The Kansas City Royals last had a winning record when they won it all in 2015 (95-67), and have as many 100-loss seasons as 80-win campaigns during that time frame.
The Royals are rebuilding around pitching and Bobby Witt Jr., and their farm system will play a large role in the if/when factor.
Ages as of July 1, 2023
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 1 | 22 | Gavin Cross | OF | 50 |
Cross is a corner glove with a centerfielder’s power, but could land somewhere in between in all areas, giving the Royals an everyday player with lineup versatility.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 2 | 20 | Ben Kudrna | RHP | 50 |
It’s a fastball-slider-changeup arsenal for Kudrna, with the former and the latter standing out the most, suggesting a mid-rotatipn ceiling if he throws more strikes.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 3 | 21 | Maikel Garcia | SS | 50 |
Garcia projects to hit for average and stick at shortstop long-term, and is essentially big-league ready after making his debut last season.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 4 | 20 | Frank Mozzicato | LHP | 45 |
He might have twp plus breakers set up by an above-average fastball and changeup by the time he reaches the upper minors, but control and command are alert after he walked nearly 17% of the batters he faced in 69 innings last season.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 5 | 21 | Cayden Wallace | 3B | 45 |
There’s power to go get, a swing to buy into, and a chance to be average defensively for the Royals’ 2022 second-round pick.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 6 | 24 | Nick Loftin | SS | 45 |
Loftin’s opportunities may come in autiluty role with some outfield involved, and his calling card is hitting for average and getting on base.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 7 | 24 | Tyler Gentry | OF | 45 |
Gentry offers a little bit of everything from above-average speed and defense to projectable raw power and a chance to hit enough to produce as a strongside platoon bat.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 8 | 25 | Alec Marsh | RHP | 45 |
Marsh is into the mid-90s and offers three polished offspeed pitches, including a plus curveball.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 9 | 24 | Asa Lacy | LHP | 45 |
Lacy’s raw stuff borders on elite, but it’s 30-grade command, he battled injury in 2022, and could end up in the pen if both remain issues.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 10 | 23 | Beck Way | RHP | 45 |
IIt’s a eorkable fastball-slider-changeup combo if Way takes another step toward average control and command as he moves beyond High-A into the upper minors.
[ninja_tables id=”19900″]
Rankings, OFPs by Joe Doyle.
Player notes by Jason A. Churchill.
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