. In 170 plate appearances in the Complex League in 2024, he posted a 0.62 BB/K ratio and hit 2.65 with seven home runs in 203 plate appearances in Arizona. He hits too many groundballs for a player with his power and batted-ball ability (40% GB rate last year), but he can truly crush balls when he elevates them properly. How Ramirez meshes with the new hitting development team will be interesting to watch, especially as he matriculates to High-A Quad Cities in 2026. 7th: Josh Hammond, 3B (Highest Level: High School) Hammond was the 28th overall pick in the 2025 MLB draft and the Royals' second selection in that particular draft. However, many scouts believed that Hammond was the Royals' top overall selection last season, given his upside and potential. The son of a college coach, Hammond was a two-way player who showed excellent bat speed and batted-ball ability, not just a prep player, but in pre-draft workouts. Here's what MLB Pipeline said about Hammond in their own scouting report, pointing out not just his power, but his mature decision-making at the plate for a teenager. Hammond did get some time in the instructional league and seemed to hold his own, according to reports. While no public stats are shared about his time there, he did showcase his power, as evidenced in this clip below from the Royals Player Development account. There's definitely a maturity in the way he carries himself at the plate, even in that limited sample clip. However, he will be much more challenged in Low-A Columbia, where he likely will play in his first full-season experience. How he handles not just professional pitching, but the grind of "bus league" ball could determine his long-term outlook, as the physical tools are there for Hammond to be successful at the plate and on the field (his arm is a plus tool due to his pitching background). The Royals tend to move more slowly with prospects drafted out of high school, and there's no reason to think that they won't do that with Hammond. However, a strong start in Columbia could make the Royals more aggressive about promoting to High-A later in 2026. 6th: Sean Gamble, OF/2B (Highest Level: High School) Gamble was the Royals' first selection in the 2025 MLB Draft, going 23rd overall, five picks before Hammond. The prep prospect was drafted out of IMG Academy, but he grew up in Iowa with an affinity for the Royals. The 19-year-old doesn't have the raw power or batted-ball upside of Hammond just yet. However, Gamble profiles as a better athlete who not only has blazing speed on the basepaths and gap-to-gap power, but is capable of playing multiple positions in the outfield and infield. Looking at his scouting report on MLB Pipeline, it seems the Royals' scouting department valued Gamble's versatility and his ability to grow into his athletic frame as he progressed in the farm system. It was tough to discern between Gamble and Hammond as to who is the better prospect in the Royals' system (especially since both have no professional experience). Hammond definitely seems to have more polish now, especially offensively, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Hammond come out of the gate better in Low-A Columbia than his fellow draft classmate. However, Gamble has more upside and versatility, with the ability to be an accurate multi-position weapon, which fits what is needed in the modern MLB game. That gives Gamble the edge over Hammond as a prospect, for now. View full article

I always felt he was a Top 20 guy mostly because I think injuries have set him back. However, I was thinking more 18-20 before the AFL. He definitely impressed a lot in the AFL, and I think he could be a Maikel Garcia type who could blossom even more as he gets older. Hopefully, he's not selected in the Rule 5 (which I don't think he will).

Tuesday night was the deadline for teams to add Rule 5 Draft-eligible players to the 40-man roster. According to MLB.com Royals beat writer, the Royals added two pitchers to the 40-man roster by the deadline: Ben Kudrna and Steven Zobac. Kudrna is ranked No. 5 on our Top-20 Prospects list at Royals Keep. The former 2021 second-round pick from Blue Valley Southwest High School in Overland Park, Kansas, primarily pitched in Double-A with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals last season. In 20 outings (19 starts) and 94 IP, he posted a 4.21 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. While those weren't elite, his 24% K rate, 15.7% K-BB%, and 3.53 FIP were much more encouraging marks. The 22-year-old righty struggled in the transition to Triple-A at the end of the season. In four outings (three starts) and 11.1 IP, he posted a 14.29 ERA and 2.74 WHIP. He also saw his K rate plummet to 15.7% and walk rate balloon to 27% (nearly 20% higher than his walk rate in Northwest Arkansas). Unfortunately, his stuff didn't profile well with the Storm Chasers either, which makes one wonder whether he was dealing with fatigue at the end of the season. In addition to a meager 35.5% zone rate and 20.6% chase rate, his overall TJ Stuff+ was below average at 94. On a positive note, he still posted a 29.5% whiff rate, showing his ability to make batters swing and miss was still there in Omaha, despite the poor peripherals. A full offseason and time with the big league coaching staff could help him rebound with the Storm Chasers in 2026, making him a viable option for the rotation at the end of next season or in 2027. As for Zobac, our 15th-ranked prospect, he struggled with injuries last year, which led to a down season despite the preseason hype (as we discussed in his scouting report). The 25-year-old only made 14 starts overall between Northwest Arkansas and the Complex League, with the latter being rehab outings. In that 44.2 IP sample, he posted a 7.25 ERA, 1.79 WHIP, and 13.7% K-BB%. The control and ability to throw strikes remain a plus aspect of Zobac's profile, and he still struck out 21.3% of batters in the Minor Leagues last season. The hope is that Zobac is fully healthy and can recapture the buzz he once had at the conclusion of the 2024 season. He could be a candidate to make the Royals roster at some point in 2026 as a long reliever or spot starter, as long as he can accumulate innings next season and solve his longball issues (2.01 HR/9 allowed in the Minors last season). The Royals roster is currently at 39, and some notable players were left off the 40-man roster, exposing them to the December Rule 5 Draft, which takes place at the conclusion of the MLB Winter Meetings. Here's a list of the most intriguing Rule 5-eligible players who could get drafted in less than a month. Felix Arronde, RHP: 12th-ranked prospect who posted a 2.80 ERA in High-A Quad Cities. Daniel Vazquez, SS: 14th-ranked prospect and had a Solid AFL campaign. Frank Mozzicato, LHP: 2021 First-Round Pick and 20th-ranked prospect. Gavin Cross, OF: 2022 First-Round Pick. Luca Tresh, C: Posted a .794 OPS in Omaha in 2025. Javi Vaz, UT: Athletic utility player who posted a 1.25 BB/K ratio and stole 25 bases in Double-A in 2025. Henry Williams, RHP: Former Padres prospect acquired in the Scott Barlow trade in 2023 Shane Panzini, RHP: 2021 Fourth-Round Pick who posted a 3.39 ERA, 109 IP across High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A levels last season. Photo Credit: © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images View full rumor

