1. Jac Caglianone, 1B
Age: 21 Ht: 6-5 Wt: 250
Acquired: 2024 Amateur Draft, Rd 1, Pick 6
FV: 60
It didn’t take long for Jac Caglianone to take the Double-A ranks by storm. He played just 38 games with the Naturals before the Royals front office promoted their top prospect to Triple-A Omaha. Caglianone has started playing right field this season and has showcased the immense raw power that he’s come to be known for. Beyond the power, Cags continues to chase out of the zone but has improved his approach some as a pro. He’ll never likely be much of a patient hitter with the current Royals hitting philosophy, but he’s started to work counts more to find more ideal pitches to barrel up. He should be in Kansas City before August.
2. Blake Mitchell, C
Age: 20 Ht: 6-0 Wt: 202
Acquired: 2023 Amateur Draft, Rd 1, Pick 8
FV: 55
Blake Mitchell has missed almost all of the 2025 season with a fractured hamate bone that he suffered in the spring. He appeared briefly in Arizona, rehabbing with the Complex League. After four games, however, he suffered a mild setback and has been again out of action since. Mitchell remains a stellar prospect and could be the franchise catcher of the future once Salvador Perez retires. Mitchell has a plus arm and power potential. The hit tool has been of concern early on in his pro career, but as his pitch recognition improves he should improve to at least average in that aspect of his game as well.
3. David Shields, LHP
Age: 18 Ht: 6-2 Wt: 210
Acquired: 2024 Amateur Draft, Rd 2, Pick 2
FV: 55
Shields quickly moved his way from the Complex League to Low-A Columbia in his debut season. His delivery is easily repeatable and he generates a good amount of control and power behind each pitch. The lefty uses a high leg kick, not too different from Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal. At such a young age, the fastball sitting 91-93 is still a good sign and Shields should be able to add to that as he builds muscle and strength. There’s the potential for a frontline starter should Shields develop as expected and his excellent command gives him a solid floor despite the prep profile. The ceiling for Shields is higher than any other arm in the Kansas City farm system.
4. Drew Beam, RHP
Age: 22 Ht: 6-4 Wt: 208
Acquired: 2024 Amateur Draft, Rd 3, Pick 2
FV: 50
Beam debuted with High-A Quad Cities in his first professional season. He didn’t pitch in affiliated ball after being drafted in 2024. Despite that, Beam has quickly shown that he probably should have debuted a level higher in 2025. The fastball has touched 98 with extra kick compared to what we saw from him at Tennessee. He pairs the fastball with a full arsenal, featuring a curveball, slider, and changeup. In his early returns with the River Bandits, Beam has posted a K-BB% bordering 20% thanks to strong command and a notable number of strikeouts. Without more elite strikeout numbers, Beam isn’t likely to land in the front of a big league rotation. Despite that, he’s a pretty safe bet to become a mid-rotation starter in the Major Leagues as early as 2027.
5. Luinder Avila, RHP
Age: 23 Ht: 6-3 Wt: 195
Acquired: 2018 International Free Agent (VEN)
FV: 50
Avila is on the cusp of the big leagues thanks to a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League. At times, he’s showcased an excellent arsenal with a plus fastball and good command. That strong arsenal has been plagued by inconsistency, however, as Avila continues to develop in the high minors. He’s posted career-best marks in strikeout rate while improving his walk rate substantially over recent years. It’s an impressive profile that could work out of a big league rotation or as a strong back-end bullpen piece. The consistency will be the largest barrier to Avila’s future prospects but he should pitch in Kansas City as early as 2025.
