The 2024 MLB trade deadline is officially next month, meaning it isn’t too early to start talking about who should (and shouldn’t) be traded. The Royals project to be “buyers” heading toward the July 30th deadline, with most experts expecting the team to acquire talent to help them build on their strong start to the season. While a flurry of activity generally happens the few days leading up to the deadline, the new Royals front office has shown that they are not afraid to get out ahead of the frenzy. Last June 30th, well before the August 1st trade deadline, the Royals made a trade with the Texas Rangers to acquire Cole Ragans and Roni Cabrera for Aroldis Chapman. The move has paid dividends so far, as Cole Ragans has exceeded all expectations and become a mainstay at the front end of the Royals’ rotation.
The downside of being a “buyer” at the trade deadline is that the organization will have to part ways with some highly touted prospects. It can be an emotional experience for fans who have followed a prospect over the years and dreamed of what their contribution to the major league squad might look like one day, only to see them sent to another team in the blink of an eye. While there are no prospects that I want to see move on to another organization, there are a few that I would strongly advise the Royals to hang on to no matter the asking price.
Who are the prospects and how are they performing?
1. Blake Mitchell (C) – Royals’ No. 1 prospect
2024 season stats: .256/.384/.461, .845 OPS, 8 HR, 25 RBI, 14 SB, 146 wRC+
Mitchell has already turned heads on numerous occasions this season, including a ridiculous 475 ft. home run on May 30th. The No. 8 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft has gotten off to a solid start in Low-A Columbia this season, showcasing his power profile, on-base ability, and defensive prowess behind the plate. He has plenty of projectable tools for a player only 19 years-old, and I would be shocked if the Royals didn’t allow him to develop those tools in their organization. I mean, did you see Royals’ Scouting Director Danny Ontiveros’ quote about Mitchell reminding him of Bryce Harper? The Royals won’t be shipping Mitchell anywhere anytime soon…and shouldn’t.
2. Gavin Cross (OF) – Royals’ No. 7 prospect
2024 season stats: .287/.372/.443, .814 OPS, 5 HR, 26 RBI, 13 SB, 127 wRC+
If you had asked me two months ago, I wouldn’t have had much of an issue with the Royals trading Cross this season. He was coming off a terrible 2023 season (while battling a significant illness) and had a slow start in April. It wouldn’t surprise me if other teams were willing to take a chance on Cross, given his proven college profile and great 2022 showing in Low-A Columbia. But that was two months ago, and quite a bit has changed since. Cross had a fantastic month of May and made many of us believers once again. During that month we saw him return to 2022 form and then some, slashing .333/.412/.556 with 14 walks and 12 steals.
It also helps Cross’ case that the Royals’ outfield currently holds a .621 OPS as a unit, good for 28th in baseball. There has been an overall lack of consistency for the organization’s outfielders at the major league and AAA levels. Cross was considered a proven and well-seasoned college bat when drafted and was expected to have a quicker path to the majors. If Cross can continue to produce when he inevitably gets promoted to Omaha, there is no reason why we shouldn’t see him as the Royals’ 2025 opening-day right fielder.
3. Carter Jensen (C) – Royals’ No. 10 prospect
2024 season stats: .287/.413/.464, .877 OPS, 6 HR, 25 RBI, 12 SB, 148 wRC+
Jensen is having a breakout campaign in his third full season in professional baseball. The almost 21-year-old has taken major strides at the plate this season. He is easily outperforming his career .235 avg, something we all expected to happen with more experience. Jensen has always had an advanced plate approach for his age, but he has taken it to another level this season, boasting a 0.94 BB/K that has led to his ridiculous .413 OBP. As he begins to just scratch the surface of his potential in his age-21 season, I find it hard to believe that the Royals will part ways with him this year.
Although he has spent time exclusively at catcher and DH in his minor league career, it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Royals transition him to a corner outfield spot as he makes his way to the upper levels of the minors. I wrote before the season that if he could get his batting average above .240 this year, he would be in consideration for a top-100 prospect in all of baseball. He has blown that number out of the water, and it is only a matter of time until he gets the recognition he deserves.
Image credit: Mark J. Rebilas/ USA TODAY Sports