Image courtesy of © Denny Medley-Imagn Images On Saturday, we looked at the 16th through 20th-best prospects in the Royals system. That included a couple of post-hype pitching prospects, a recent draft pick and international signing, and an outfielder coming off a solid AFL campaign. In part 2 of Royals Keep's Top-20 Prospects rankings, we will look at the 11th through 15th-best Royals prospects. That includes a pitching prospect limited in 2025 due to injury, a shortstop who also played well in the AFL, an international pitcher who made his MLB debut last year, an international pitcher who needs to be added to the 40-man roster this year, and a talented Cuban shortstop prospect who had a bit of a rough debut in Low-A ball. 15th: Steven Zobac, RHP (Highest Level: Double-A) Zobac came into the 2025 Minor League season with plenty of hype. The former Cal product pitched in Spring Training with the Big League club, and he was coming off a solid 2024 campaign in which he logged 126 innings across High-A and Double-A. In that sample, he posted a 3.64 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 3.03 FIP, and 23.8% K rate. As a result, he was seen as one of the organization's best pitching prospects going into 2025. Unfortunately, things didn't go quite to plan for Zobac in 2025. He got off to a rough start with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, landing on the IL on April 16th with right knee patellar tendonitis. He eventually returned to the mound with the Naturals, but he wasn't the same. In 11 starts and 36.1 IP, he posted a 7.68 ERA, 1.90 WHIP, and 5.68 FIP. On a positive note, he still posted a decent strikeout rate (21.1%) and K-BB% (13.1%). When he was locked in, the 2022 fourth-round pick showed why he was seen as a dark-horse pitching prospect in the Royals system at the conclusion of the 2024 season. Conversely, Zobac struggled with the long ball. He gave up a HR/9 of 1.98 and a HR/FB rate of 16% with the Naurals last season. For context, in 55.1 innings in Double-A in 2024, his HR/9 was 0.65 and his HR/FB rate was 6.8%. The mechanics and control are there for Zobac to be an end-of-the-rotation type at the Major League level. While he doesn't have an elite offering, his three-pitch mix (fastball, slider, changeup) is solid, sporting decent shape and upside. The main issue is command, which regressed heavily in 2025. Perhaps Zobac can put his injury issues behind him, recapture that command, and be the pitching prospect he was back in 2024. 14th: Daniel Vazquez, SS (Highest Level: Double-A) Vazquez was a top international signing in 2021, but the Royals have moved him slowly in the farm system. He's currently 21 years old and eligible for the Rule 5 Draft in December. However, he hasn't advanced beyond High-A ball (he reached Double-A at the end of last season, but it was only a five-game sample). That said, the Dominican-born infielder is trending in the right direction development-wise. In 105 games and 463 plate appearances, Vazquez slashed .260/.336/.349 with a .685 OPS. He only hit one home run, but he scored 55 runs and stole 26 bases, making him a possible leadoff or bottom-of-the-batting-order type at the Major League level. He also showcases Gold Glove-caliber defense that can move around at any position in the infield. In fact, his profile feels very similar to Maikel Garcia's at this age, which is a positive sign for his development. Garcia didn't hit for tremendous power initially, but it developed as he put on weight and received more advanced coaching and development as he moved up the Royals' system. Vazquez showed what he could do this fall in the Arizona Fall League, when put on a bigger stage and playing alongside better prospects in the game. He led the Saguaros in at-bats with 79 and slashed .329/.459/.468 with a .927 OPS. He also hit two home runs, collected 21 RBI, stole 11 bases, and posted 19 walks to 20 strikeouts, a BB/K ratio of 0.95. The 21-year-old infielder was one of the most impressive prospects in Arizona this fall, showing some power not just with home runs, but plenty of hard-hit, high-exit velocity batted balls as well. After a strong campaign with Surprise this fall, the Royals will likely add Vazquez to the 40-man roster this spring. The hope with Vazquez is that he can do damage in Double-A ball in 2026 and perhaps make his MLB debut on Opening Day in 2027. 13th: Luinder Avila, RHP (Highest Level: MLB) Due to a plethora of injuries, the Royals promoted Avila to the Major League despite posting a 5.23 ERA in 53.1 IP. However, as with pitcher Stephen Kolek, Royals fans learned to take pitching stats in Triple-A with a grain of salt. In 13 appearances and 14 innings of work, the Venezuelan righty absolutely thrived out of the Royals' bullpen, primarily in mop-up duty. He posted a 1.29 ERA, a 0.93 WHIP, a 2.14 FIP, and a 28.6% strikeout rate. The 24-year-old showcased stellar command, posting a 17.9% K-BB% and allowing no home runs in his 13 appearances. His strong sample, though small, wasn't just luck either. Avila's stuff and repertoire profiled extremely well, based on TJ Stuff+ metrics. Avila posted an overall TJ Stuff+ of 102, and his curveball was his best offering with a 104 TJ Stuff+ and a 60 grade. His primary offering not only generated a 47.7% whiff rate but also a 32.8% chase rate and an xwOBACON of .336, all promising marks. When located effectively, his curveball could make hitters look absolutely silly, like Robert Hassell III of the Nationals. The reason why Avila isn't ranked higher is that it seems like his ceiling is as a reliever at this time. While he can start, which he did in Omaha (nine starts), his stuff profiles much better in shorter stints. Therefore, it's hard to think of Avila as a Top-10 prospect when he won't hit the century mark inning-wise in a season. That said, the upside with Avila as a reliever is promising. He showed in 2025 that he not only has late-inning, high-leverage potential, but also perhaps closer potential. Carlos Estevez is entrenched as the Royals' closer in 2026. However, if Avila can make progress at the MLB level in 2026, with more outings in high leverage, he could make his case to be the Royals' closer as soon as 2027. 12th: Felix Arronde, RHP (Highest Level: High-A) Every season, it seems like the Royals add a pitcher who's a bit under the radar to the 40-man roster. Last season, it was Avila. A couple of seasons ago, it was Angel Zerpa. A season before that, it was Carlos Hernandez. The Royals' front office knows which arms to add to the roster to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft. Arronde could be that next "sleeper" arm added to the 40-man roster who could make an impact at the Major League level sooner rather than later. The 22-year-old Dominican righty pitched with Quad Cities last year and thrived as one of the River Bandits' best starters. In 26 outings (24 starts) and 128.1 IP, he posted a 2.80 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. He wasn't a strikeout artist by any means, as he only sported a K rate of 19.5%. Thus, it's not a surprise that his 3.87 FIP was nearly a full run higher than his ERA. That said, Arronde showcases solid control (2.40 K/BB ratio), limits the longball (0.63 HR/9), and has an intriguing frame that could help him get better as he gets older and grows into it. When watching him pitch in clips, he has the profile of a Miami Marlins pitching prospect, which isn't a bad projection, especially considering the success of Sandy Alcantara, Eury Perez, and Edward Cabrera at the Major League level. Arronde has also received high marks from scouts not just for his long frame, but also for his competitiveness on the mound, as noted in his scouting report on MLB Pipeline. If the Royals don't add Arronde to the 40-man roster, he likely will be utilized in a trade or selected in the Rule 5 Draft, even if he hasn't pitched above High-A ball. That's how talented the right-hander is and the upside he possesses. 