6. Carter Jensen, C
Age: 21 Ht: 6-0 Wt: 210
Acquired: 2021 Amateur Draft, Rd 3, Pick 7
FV: 45
Jensen skyrocketed up lists, finally reaching Pipeline’s Top 100 before the 2025 season. His first test at Double-A was a massive success a year ago. He offers above-average power potential with excellent pitch recognition at the plate. Defensively, Jensen has a strong arm and should be able to stick behind the dish as a big leaguer someday. The hit tool — as it’s been for much of his pro career thus far — has been the largest limiting factor in 2025. Jensen has regressed in that aspect of his game somewhat in 2025. He will need to improve the hit tool enough that it doesn’t limit his power output, but once he does Jensen should be on the doorstep of the Major Leagues.
7. Yandel Ricardo, SS
Age: 18 Ht: 6-1 Wt: 180
Acquired: 2024 Amateur Free Agent (DOM)
FV: 50
Yandel Ricardo has already made his way to the Complex League in 2025 after just one season in the Dominican Summer League. It was just his age-17 season in the Dominican, but Ricardo made impressive strides as the season went on a year ago. Improving both his power output and ability to hit for average as the year went on, Ricardo showcased exactly what made him such a highly touted international prospect when he signed with the Royals before the 2024 season. It’s an extremely well-rounded profile at the plate to go with plus defensive ability at shortstop. He offers a sky-high ceiling and is already moving his way fairly quickly through the farm system with success at both levels thus far.
8. Asbel Gonzalez, OF
Age: 19 Ht: 6-2 Wt: 170
Acquired: 2023 International Free Agent (VEN)
FV: 45
Gonzalez has been the best base stealer in the minor leagues so far in 2025 and could finish the year with one of the best seasons we’ve seen this decade in that aspect. His first test of Low-A has seen the high-ceiling outfield prospect swipe 36 bags in his first 38 games. Gonzalez has walked 11.0% while limiting strikeouts to just 12.2%. It’s a potentially plus hit tool to go with double-plus speed and at least above-average defense in center field (the glove could very well be plus as well). The largest limiting factor is simply the power. Gonzalez has yet to show an ability to truly drive the baseball. With a groundball rate north of 50%, Gonzalez will almost certainly face more difficulty as he moves through the minor leagues. The batted ball profile needs to improve some to raise the ceiling, but the speed and defense provide an excellent floor to start with.
9. Steven Zobac, RHP
Age: 24 Ht: 6-3 Wt: 185
Acquired: 2024 Amateur Draft, Rd 4, Pick 9
FV: 50
Zobac started the 2025 season in a bit of a rough patch. His 7.75 FIP across two starts wasn’t pretty and he quickly landed on the injured list with a knee injury. The injury wasn’t seen as serious and shouldn’t require surgery, but there may have been a mild setback as Zobac started to progress back into throwing. He’s yet to appear back on the mound in game action. Zobac has an impressive fastball, a well-above-average arsenal, and excellent command to go with it all. Despite his age, Zobac is still relatively “young” as a pitcher and the Royals have done well to move his development along quickly. The injury offers some pause, but assuming Zobac can get back on the mound soon, he remains one of the best pitching prospects in the farm system.
10. Kyle DeGroat, RHP
Age: 19 Ht: 6-1 Wt: 195
Acquired: 2024 Amateur Draft, Rd 14, Pick 2
FV: 45
DeGroat was one of the prized late signings by the Royals in last year’s draft. They saved some money and inked the prep arm to sign him away from college commitments. He’s already debuted with impressive results so far in the 2025 Complex League. The stuff is impressive, especially considering his age. DeGroat has a high-spin mid-90s fastball with a plus curveball that also offers great spin. It’s a mid-rotation profile long-term, but a ton of effort in the delivery offers some concern about health long-term for DeGroat. The Royals will need to continue working on the delivery to quiet it some without sacrificing much in regards to spin and “stuff.” He’s a high-ceiling prospect that the team can take their time with.
