In the pulsating world of the Midwest’s cherished summer game, minor league baseball, where raw talent and ambition are refined like gold in a forge, rises Kale Emshoff. This Calallen High School graduate and Arkansas-Little Rock alumnus embodies the very essence of baseball’s relentless spirit: unwavering grit, refined skill, and patience. As a catcher, DH, and first baseman, he’s more than just a player—he’s a Swiss Army knife on the field. Last season, with the Quad City River Bandits, his patience paid off as he was sent into Triple-A’s high-stakes arena for the final five games of the season. He bypassed Double-A entirely. In our third part of this series, Emshoff unpacks his journey through High-A baseball — navigating transitions and tackling the challenges that sculpt a minor leaguer aspiring for more.
An interview with Royals minor leaguer, Kale Emshoff
Sean Hackett (Farm to Fountains): You were recently on a podcast and mentioned that you chose Arkansas-Little Rock over Grand Canyon University after a coach said that if you wanted to make it to the big leagues then Arkansas-Little Rock was the place to be. What changes did they offer to your routine and overall game to turn that promise into a reality?
Kale Emshoff: Choosing Little Rock was an easy decision after I met my soon-to-be head coach Chris Curry. He told me he was going to push me hard and make me one of the best ball players and an even better man!
Hackett: Outside of the off-the-field stuff, how was the transition from College to Low-A different than the transition from Low-A to High-A?
Emshoff: Transitioning from college to Low-A was a difficult one in the sense that it was every single day and college was a few games in the week. It took some getting used to and that was the hard part.
Hackett: Playing catcher involves a larger time commitment than other positions, how does training with the pitchers in High-A (where you’re likely to face some of the best pitchers from college baseball from the previous season) prepare you when you enter the lineup?
Emshoff: Coming from a college program that took serious pride in catching, I learned that I need to take control of the pitching side of things within reason. And from the offensive side you know you are probably going to face one of the best pitchers from whatever college that he went to. So you have to be prepared for that.
Hackett: What role does Analytics play in High A compared to Low A? Do you feel like you have more freedom to experiment with your technique now compared to Low A or College or does the promotion within the farm system require more guidance/directions from the staff?
Emshoff: The analytics side of things are very similar in both levels. The freedom definitely comes as you move up but it can also take a toll because everything is up to you. To work on your craft, training, and [manage the] mental game. It’s all on you. Obviously, you can get the help if need be but you have to be willing to do the work.
Hackett: As a professional athlete there’s the journey to be competitive and win every challenge you face. Then, there’s the journey of patience where even playing at an extremely high level doesn’t equate to being promoted to the next level right away due to other factors. Is there a technique that you’ve developed to balance the two?
Emshoff: Obviously we want to compete at the highest level and win every day but you have to be real with yourself. That’s probably not possible. Things are going to go sideways sooner or later. It’s the ones that can stay calm and patient that can move forward.
Hackett: When you were in Quad Cities did you pick up on any new routines from other players? What advice do you have for a player entering Columbia this season as they prepare for Quad Cities?
Emshoff: Not to over work yourself. Especially with that level of baseball, you have to remember it’s a marathon, and not a sprint. Take things lightly and just enjoy the process as much as you can no matter the place. [For new players], stay positive when things go sideways. You are there for a reason and hard work will always be the answer to your problems.
Although he’s made it to the minors, the path wasn’t a normal one for Emshoff
Emshoff went undrafted following the shortened 2020 MLB Draft. That draft, if you remember, was shortened to just five rounds amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Had the draft been a normal length — or had the NCAA season been a bit more normal — then Emshoff would’ve certainly been drafted. Following his signing, his coach, Chris Curry, at Little Rock had glowing reviews of the former Trojan backstop.
“We’ll say his name around this program for years and years to come. One of the biggest disappointments for me is that Kale never got to have what should have been his farewell season, and it very well could have been the greatest season that never was. Kale means a lot to me and to this program and I’m excited for him, knowing how hard he worked and the sacrifices he made.”
Emshoff had an impressive sophomore campaign for Arkansas-Little Rock. Over 56 games, he slashed .273/.377/.415. That season, he showcased a solid approach at the plate, walking 11.7% of the time and striking out just below average, at 21.7%. Sadly, the 2019 season would be a lost one for Emshoff. He suffered an injury in fall workouts that would eventually require him to undergo Tommy John Surgery. Then, with the pandemic, he was only able to appear in 17 games during his final college season.
Over those 17 games, he was one of the best players in the country. Emshoff slashed .417/.527/.800 for the Trojans with seven home runs, 14 walks, and 11 home runs. That showing put him on the national stage and eventually led the Royals to sign him post-draft. Had he undergone a more traditional path to the draft, Emshoff could’ve cemented his place as one of the better-catching prospects in the entire class.
Since joining the Royals’ farm system, Emshoff has been a steady contributor at a premium position
The offensive numbers haven’t always been flashy, but make no mistake: Emshoff has all the tools to be a real prospect in the system. He’s certainly among the most underrated. At each level thus far, he’s posted a wRC+ of 90 or above. That includes a stellar Low-A debut that saw Emshoff slash .272/.380/.505 with 10 home runs over 55 games. The strikeouts have been the thorn in his side for much of his minor league career, but that changed in 2023.
Emshoff cut his strikeout rate from 35.7% in 2022 to 25.8% in 2023. He hit double-digit home runs once again — something he’s done in all three MiLB seasons thus far. That steady offensive production has all happened while Emshoff has put in time at a premium position. The time has been split between catcher, first base, and designated hitter. However, he’s put together more than 1,000 innings behind the plate thus far.
That mix of steady offensive production and ability behind the plate could make Emshoff a key piece of the Royals’ depth moving forward. The tools are certainly there for him to raise his stock should 2024 be another step forward for him at the plate. He’ll turn 26 in May, but despite his age and abnormal path to the pros so far, Emshoff has all the talent to make a major league impact sooner rather than later.