11th: Yandel Ricardo, SS (Highest Level: Low-A) Ricardo was the Royals' top international signing in 2024, as the 17th-best prospect in the class, according to MLB Pipeline, and signed for $2.4 million. The Cuban shortstop received high marks from scouts for his athleticism, strong contact skills, and a projectable frame that could lead to more power in the future, especially once he reached the MLB level. In 45 games and 196 plate appearances in the DSL, he only hit .213 with a .696 OPS. However, he posted a 0.74 BB/K ratio, hit two home runs, and stole 14 bases as a 17-year-old. He transitioned that first taste of professional experience to the States in 2025. He did much better in the Arizona Complex League after a full offseason and Spring Training with the Royals development team. In 33 games and 145 plate appearances in Arizona, Ricardo slashed .342/.438/..533 with a .971 OPS. He also hit two home runs, scored 26 runs, collected 21 RBI, and stole 17 bases. Without a doubt, the 18-year-old was the best player in Arizona for the Royals by a considerable margin, which helped him earn a promotion to Low-A Columbia later in the season. It was a more humbling experience for the teenager in low-A Columbia. In 88 games and 345 plate appearances, he slashed .212/.279/.268 with a .547 OPS. He didn't hit a home run, and he saw his BB/K ratio go from 0.51 in the ACL to 0.32 in Low-A. Conversely, he stole 14 bases in 17 attempts and demonstrated solid defense in the field. The roadblocks Ricardo saw in the Carolina League aren't anything to panic about. Vazquez also saw similar struggles in his first exposure to full-season affiliated ball. Furthermore, Royals fans saw what Ricardo was able to do initially in 2025 after a slow start in the DSL in 2024. With a new hitting coordinator hire on the horizon (Drew Saylor was let go at the conclusion of the 2025 season), Ricardo will likely be a priority for the new hitting development leadership. If they can tap into the Cuban infielder's full potential, then they could have an All-Star on their hands who could give the Royals long-term stability in the middle infield. As a teenager, however, he carries a significant risk and could easily burn out if he doesn't make the necessary adjustments at the plate in the near future. View full article

Image courtesy of © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images We're still a few weeks away from the Winter Meetings, but that hasn't stopped the offseason buzz regarding possible trades, especially with the Kansas City Royals. One player that has been the focus of trade talks among Royals fans is outfielder Jarren Duran of the Red Sox. The Royals need to improve their outfield, which ranked 30th in fWAR and wRC+, according to Fangraphs. Duran could be an option for Kansas City, especially since he has two years of club control left and doesn't seem in line to receive an extension from the Red Sox anytime soon, due to the presence of other young outfielders like Roman Anthony and Wilyer Abreu. Last season, Duran posted a 111 wRC+ and 3.9 fWAR in 696 plate appearances with the Red Sox. He also hit 16 home runs, collected 84 RBI, scored 86 runs, and stole 24 bases. The BB/K ratio (0.36) leaves a bit to be desired, and he regressed defensively (-2 OAA in OF) after a stellar campaign in 2024 (+10 OAA). Still, Duran would be a significant upgrade for the Royals at any of the three outfield positions next season, and his Statcast profile last year was a lot better than what Kansas City trotted out primarily in the corner outfield positions. A popular tool for determining "fair" trades is Baseball Trade Values' Trade Simulator. As with any simulator, there are kinks to be worked out (and BTV does a good job of consistently updating it). That said, it does provide a benchmark for what a player costs in terms of value (both short- and long-term) and the capital required to acquire them. In this "Royals Trade Machine" post, I am going to look at a couple of hypothetical trades floating around on social media and offer one trade that I think could work not just for the Royals but for the Red Sox as well. Trade #1: First Baseman Vinnie Pasquantino and Catcher Ramon Ramirez for Duran Sammy from the Play Tessie podcast posted this trade proposal on social media on November 6th. Pasquantino is coming off one of his best seasons in his career on the offensive end. In 682 plate appearances, he hit 32 home runs and collected 113 RBI, both career-highs. He also posted a 116 wRC+, his highest mark in that category since his 72-game rookie sample in 2022 (136 wRC+). However, while those surface-level metrics are nice, Pasquantino didn't offer much on defense (-7 OAA) and only accumulated 1.5 fWAR. As for Ramirez, injury limited him to 331 plate appearances in his first full professional season with Columbia. Still, he hit 12 home runs and posted a 116 wRC+. The 20-year-old catcher also had some big moments in Low-A Columbia, including a walk-off homer in May. When looking at the trade via BTV, their model rejected this proposal due to a significant gap in value between the two teams. A gap of nearly 30 in value is a lot to overcome, which is why this deal probably doesn't get done. Even though this deal is friendly to the Royals in terms of BTV's surplus value, it also seems unlikely that Kansas City would trade a fan favorite like Vinnie, especially after the season he just had. Trade #2: Staring Pitcher Noah Cameron, Catcher Blake Mitchell, and Reliever Angel Zerpa for Duran Max Rieper of Royals Review brought up this trade proposal in a November 12th piece on the site, which also delved deeper into Duran's profile and history. Max did the hard work of ensuring this trade worked for both sides in the BTV Trade Simulator. The Royals get the better value still in this trade, but it's only a 2.80 difference rather than the 28.80 difference from the Play Tessi proposal. In many ways, I like this deal for a few different reasons: Kansas City holds onto Kris Bubic, who I think is more valuable than Noah Cameron. While Cameron had a good year, Bubic's ceiling is much higher than Cameron's, which is evident in Bubic's TJ Stats summary from a season ago. That said, trading Cameron away puts some pressure on the Royals to sign Bubic to an extension. I am not sure the Royals are willing to do that, based on what GM JJ Picollo said in the GM meetings. Losing Blake Mitchell is a tough pill to swallow, especially after a solid AFL campaign, which can be seen in his TJ Stats profile from Arizona