11. Carson Roccaforte, OF
Age: 23 Ht: 5-11 Wt: 195
Acquired: 2023 Amateur Draft, Rd CB-B, Pick 5
FV: 45
Roccaforte’s floor is perhaps as high as any position prospect in the entire farm system. He’s a double-plus defender in center field with more untapped power potential to uncover. Unfortunately, the hit tool has been extremely limiting once again to open 2025. After a late-season turnaround a year ago, it seems as if Roccaforte still has work to do to improve his contact ability at the plate. He’s lifted the ball extremely well in 2025, posting flyball rates near 50%, culminating in an impressive .211 ISO early on. It’s quickly become a power-over-contact profile. If the hit tool catches up a bit, Roccaforte could quickly move through the system thanks to an MLB-ready glove.
12. Marwys Cabrera, RHP
Age: 19 Ht: 6-4 Wt: 175
Acquired: 2023 International Free Agent (DOM)
FV: 45
Cabrera is a big-framed starter with good strikeout stuff that misses bats. In his first taste of Complex League action this season, Cabrera has showcased improved command to go with a dominant strikeout rate north of 30%. It’s still a raw profile years away from the major leagues, but Cabrera has the tools to become a back-end starter in the big leagues someday. He leans heavily on a fastball with good shape and ride through the zone and pairs it with a plus curveball. The rest of the arsenal continues to be a work in progress but that is to be expected from a raw international arm like Cabrera.
13. Hiro Wyatt, RHP
Age: 20 Ht: 6-1 Wt: 190
Acquired: 2023 Amateur Draft, Rd 3, Pick 5
FV: 45
Wyatt hit the ground running in his 2024 debut, pitching a large portion of the season with Low-A Columbia. As the season progressed, Wyatt made quick strides in his development, improving his changeup while showcasing impressive command despite his relative youth. By the end of the season, the Royals pulled back some on Wyatt’s workload to keep him fresh. He finished the year with a 2.67 ERA in six starts with the Fireflies. Into 2025, the strikeouts have been way up for Wyatt. Although that jump has been impressive, it hasn’t come without challenges. The command will need to get back on track but Wyatt is a high-ceiling, important piece of Kansas City’s future.
14. Blake Wolters, RHP
Age: 20 Ht: 6-4 Wt: 210
Acquired: 2023 Amateur Draft, Rd 2, Pick 5
FV: 45
Wolters drew a large amount of hype when selected in 2023 and the hype only grew after he showcased a strong fastball in instructs shortly after. Some called Wolters’ fastball the “best in the farm system” before his debut last season. Early on, much of that fastball was on display. The Royals were aggressive, sending the teenager directly to Low-A to start the season. His fastball was upper 90s early on but as the season went on, Wolters’ age started to show. The upper 90s fastball backed off to the mid-90s at best as Wolters struggled to maintain strength and velocity. By the end of the year, the Royals sent Wolters back to the backfields in Arizona as a precaution when he was dealing with some forearm discomfort. The command has become an urgent issue into 2025 with strikeouts down. Wolters must improve both to get back on track in his development.
15. José Cerice, 3B
Age: 20 Ht: 6-2 Wt: 192
Acquired: 2024 Amateur Free Agent (CUB)
FV: 40
It was Yandel Ricardo who headlined the class, but José Cerice was a fairly highly touted signing in his own right when he joined the same class a year ago. The 19-year-old hit the ground running, slashing .314/.380/.421 in his Dominican Summer League debut. That strong showing led Cerice to Arizona already in his second season. He’s picked up right where he left off, showcasing a promising power ceiling with above-average contact ability. Cerice rarely walks thanks to his aggressive approach, but he maintains an extremely low strikeout rate while driving the ball well. He’s perhaps the best third base prospect in the entire system.
