Farm to Fountains: Weekly Royals News Roundup

Here are the latest happenings in Royals news from last week!

The biggest news is Preston and the guys at KC: Chase the Pennant sat down with Royals pitching prospect Noah Cameron last week. Check out the full interview here.

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ROYALS NEWS

The Royals give superstar Bobby Witt, Jr. a $288.7 million extension: “Today is the best day in Royals baseball since they won the World Series in 2015. On Monday, the Kansas City Royals and Bobby Witt Jr. agreed to an 11-year contract extension, guaranteed to be worth $288.7 million. Ladies and Gentlemen, we got him. The Kansas City phenom is here for the future!”

The Royals signed a number of players to pre-arbitration deals: “We have agreed to terms on 2024 contracts with the following players: RHP Jonathan Bowlan, RHP Steven Cruz, LHP Cole Ragans, LHP Anthony Veneziano, LHP Angel Zerpa, OF Nelson Velázquez, OF Drew Waters, C Freddy Fermin, INF Nick Loftin”

ROYALS ANALYSIS

Alvin Garcia gives a detailed analysis of how the 2024 Royals’ rotation could potentially be poised to secure a significant divisional victory: “The collective performance data of Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, Cole Ragans, Brady Singer, and Jordan Lyles against AL Central teams underscores the potential strength of the 2024 Royals rotation. With solid strikeout rates, low opposing batting averages, and indications of effectiveness in various aspects of pitching, these pitchers could play a pivotal role in securing the Royals’ victory in the division. “

Kevin O’Brien looks at why projections are underrating Michael Wacha: “However, it wouldn’t be surprising to me to see Wacha pushing that 3.0 fWAR or by slightly above by season’s end, even if he is only able to pitch 135-145 innings this year. The stuff and mix can (and honestly, should) still be as good in 2024 as they were last year in San Diego.”

Jacob Milham takes a look at three possible trade candidates that could transform the Royals roster in 2024: “The Royals addressed some lower-level roster needs with cheaper free-agent moves while investing heavily into their starting rotation. There is no need for Kansas City to add more players to the fold, unless they know a player will be an immediate boost. Any such trade will move notable players off the Royals roster, but the return will only add more talent and more optimism to Kansas City’s 2024 roster.”

FARM SYSTEM

Preston Farr drops the Farm to Fountains Royals Top 70 prospects: “There are a ton of young prep prospects that were highly drafted. Mozzicato, Ben Kudrna, Blake Mitchell, Blake Wolters, Carter Jensen, and Hiro Wyatt are all 20 years old or younger and could raise their prospect status greatly with just one strong season in 2024. Others, such as Emmanuel Reyes, Luinder Avila, and Ramon Ramirez have added depth to the system as strong international signings. The system is deep but lacks a ceiling. Kansas City is hoping that some of that ceiling will show itself in 2024.”

Zac Miller dives into underrated Royals prospects for 2024: “There are currently players in the Royals’ farm system that will surprise all of us when their time comes, and I aim to shine a light on who some of those players may be. These underrated prospects may have been rated higher at one point in time. Below, I list one position player and pitcher for each affiliate.”

Bill Mitchell of Baseball America sits down with Royals top prospect Blake Mitchell: “Drafting a high school catcher in the first round is generally considered a risk because of the high attrition rate at the position. Blake Mitchell is determined to overcome those odds. The Royals drafted the powerful, lefthanded-hitting catcher eighth overall last year out of Sinton (Texas) High. They believe Mitchell has what it takes to exceed expectations.”

Zac Miller takes a look at where the Royals pitching prospects will end up: “I still believe that players like Daniel Lynch IV, Angel Zerpa, Alec Marsh, and Kris Bubic (when he recovers from Tommy John surgery), will get opportunities to contribute to the big-league team either in the starting rotation or in the bullpen, though they may all start the year in Omaha. It feels like a luxury to have more depth than this starting rotation has had in a handful of years. This begs the question: How does this increased depth at the top of the organization affect the top arms in the Royals’ farm system?”