below. However, with the emergence of Carter Jensen last year, two more years of Salvador Perez, and Ramirez showing promise in Low-A ball, Mitchell is the most expendable of their top prospects. Plus, Mitchell's "swing and miss" issues are worrisome, and that was evident in Arizona with a 38.2% whiff rate with Surprise. Angel Zerpa is fine, but he's not a high-leverage lefty, as his 4.18 ERA and 0.3 fWAR demonstrated a season ago. The main drawback of this deal is that the Royals are giving up three players for one player, which seems like a lot for Duran, who is a free agent after the 2027 season. Trade #3: Starting Pitcher Kris Bubic, Reliever James McArthur, and Utility Player Nick Loftin for Duran and Pitcher Jordan Hicks My trade proposal involves the Royals not just acquiring Duran, but also a bad deal on the books for the Red Sox that could soften the deal. While I prefer the Royals to keep Bubic, the reality is that he's their best trade chip, especially with Boston. I don't think the Red Sox, an analytical organization, would be sold on Cameron based on his TJ Stats summary. A subpar four-seamer and a slightly below average TJ Stuff+ mark of 98 pales in comparison to Bubic's TJ Stuff+ numbers. Thus, for the Royals to get a player of Duran's caliber, Bubic makes more sense in a trade scenario. I also threw in Nick Loftin, who gives the Red Sox a utility option off the bench. The Red Sox have had success with Nate Eaton, another former Royals utility player and draft pick. They may be able to utilize Loftin in a similar role, and Loftin has more of a prospect pedigree than Eaton, who's been a bit up and down at the MLB level. Loftin posted a 0.1 fWAR and 73 wRC+ in 188 plate appearances last year. The last part of this deal involves trading a talented but slightly erratic arm, James McArthur, for a similar pitcher with a bigger contract, Jordan Hicks. McArthur missed all of 2025 due to recovery from surgery, and he had troubles holding down the closer position in 2024. However, while his 4.77 ERA wasn't impressive, he still posted pretty solid TJ Stuff+ numbers with the Royals a couple of seasons ago. He could be a nice project for the Red Sox, who should come at a pretty reasonable price (expected to make $800,000 this year). As for the Red Sox, they would deal Hicks, who posted a 6.35 ERA and is making $12.5 million over the next two years. That's a lot to sink on a likely reliever, though the Red Sox were hoping they could get something out of him in the rotation when they acquired him. I think the Royals could take on Hicks' money to sweeten this deal, and Hicks could also be a nice project for pitching coach Brian Sweeney. Based on all these factors, here's how this trade calculates out on the BTV Trade Simulator. The deal not only favors the Red Sox value-wise, but it's nearly identical in terms of value given up by both teams, according to the BTV Trade Simulator. Of course, would the Red Sox give up Hicks as well in the deal? Would McArthur and Loftin be the types Boston would like in return, along with Bubic? Those are all questions that would need to be clarified for this deal to be a reality. However, if they are explained, I think this would be the best win-win for both the Royals and Red Sox in 2026 and beyond. Which trade do you like the most? Let us know in the comments below or on the Royals Keep Forums! 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Image courtesy of © Brett Davis-Imagn Images The Kansas City Royals' farm system has made tremendous strides in the past couple of seasons under new scouting director Brian Bridges, who took over in September of 2023. While rankings of the farm system remain a bit mixed among experts, it has come a long way in two seasons under Bridges, who has done an excellent job of drafting and signing international talent. The Royals tend to be more aggressive in promoting prospects. According to Roster Resource, 20 of the Royals' players on the 40-man roster are homegrown. That includes Bobby Witt Jr., Maikel Garcia, Salvador Perez, and Kris Bubic, who all have made the All-Star team in the past couple of years. They have also moved aggressively with prospects such as Jac Caglianone, Carter Jensen, and Noah Cameron, who all contributed to the Royals in 2025 as rookies. The approach has resulted in prospects moving on and off prospect lists more quickly than in some teams that tend to keep prospects longer. That has affected their overall team rankings, probably deflating them a bit since prospects are graduating so rapidly. Even though this isn't an elite system, it's better than average and definitely deserves more respect among baseball fans and prospect experts. In this series, I am going to look at the Top 20 prospects in the Royals system, starting with the 20th to 16th-best prospects. The prospects in this group include a couple of prep arms whose prospect stocks have deflated a bit, a promising teenage international signing, a recently drafted college arm, and an outfielder who's coming off a solid Arizona Fall League campaign in Surprise. 20th: Frank Mozzicato, LHP (Highest Level: Double-A) The former seventh overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, Mozzicato has struggled to meet the expectations of being a former Top-10 pick. On the one hand, Mozzicato showed some promise in 2025. He made the Futures Game roster (with Jensen) and posted a 1.24 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP, and a 25.3% K rate in seven starts and 36.1 IP with High-A Quad Cities River Bandits. His curveball remains his premier offering, with many scouts remarking that it is "MLB-ready". However, his promotion to Double-A Northwest Arkansas was much more underwhelming. In 24 appearances (20 starts) and 93 IP with the Naturals, the 22-year-old lefty posted a 7.46 ERA, 1.96 WHIP, and 17.6% K rate. He walked more batters than he struck out (-1.8% K-BB%) and also saw a significant uptick in home runs allowed (0.50 HR/9 in High-A to 1.59 in Double-A). Thus, even though Mozzicato is Rule 5 eligible, it seems likely that the Royals will not add him to the 40-man roster this offseason. The reason Mozzicato is No. 20 is that a move to the bullpen could perhaps do wonders for his stuff and development. At this point, it's evident that Mozzicato is not going to be a starter at the MLB level. However, with a plus pitch in his arsenal and less mileage on his arm, it's possible that the Connecticut native could thrive and contribute to an MLB bullpen at the end of 2026 or on Opening Day in 2027. 19th: Warren Calcaño, SS (Highest Level: DSL) Calcaño was one of the Royals' top signings of a heralded international class last season. The Dominican-born infielder signed for $2.5 million and was ranked as a Top-50 player in his class by Baseball America. He only played in nine games in the DSL due to injury, but Calcaño certainly made his mark in his limited sample. In 35 plate appearances, the 17-year-old shortstop slashed .346/.514/.538 with a 1.053 OPS. He also hit a home run, collected two RBI, scored seven runs, and stole seven bases on eight attempts. Despite a diminutive frame, Calcaño showcases surprising power. There is still a long way to go in his prospect development, and Royals fans have seen prospects do well in the DSL only to burn out once they reach the Complex League or Low-A ball. That said, Calcaño is a talented infielder who could be a future leadoff hitter if he develops properly, especially at the plate. 