16. Darwin Rodriguez, RHP
Age: 21 Ht: 6-1 Wt: 175
Acquired: 2022 Amateur Free Agent (VEN)
FV: 40
Rodriguez would’ve been a Dominican League All-Star in 2024 if not for an unfortunate injury late in the season. The leading offering is a solid curveball. It’s a two-plane beauty that generates a healthy amount of swing-and-miss. He pairs it with a fastball in the low-to-mid 90s with good carry through the strike zone. At times, there’s the look of an effective slider as well. Rodriguez is an older prospect for the level, barely debuting stateside despite being already 21 years old. That age limits some of the fastball projectability for Rodriguez who profiles as a back-end starter long-term. The command needs some work, but with elite strikeout numbers, Rodriguez can stand to walk a few batters here and there while remaining effective on the mound.
17. Moises Marchán, C
Age: 17 Ht: 6-1 Wt: 160
Acquired: 2025 International Free Agent (VEN)
FV: 40
Marchán was a headliner in the Royals’ most recent international signing class. Out of Venezuela, he’s extremely athletic for a backstop but some of that athleticism may be limited as he continues to fill out his frame. There are some comparisons to be made with fellow catching prospect, Ramon Ramirez, thanks to Marchán’s advanced contact ability at the plate. Ramirez was two years older at the time of his debut, however, offering a potentially higher-ceiling outcome for Marchán if it all comes together.
18. Austin Charles, 3B
Age: 21 Ht: 6-5 Wt: 215
Acquired: 2022 Amateur Draft, Rd 20, Pick 9
FV: 40
Charles has struggled with injury to open 2025 after making some promising strides forward a season ago with Low-A Columbia. The blazing speed was on display as Charles stole 36 bags in 117 games. His long levers and tall frame help the speed impact the game. That frame continues to offer some projection with more power output to come, but it has yet to truly show itself consistently in-game action. Improvements a season ago in whiff rate and contact ability are promising, but Charles remains an extremely raw, high-ceiling prospect with a long way to go before he’s sniffing the Major Leagues.
19. Warren Calcaño, SS
Age: 17 Ht: 6-2 Wt: 165
Acquired: 2025 Amateur Free Agent (DOM)
FV: 45
Warren Calcaño was the highest-ranking signee in the Royals’ most recent international class, according to some. At still just 17, it’s a lot of projection across the entire profile, but Calcaño has already started to fill out his frame. The glove is the leading tool currently. Calcaño has the look of a true shortstop long-term with good footwork and instincts on the diamond. His plus arm could move him to third base eventually if he can develop enough power as he fills out his frame. A good swing path and smooth mechanics offer plenty of promise offensively as well, but only time will tell just how well-rounded a prospect Calcaño will become in the system.
20. Sthiven Benitez, RHP
Age: 20 Ht: 6-3 Wt: 180
Acquired: 2024 International Free Agent (DOM)
FV: 40
Benitez was an older international prospect when he signed a year ago, but his stuff was extremely advanced for a first-year professional. Although he only struck out 18.7% of batters in his DSL debut, Benitez has a great feel for spin and shape. The arsenal includes a mid-90s fastball with a slider and curveball rounding out the arsenal. The four-seam fastball flirts with 20 inches of induced vertical break at times, but consistency will need to come in time. Much of the projection remaining for Benitez includes his relatively raw nature despite his age. If the Royals can continue building upon the strong fastball foundation and round out the rest of the arsenal, Benitez could be a high-leverage bullpen option or swing-starter at the big league level.
21. Henry Williams, RHP
Age: 23 Ht: 6-5 Wt: 200
Acquired: Via Trade with SD (Scott Barlow)
FV: 40
It took some time for Henry Williams to work his way back from Tommy John Surgery. Now that he has, it looks as if the Royals have the 2022 third-rounder operating on all cylinders. Williams has posted an improved walk rate in every season since joining the organization. It’s down to just 5.3% in eight starts so far in 2025. Those improvements in command have come without any real sacrifice when it comes to strikeout ability. Williams doesn’t blow anyone away with his arsenal and swing-and-miss ability, but improved command could help him develop into a solid back-end rotation piece or Daniel Lynch-esque bullpen piece.
