Ben Kudrna’s development through the minor leagues has been steady, if slow. He made noticeable improvements from 2022 to 2023 in his walk rate and ability to miss bats. He creates a ton of swing and misses — some of the very best in the entire minor leagues last season.

Season Stats:

2022 (Low-A): 17 GS, 72.1 IP, 3.48 ERA, 4.29 FIP, 19.6% K%, 10.3% BB%

2023 (Low-A): 13 GS, 68.1 IP, 3.56 ERA, 4.30 FIP, 24.1% K%, 10.3% BB%

2023 (High-A): 8 GS, 40.1 IP, 5.36 ERA, 5.27 FIP, 19.2% K%, 8.5% BB%

Much like Frank Mozzicato from the same draft class, Ben Kudrna is a very young and raw pitching prospect. He’s still just 20 years old and the Royals have been somewhat conservative moving him through the system. Kudrna didn’t pitch in affiliated ball at all after being drafted in 2021 and then debuted each of the next two seasons for the Low-A Columbia Fireflies. The ERA and FIP numbers don’t jump off the page for Kudrna, but he does create a great amount of swing-and-miss from opposing batters.

His walk rate has improved since entering the system. The most interesting piece of Kudrna’s game on the mound is the lack of strikeouts. He struck out 8.61 batters per nine innings last season. That mark alone isn’t terrible, but it also isn’t elite and what you’d expect to see from a future frontline starter. What makes it confusing is how that low SO/9 conflicts with Kudrna’s very high swinging strike rate. In 2023, he ranked 5th in the system in swinging strike rate (15.0%) behind just John McMillon, Alec Marsh, Emmanuel Reyes, and Yefri del Rosario. If Kudrna can develop a true out pitch, he’s a name that could skyrocket up prospect rankings.

Scouting Grades:

Fastball: 45/60

Slider: 50/60

Changeup: 50/55

Command: 50/55

Best Case Scenario:

The best-case scenario for Ben Kudrna is a mid-rotation starter in the major leagues. His fastball has been up to 97 mph and his changeup and slider both have the potential to become above-average pitches. Somewhere around the Chris Archer realm is certainly a possibility for Kudrna, although it will require him to develop a true out pitch. Right now, Kudrna creates a great amount of swing-and-miss but hasn’t quite been able to translate that into elite strikeout numbers. If he can make that connection, the path is there for him to become a very good number-three starter in a big league rotation.

Worst Case Scenario:

The worst case for Kudrna is a move to the bullpen. His stuff is far too good for him to fall entirely off the radar, and he’s shown an ability to stay healthy to this point in his professional career. His fastball is already mid 90s as a starter. If shortened to single-inning relief outings, that velocity could probably reach the upper-90s. Pair that velocity with a wipeout slider and good changeup and it’s easy to see a reliever floor for Kudrna.