18th: Michael Lombardi, RHP/OF (Highest Level: College) The Royals drafted the two-way player out of Tulane in the second round of last year's draft, and he's an intriguing prospect who likely will be a pitcher at the professional level. The Green Wave primarily utilized him as a reliever last season, and in 23 outings and 42 IP, he posted a 2.14 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and a 43.5% K rate. The Royals moved slowly with Lombardi after he was drafted, as he did not pitch or play at all in affiliated ball. However, the upside is certainly there, and he could be a guy who could move quickly in the Royals' farm system, mainly if he sticks as a reliever. Here's what MLB Pipeline said about Lombardi in their latest scouting report. Lombardi is definitely one to watch in High-A, where he is likely to debut in 2026. If he thrives there, he could be in Double-A or even Triple-A by the end of the season. 17th: Blake Wolters, RHP (Highest Level: Low-A) Wolters was drafted in the second round of the 2023 MLB Draft as an overslot second-rounder (he signed for $2.8 million out of high school). However, he has only shown incremental progress in two seasons in Low-A Columbia. After posting a 4.20 ERA in 14 starts and 55.2 IP, the 21-year-old righty posted a 3.99 ERA in 12 starts and 47.1 IP. His K rate improved from 18.6% to 19.3% between 2024 and 2025. However, his walk rate also increased from 10.1% to 19.3% over that time span. Wolters missed considerable time due to injury, as he didn't pitch from May 31st until August 29th, according to Fangraphs' game logs. When he returned, he particularly struggled with walks, as he walked nine batters and only struck out six in 6.2 IP over those two outings. Even though the results haven't quite been there for Wolters, the stuff is intriguing, and the upside remains pretty high. That said, improving the shape and command of his pitch repertoire will be crucial going forward. He struggles to put away batters, which explains his average K rates and mediocre walk rates. If the Royals' pitching development can help him refine his pitch mix and quality, then it's possible that Wolters could be a middle-of-the-rotation starter in the future. 16th: Carson Roccaforte, OF (Highest Level: Double-A) Roccaforte was disappointing in his first full Minor League season in 2024. A compensation round pick (66th overall) in 2023, he slashed .208/.293/.342 with a .635 OPS in 471 plate appearances. Granted, he showed some pop (10 home runs), excellent speed on the basepaths (34 stolen bases), and strong defense in the outfield. That said, it was hard to take him seriously as a prospect due to his contact issues at the time. The former Louisiana-Lafayette prospect showed progress in 2025 in High-A and Double-A ball. In 551 plate appearances at those two levels combined, he slashed .258/.373/.470 with an .842 OPS. He also hit 18 home runs, stole 43 bases, and was named the Minor League defensive player of the year by the Royals. It was also a solid Arizona Fall League campaign for Roccaforte. Not only did he lead the Saguaros to an AFL title, but he also hit two home runs and slashed .269/.386/.463 with an .848 OPS in 83 plate appearances. Unfortunately, the issue with Roccaforte in the AFL was similar to his problem in High-A and Double-A: strikeouts. He struck out nearly 30% of the time last season and 33.7% in the AFL. He also showcased some contact issues, as seen in his Statcast data from the AFL via TJ Stats. Based on his results, Roccaforte should be a higher-ranked prospect in the Royals system. He should be able to matriculate to the MLB level in 2026 or 2027, as long as he stays healthy. Unfortunately, it's hard to think too loftily about his Major League outlook with such evident contact and strikeout concerns. View full article

I like Bubic a lot too. That makeup and ability to modify and adapt quickly isn't easy to do. I think if he's healthy, he could be a key part of a playoff rotation in 2026. I guess the big thing is whether or not the Royals can sign him beyond this year. That's why I think the Royals acquired Black, to give them some depth both in the short and long term, especially if Bubic is traded or leaves.

On Thursday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that the Royals were one of the interested teams in utility player Brendan Donovan. Donovan has proven to be a solid player for the Cardinals in his four seasons in the Majors. In 492 games, he has a career slash of .282/.361/.411 with a .772 OPS. In 2025, he slashed .283/.353/.422 with a .775 OPS. Donovan also hit 10 home runs, scored 64 runs, and collected 50 RBI. Even though he produced a -1 OAA and -1 FRV last year in terms of defensive metrics, according to Savant, the 28-year-old primarily played left field and second base, two positions that need improvement in 2026. Donovan doesn't flash big-time home run power, but he squares up the ball well and demonstrates strong plate discipline, according to Statcast data via TJ Stats. The Cardinals likely would be interested in acquiring starting pitching from Kansas City in exchange for Donovan. Last year, St. Louis ranked 25th in starting pitcher ERA, 22nd in SP WHIP, and 29th in SP K/9. They also don't have much proven pitching in the rotation beyond Sonny Gray, though Matthew Liberatore showed some improvement in 2025 (4.21 ERA in 151.2 IP). It's been reported that multiple teams are interested in Kris Bubic, who missed most of the second half due to a rotator cuff injury but should be ready for Opening Day in 2026. The Cardinals could be one of those teams, and they may be interested in signing Bubic long-term if acquired. It's unlikely Bubic alone would net Donovan. However, the Royals could also throw in prospects from positions of depth, which include pitching and catching. Ben Kudrna pitched in Triple-A and has a better chance to break into the Cardinals' rotation this spring than the Royals'. Blake Mitchell is coming off a strong finish in the Arizona Fall League and could be expendable after a breakout season by Carter Jensen, who was called up when rosters expanded in September. If the Royals aren't willing to move Mitchell, they could offer Ramon Ramirez, a slugging catching prospect who primarily played in Low-A Columbia in 2025. Photo Credit: © Eakin Howard-Imagn Images View full rumor