22. Hunter Owen, LHP
Age: 23 Ht: 6-6 Wt: 261
Acquired: 2023 Amateur Draft, Rd 4, Pick 5
FV: 40
Owen wasn’t as healthy as you’d like to see after being selected in 2023. The organization took him along slowly, allowing him to put together a full 102 innings of work in 2024 with High-A Quad Cities. The results were mediocre for a college arm: 18.9% K%, 7.5% BB%, and a 4.16 FIP. In 2025, the strikeouts have trended up to 24.5%. That number is more of what was expected when Owen was selected out of Vanderbilt. He employs a mid-90s fastball with two solid breaking balls and a changeup. As the strikeouts have trended up, so too have the walks. Owen remains a work in progress that could very well end up in a bullpen. If he does, there’s a chance the stuff plays up even further offering a better upside than back-end swing-starter type.
23. Felix Arronde, RHP
Age: 22 Ht: 6-3 Wt: 185
Acquired: 2021 Amateur Free Agent (CUB)
FV: 40
Once more of a relief arm in the low-minors, Arronde made the move to the starting rotation for Columbia in 2024 and looked fantastic. He put together 110.1 innings of work, pitching to a strong 2.94 ERA. The arsenal is led by a mid-90s fastball. It’s a full four-pitch mix also featuring a curveball, slider, and changeup. As Arronde has moved to more of a starter’s workload, the strikeout stuff has backed off some, dropping six percent from 2023 to 2024. The walks remain high in context with the strikeout totals, but Arronde does a good job of limiting hard contact and holding opponents to a low average. He’s a back-end rotation prospect long-term with little projection remaining.
24. Ramon Ramirez, C
Age: 19 Ht: 6-0 Wt: 180
Acquired: 2023 Amateur Free Agent (VEN)
FV: 45
Ramon Ramirez burst onto the scene in his first season as a professional. He slashed .344/.440/.615 in the Dominican Summer League. The power was apparent, but beyond that, Ramirez also showcased an advanced approach with more walks than strikeouts. He made his way to the Complex League last season, followed by Low-A Columbia this season. The power remains a huge part of his game, leading the Carolina League in home runs through his first 39 games. The strikeouts have trended upward, causing some pause, but from such a young product it’s difficult to ask for much more from Ramirez to this point. Defensively, he’s looked the part behind the dish but a move to first base is probably in the cards for Ramirez long-term. Should he stick as a backstop long-term while maintaining his current offensive output, Ramirez will only rise further as a prospect.
25. Frank Mozzicato, LHP
Age: 21 Ht: 6-3 Wt: 175
Acquired: 2021 Amateur Draft, Rd 1, Pick 7
FV: 45
Mozzicato has steadily fallen down the Royals’ top prospect list since his debut in 2022. For a time, there was hope the velocity would come along to help boost the profile. Despite that, by the end of 2024, Mozzicato had seen no jump in velocity. He also failed to improve his walk rate by any noticeable mark. Mozzicato’s 3.45 ERA in 2024 was overshadowed by a 4.72 FIP and a 10% dip in strikeout rate from the year prior. Then, at the 2025 Spring Breakout things changed for Mozziato. He displayed improved fastball velocity, topping out at 94 mph with elite shape. Those improvements put Mozzicato back on the map to some degree, but he’s struggled to maintain the added velocity over a larger sample. The strikeout numbers have come back some in 2025, but they’ve returned with continued trouble with command. Mozzicato maintains an extremely low opponents average, offering continued hope that he can put it all together and become a big league starting pitcher.
26. Javier Vaz, 2B
Age: 24 Ht: 5-7 Wt: 151
Acquired: 2022 Amateur Draft, Rd 15, Pick 9
FV: 40
Javier Vaz has already taken the unlikely path forward as a professional, moving from an undersized late-round pick to a consensus Top 30 prospect in the farm system. Much of that profile was headlined by elite contact skills and a potentially 80-grade hit tool. The contact ability and speed are a strong foundation that Vaz continues to build upon. At one point, it looked as if additional power output was coming along, but that’s cooled off to a degree of late. Vaz finished 17% better than the league average at Double-A in 2024 but suffered three broken fingers in the spring of 2025. The injury sidelined him for the start of the season. Since returning from the injured list, Vaz has struggled to get the bat going but has maintained his signature contact ability and patience at the plate.