On Thursday afternoon, Will Sammon, a senior MLB writer at The Athletic, reported that Kris Bubic is generating trade interest from multiple teams, according to sources. He broke the report on social media. Bubic made his MLB debut in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, despite not pitching above High-A ball. After posting a 4.32 ERA in 50 IP in 2020 and a 4.43 ERA in 130 IP in 2021, he struggled in 2022. In manager Mike Matheny's final season in Kansas City, he went 3-13 and posted a 5.58 ERA and 1.70 WHIP in 129 IP, all career-worsts. The former Stanford product only pitched three games in 2023 due to an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. However, he returned to the mound in 2024 as a reliever and absolutely thrived as a late-inning reliever for a Royals team that went 86-76 and made it to the ALDS. In 30.1 IP, he posted a 2.67 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and a K rate of 32.2%. The Royals moved Bubic back to the rotation in 2025, and he looked phenomenal at first. In 18 games before the All-Star Break, he posted a 2.48 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and struck out 113 batters and only walked 34 in 108.2 IP. That performance helped him earn his first All-Star appearance. However, Bubic didn't look the same after the All-Star Break, as he posted a 3.52 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in two starts and 7.2 IP. He actually had more walks (five) than strikeouts (three). The Royals had him checked out, and it was revealed that he had a left rotator cuff strain. As a result, Kansas City shut him down for the remainder of the season. According to MLB Trade Rumors, Bubic has been cleared to resume throwing, a good sign that he will be ready for Spring Training. Thus, it makes sense why many teams would be interested in Bubic, as he seemed to be an AL Cy Young candidate last year before being shut down for the remainder of the season due to injury. The Royals have Bubic under team control for one more year, but his projected arbitration salary will be high at $6 million, and he will be a free agent after next season. In an interview with John Bonnes of Diamondcentric yesterday at the MLB GM meetings, JJ Picollo mentioned Bubic as an extension candidate. Still, he didn't share any details on that progress (or if it was on the horizon). Kansas City may be able to trade Bubic to a team that is more willing to sign him to an extension after acquiring him, despite his injury history. Jon Morosi of MLB Network recently reported that the Royals are interested in acquiring an outfielder via trade this offseason. Thus, trading Bubic could help them achieve that goal. Jarren Duran has been floated as a trade target for the Royals, but it's hard to tell what kind of return he would require. If the Royals pursue that path, it likely will include Bubic as a starting point, at a minimum. Photo Credit: © Denny Medley-Imagn Images View full rumor

Image courtesy of © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images John Bonnes, covering for Diamondcentric, was at the MLB GM meetings today and spoke with Kansas City Royals general manager JJ Picollo for a few minutes. Picollo, in his fourth season as head front office honcho in Kansas City, had some interesting things to say about their latest coaching and roster additions, as well as what they may be looking to do this offseason. Thus, let's take a look at four takeaways from Picollo's comments at the GM meetings with John. Thames and Dawson Should Fit With Zumwalt's Philosophy The Royals have filled out their hitting staff by hiring Connor Dawson and Marcus Thames, who come over from the Brewers and White Sox, respectively. That said, while they will bring fresh perspectives to the Royals coaching staff, they seem to align with the philosophy and approach of lead hitting coach Alec Zumwalt, who was retained for another season. Here's what Picollo said about their two new coaching additions. Picollo's comments about building the coaching staff like a team were interesting and give credence to the Royals' decision to acquire two different kinds of coaches: Dawson, a younger, analytical type, and Thames, a more seasoned hitting coach with Major League experience. The Royals took a step forward in 2024 by creating a roster with the right mix of youth and veterans. It seems like Picollo was keen on doing that with his hitting team this offseason. Regardless, the Royals seem to have confidence in Zumwalt and believe in his philosophy and his ability as hitting coach. However, it looks like Picollo feels that Zumwalt has better people around him in Dawson and Thames who can help the Royals produce results on the hitting side in 2026 and hopefully, beyond. Black Likely Pitching in the Bullpen Picollo talked a bit about Mason Black, who was acquired by the Royals yesterday from San Francisco in exchange for pitching prospect Logan Martin, who pitched primarily in High-A Quad Cities last season. The former third-round pick rotated between the rotation and bullpen during his brief time in San Francisco. However, it seems like Picollo and the Royals are more focused on him starting in relief for now, heading into Spring Training. It doesn't seem like Picollo is ruling out the rotation completely for Black. That said, their newest pitcher will likely have a better shot of making the Opening Day roster as a reliever. Thus, how his stuff plays up in relief this spring could determine if he can find a role in the Royals' bullpen. A velocity increase or repertoire modification could help him find a place in a Royals bullpen that is looking for help in terms of strikeouts (they ranked 29th in K/9 as a bullpen last year). Don't Expect Any Extensions Soon After Bobby Witt Jr. earned an extension after the 2023 season, many Royals fans have wondered if another young Royals player may be getting an extension this offseason. After all, Maikel Garcia made the All-Star team and posted a 5.6 fWAR. Vinnie Pasquantino led the team with 32 home runs. Carter Jensen and Jac Caglianone both made the Major Leagues and showed flashes of promise in their rookie debuts. However, Picollo mentioned that an extension doesn't seem to be a priority just yet, based on Picollo's comments at the GM meetings. It was interesting that he mentioned Bubic as a higher priority because the lefty is in his last year of team control. Still, he didn't quite mention an extension specifically for him. Does that mean he's a trade candidate? Or is Picollo holding his cards close to the chest with a possible Bubic deal? There's still some time to go, but any Royals fan expecting a Garcia or Pasquantino extension this offseason may be in for a rude awakening this winter. Royals Look to Be Active in the Trade and Free Agent Markets Picollo was asked about the large number of arbitration-eligible candidates, and he didn't necessarily dismiss it as a bad thing. Thus, while some players like Jonathan India and Bailey Falter may command high salaries this offseason, Picollo didn't hint that they would be non-tender candidates (or not just yet, anyways). Furthermore, Picollo also mentioned that the Royals would need to pursue multiple bats this offseason to improve the offense. Hence, he seemed more in favor of utilizing the trade market this offseason (though he's not completely abandoning free agents who could be a good fit). Picollo will likely add to the offense through free agency and trades, as he has in each of his previous offseasons as GM. However, his comments suggest that if the Royals make a significant player acquisition this offseason, it will be via trade rather than free agency. Thus, those Royals fans hoping for a big signing like Alex Bregman or Cody Bellinger this offseason may be sorely disappointed. View full article

Yeah, I think there's some potential there. He's got the intelligence and work ethic like Bubic, it seems, and I think he will mesh with this coaching staff. I'm not sure if he will be a starter or reliever, but I could see him take a step forward in development in Kansas City.

Image courtesy of © Dennis Lee-Imagn Images On Tuesday afternoon, the Royals announced on Bluesky that they would be acquiring right-handed pitcher Mason Black from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for right-handed pitcher Logan Martin. The move comes in the wake of the Giants designating Black for assignment on November 6th to make room for outfielder Justin Dean (formerly of the Dodgers) and left-handed pitcher Reiver Sanmartin (formerly of the Reds). Before Black could be a free agent, the Royals were able to pull off a trade for the talented but inconsistent righty. The move now puts the Royals' 40-man roster at 37, according to Roster Resource as of November 11th. They have three open roster spots, but more should open up this offseason. Kansas City GM JJ Picollo will likely non-tender more players before the November 21st Non-Tender deadline, with some candidates being Jonathan India and Bailey Falter, who are estimated to command $7.4 million and $3.3 million this offseason, respectively. The acquisition of Black gives the Royals some flexible pitching depth, especially with Black still holding a Minor League option for 2026. In return, the Giants receive Logan Martin, who posted a 3.45 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 11.1% K-BB% in 22 starts and 91.1 IP for the High-A Quad Cities River Bandits. Martin has pitched in the Arizona Fall League with Surprise, but has struggled with the Saguaros, posting a 9.82 ERA and 2.18 WHIP. Based on his pitching summary data from TJ Stats (utilizing his October 25th outing as an example), the former Kentucky Wildcat has shown good stuff, but struggled to generate chases and whiffs in Arizona. Even though it's not an "earth-shattering" move, Black is an intriguing arm with long-term potential who was once a top prospect in the San Francisco Giants system. Thus, can Brian Sweeney and the Royals' pitching coaches (sans Zach Bove, who is now with the White Sox) help tap into Black's full potential in Kansas City in 2026? A Look at Black's Time in San Francisco Hopes were certainly high among Giants fans for Black, a third-round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft out of Lehigh University, a Patriot League school. Black had an excellent Minor League season in 2023, posting a 3.71 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 20.1% K-BB% in 29 starts and 123.2 IP between Double-A and Triple-A. As a result, MLB Pipeline ranked Black the Giants' No. 8 prospect entering the 2024 season. Here's what Pipeline said in their scouting report. The combination of Black's diverse repertoire, solid command, and atypical delivery made him one of the Giants' better pitching prospects in the upper Minors, as seen below in this highlight film of him pitching with the Sacramento Rivercats, the Giants' Triple-A affiliate, in 2024. Black finally made his MLB debut in May of that season, but the results weren't great in his initial exposure to Major League hitters. In nine outings (eight starts) and 36.1 IP with the Giants that season, the right-hander posted a 6.44 ERA, 1.68 WHIP, and 9.5% K-BB%. His FIP was only nominally better at 5.45, and his -0.2 fWAR illustrated how mediocre his San Francisco debut was a couple of seasons ago. While Black did flash some strikeout stuff, he didn't generate enough whiffs and chases, and he also struggled with giving up a lot of hard hits and barrels. When looking at his TJ Stats season pitching summary profile, Black showcased slightly below-average stuff, with a 97 overall TJ Stuff+. As a result, he struggled to generate consistent chases (27.4%) and whiffs (16.4%), and he also gave up a lot of hard and productive contact, as illustrated by his .428 xwOBACON. His four-seamer was perhaps his most intriguing pitch in 2024, which he threw 31.5% of the time (his most used offering). Even though it sported a 95 Tj Stuff+ and 46 grade, he did produce a 30.6% chase rate and 23.1% whiff rate on the pitch, both above-average marks. The only problem was that he gave up a xwOBACON of .601 on the fastball, the worst mark in his six-pitch repertoire. Things didn't seem to get better for Black in 2025. His ERA in Sacramento ballooned to 5.81 in 119.1 IP, and his 21.5% K rate was 2.2% lower than his Triple-A mark in 2024 and 6.4% lower than his mark with the Rivercats in 2023. His TJ Stats pitcher summary profile from Sacramento last year didn't look hot either, on both the stuff and results ends. With the Rivercats last season, his overall TJ Stuff+ was 96, and he only posted a chase rate of 25.4%, a whiff rate of 24.8%, and an xwOBACON of .365. The latter two marks are around average to slightly below, but considering it was his third stint in Triple-A, he was expected to produce more dominant results. Black only made one appearance in 2025 with the Giants, a four-inning relief appearance on the Fourth of July against the Athletics. He gave up five runs on five hits, including two home runs. However, he struck out five, walked zero, flooded the strike zone (71.6% strike rate; 55.4% zone rate), and showcased some intriguing development with his pitches from 2024, especially with the sweeper. Against the A's, Black's sweeper sported a 103 TJ Stuff+ and produced a 47.8% zone rate and 41.7% chase rate. The 30.8% whiff rate and .373 xwOBACON weren't impressive, but were still serviceable, especially for a pitch that he threw 31.1% of the time. In addition, he showed growth with his sweeper in nearly every category from the previous season with the Giants. He saw a `13.5% increase in chase, 14.8% increase in whiff, and a 59-point decrease in xwOBACON. It's a small sample (one game after all). However, it showed that Black made the necessary adjustments to his pitch mix and quality, leading to improvement from his rookie season. Why the Royals Would Want Black The one thing that sticks out about Black's history is that he is not just a student of the game, but an intelligent individual in general. Not only did he attend college at Lehigh, a pretty intense academic university, but he was also on the verge of entering medical school before getting drafted. Black's story and scientific approach to pitching were profiled in a short video segment from the San Francisco Giants back in 2023, when he was still a prospect in the Giants' farm system. The Royals have seemed to thrive with pitchers who not only study their craft but are willing to make the necessary adjustments to their pitch grips and repertoires. Seth Lugo finished second in the AL Cy Young race in 2024 thanks to the changes he made with the Royals. Cole Ragans went from questionable arm in Texas to Opening Day ace for the Royals. Lastly, Kris Bubic has thrived the most under Sweeney and the Royals' pitching development team, going from a mediocre starter to an AL All-Star last season. Black certainly has the mindset to rebound in Kansas City, and his tools aren't bad, if they can be adequately developed. Last year, his 6'8 average extension ranked in the 80th percentile. It was 6'7 this year (yes, get your laughs in, Gen Z folks), but that still ranked above average. That extension can make up for the lackluster velocity, which Black sported last year (92.7 MPH fastball velocity). An example? Bubic, who utilized his 85th percentile (6'9) extension to produce a 76th percentile whiff rate (28.8%), despite an 18th percentile fastball velocity (92.1 MPH). Bubic also had an average arm angle of 38 degrees, not tremendously different from the 29-degree arm angle that Black showcased last season with the Giants. Thus, it's in the realm of possibility that a few minor tweaks from Sweeney and the Royals' pitching coaches could help Black solidify the bottom of the Royals' rotation. If he doesn't have the length to be a starter, Black could thrive in the bullpen, especially with a four-seamer and sweeper combo that can be effective when utilized properly. That was on display in this strikeout of A's catcher Shea Langeliers in Black's lone outing last season. Now, is Black going to be the next Bubic? That may be a little rash, especially since Black has proven far less at the MLB level than the former Stanford product. At the same time, Royals fans shouldn't sleep on or completely dismiss Black and his potential. He has the intelligence, the tools, and the repertoire to become a serviceable starter or reliever for the Royals as soon as next season. Furthermore, there is some long-term upside with Black if everything clicks in Kansas City, especially since he will be only 26 when pitchers and catchers report in February. View full article