27. Ben Kudrna, RHP
Age: 22 Ht: 6-3 Wt: 175
Acquired: 2021 Amateur Draft, Rd 2, Pick 7
FV: 40
Ben Kudrna has long been a top prospect for Kansas City. He appeared in The Futures Game for Kansas City in 2024 but has struggled on the mound ever since earning a promotion to Double-A. Now 18 starts in with the Naturals across two seasons, Kudrna owns an ERA well above five. He continues to generate a healthy amount of swing-and-miss, led mostly thanks to his above-average changeup and good slider. Despite the swing-and-miss, Kudrna struggles to limit hard contact. Opposing hitters continually tee off on him. Kudrna simply doesn’t strike out enough batters or limit walks enough to find success despite allowing so much contact. The root cause remains a below-average fastball with a mediocre shape that makes the pitch play down despite mid-90s velocity.
28. Emmanuel Reyes, RHP
Age: 21 Ht: 6-0 Wt: 180
Acquired: 2022 Amateur Free Agent (DOM)
FV: 40
2024 was a huge success for Reyes in a couple of key areas. Most of all, he was able to top 100 innings and maintain his velocity throughout the full season. Reyes was throwing 93-94mph with his fastball late into the year. Just a season prior he had tapered off to the high-80s by the time fall came around. Behind the fastball, Reyes commands a two-plane slider and an effective changeup alongside above-average command of the strike zone. There are concerns that the fastball won’t add much more velocity, but even without it the shape and movement that Reyes generates make it an above-average offering. Rounding out the secondaries will be crucial to his continued development. Without it, Reyes simply doesn’t generate enough strikeouts to profile as anything more than a back-end, sixth-starter type in the Major Leagues. He’s started 2025 in Arizona working with the team after entering the spring behind on his buildup. There’s a chance he will finally make his 2025 debut by midseason.
29. Ryan Ramsey, RHP
Age: 24 Ht: 6-0 Wt: 195
Acquired: 2022 Amateur Draft, Rd 13, Pick 9
FV: 40
Ramsey has flown under the radar as a prospect since joining the system as a late-round flyer out of Maryland in 2022. He went to Low-A to open the 2023 season, working through injury but setting the Columbia franchise record for consecutive scoreless innings. At High-A in 2024 the results were again stellar. Ramsey allowed one of the lowest zone contact rates in the entire minor leagues, limiting hard contact to the lowest mark among starters in the Royals farm system. In the upper minors, Ramsey has run into more trouble with his arsenal missing bats. His ERA has risen with strikeouts dipping. Despite that, Ramsey’s ability to limit contact he profiles as a promising swing-starter type that could find success at the big league level despite shortcomings in the arsenal.
30. Gavin Cross, OF
Age: 24 Ht: 6-2 Wt: 210
Acquired: 2022 Amateur Draft, Rd 1, Pick 9
FV: 40
The narrative has changed substantially for Cross after being picked ninth overall in 2022. He hit the ground running in his debut but struggled at High-A before dealing with illness. Then, in 2024 Cross continued to struggle, this time with back spasms that sent him to the injured list. Cross’ raw power has flashed plus at times, but an extremely below-average hit tool limits how much Cross can access that raw power in-game. At this point, he’s become a glove-first prospect with a strong arm and more speed than was once expected to play into his game. His large frame and swing mechanics continue to be limited by back issues that make it difficult for Cross to swing consistently and find his stride. The best case for Cross may very well be one day reaching the big leagues as a fourth outfielder. Time is running out for Cross to finally reach his potential.
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