For sure. I think Frazier coming back is a foregone conclusion too which would make the non tender decision even easier with India

Image courtesy of © Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images After filling out the hitting coaching staff with the hirings of Connor Dawson and Marcus Thames and non-tendering pitchers Sam Long and Kyle Wright, the Royals have been active in adding to the depth of their roster this offseason, especially on the offensive end. Royals GM JJ Picollo hasn't added any big names just yet. It's a bit too early for that, and significant transaction "talk" doesn't typically happen until the Winter Meetings in December. That said, Kansas City has added two athletic depth pieces over the past week who will likely be with the Royals in Spring Training in Surprise for camp and will battle for spots on the Opening Day roster. Let's take a look at the Royals' newest acquisitions, who also hold local ties to the Kansas City area. Royals Acquire Outfielder From Rays On Monday afternoon, the Royals announced that they traded for outfielder Kameon Misner from the Tampa Bay Rays for a player to be named later and/or cash considerations. The 28-year-old outfielder is a graduate of the University of Missouri and was selected 35th overall in the 2019 MLB Draft by the Miami Marlins. Misner mashed in Triple-A in 2023 and 2024, as he hit 38 combined home runs with the Durham Bulls over those two seasons. He also posted a 105 wRC+ in 2023 and a 109 wRC+ in 2024. He also stole 21 bases in 2023 and 30 bases in 2024, making him a dual power and speed threat. He had only a small MLB sample in 2024, playing in eight games. However, the Rays gave him a more substantial opportunity at the MLB level last season. Unfortunately, it didn't go well, which explains why Tampa Bay was willing to trade him to Kansas City. In 71 games and 217 plate appearances, Misner slashed .213/.273/.345 with five home runs, 27 runs scored, 22 RBI, and eight stolen bases. He also posted a .618 OPS and 71 wRC+ with the Rays. A big issue for Misner, even in Triple-A, has been the strikeouts. He sported a 29.3% K rate with Durham in 2024, and that followed him to the Majors last year, as he struck out 31.7% of the time. He also walked only 7.4% and had mediocre contact and whiff rates, according to his Statcast percentages via TJ Stats. His whiff rate ranked in the 3rd percentile, and his Z-Contact% ranked in the 6th percentile. He also posted a 7th percentile hard-hit rate and 2nd percentile LA Sweet-Spot%, which is not what one wants to see from a hitter with such low contact numbers. He did sport a Pull% in the 63rd percentile, and his 90th Percentile EV ranked in the 40th percentile, which aren't terrible marks. On a positive note, he was three outs above average defensively, according to Savant, and ranked in the 79th percentile in arm value and 85th percentile in arm strength. Thus, at the very least, Misner could be a defensive option off the bench who could fill in all three outfield spots for the Royals. Royals Sign Former Diamondbacks Infielder to Minor League Deal On Friday, the Royals signed former Arizona shortstop Connor Kaiser to a Minor League contract. Kaiser is a local product, as he attended high school in the Blue Valley School District in Kansas. Kaiser has a more humble professional pedigree than Misner. The 28-year-old infielder out of Vanderbilt was a third-round pick by the Pirates in 2018 and has only had 14 career games and 23 plate appearances at the Major League level. In the sample, he has a career slash of .091/.130/.136 with a .267 OPS. The Diamondbacks primarily kept him in Reno in 2025, and he posted average numbers in Triple-A. In 71 games and 229 plate appearances, he slashed .236/.345/.406 with a .751 OPS. He also hit six home runs, scored 32 runs, collected 31 RBI, and stole two bases. When looking at his TJ Stats profile from Triple-A, no particular tool of Kaiser sticks out. On a positive note, Kaiser didn't chase a whole lot; he swung at a lot of pitches in the strike zone, and he walked a lot. Other than that, however, he doesn't seem to offer much to this Royals team at the MLB level, especially with the glut of infielders they already have with Bobby Witt Jr., Maikel Garcia, Jonathan India, and Michael Massey. The Kaiser move is likely to add to their depth in Omaha, especially after the Royals released 20 players in their system last week, including former top prospect Nick Pratto. Even though Kaiser will likely not do much at the Major League level in 2025, he is expected to compete for playing time in Surprise during Spring Training. Can Misner and Kaiser Benefit From the New Hitting Staff? The Royals have filled out their hitting coach staff this offseason with Connor Dawson from the Brewers and Marcus Thames from the White Sox. It definitely seems like the Royals want to increase their hitters' aggressiveness while minimizing the chasing that plagued them at times in 2025. According to Fangraphs, the Royals had the 11th-highest O-Swing% in baseball while ranking 17th in Swing%. That doesn't seem like a recipe for success, and their meager hitting rankings from a year ago (26th in runs scored) seem to illustrate that. However, it seems like Dawson and Thames will bring a refreshing perspective to the Royals coaching staff, especially Thames, who was known for preaching disciplined aggressiveness at the plate with hitters at his multiple stops (as I pointed out on Bluesky from a CHGO article that came out after he took over as hitting coach). One has to wonder if the Misner and Kaiser moves, while minuscule in scale, are players that could benefit from the new coaching regime in 2026. While the Royals had chase problems at the plate, the Rays were technically worse. Their 29.4% O-Swing% was the fifth-highest in baseball last season. Furthermore, their 63.7% F-Strike% was the third-highest (for comparison, the Royals had the seventh-highest rate at 62.6%). Conversely, the Brewers (where Dawson comes from) ranked 23rd in F-Strike% and 29th in O-Swing%. Thus, while the acquisitions of Misner and Kaiser will likely impact the Omaha club more than the Royals one in 2026, it will be interesting to see if either player can see a bump in plate discipline and production under this revamped Royals hitting staff. If one or both can see some progression, the Royals could be on their way not only to having an elite pitching coach staff (though the loss of Zach Bove hurts), but perhaps a hitting one as well, long term. 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I go back and forth. I could also see a situation where they sign India but trade him to a team that's maybe more desperate for middle infield help. I think if Massey were healthier, they would definitely non-tender India. I agree that Pham and Refsnyder are low-hanging fruit. At the same time, I think that big-time outfield help would have to come through trade rather than free agency (unless they want to have a platoon of Yaz/Pham or Refsnyder which isn't eye-popping but could be productive).