The next wave of talent in the Kansas City Royals pipeline is ready to take the field.
While the Omaha Storm Chasers have already gotten underway, the rest of the organization’s minor league clubs open their seasons Thursday with freshly announced rosters loaded with intriguing prospects and familiar big league names.
The Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers will feature an experienced and talented pitching staff with arms that contributed to the Royals last season, including Luinder Avila, Ryan Bergert, and Steven
Cruz. Mason Black, Eli Morgan, Aaron Sanchez, and Mitch Spence all have MLB experience, as does Jose Cuas, who pitched for the Royals from 2022-23. Top pitching prospect Ben Kudrna is also on the pitching staff, as is lefty Helcris Olivárez, who impressed in spring training. The lineup will feature former first-round pick Gavin Cross, who came on strong at the end of the year. John Rave contributed to the Royals last season, and Kameron Misner is a former Mizzou star who has spent time in the big leagues with the Rays. Elias Díaz, Brandon Drury, Connor Kaiser, Kevin Newman, Josh Rojas, and Abraham Toro all have MLB experience as well. The Royals also recently outrighted Drew Waters to the roster in Omaha.
The Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals feature former first-round pick Frank Mozzicato and hard-throwing reliever Dennis Colleran Jr. on their pitching staff. Felix Arronde, Drew Beam, Hunter Owen, and Hunter Patteson are other pitchers to keep an eye on. Carson Roccaforte is a top hitting prospect in the outfield, and slick-fielding shortstop Daniel Vazquez impressed in the Arizona Fall League last year. Speedsters Connor Scott and Rudy Martin and slugger Brett Squires will also be in the lineup..
Top catching prospects Blake Mitchell and Ramon Ramirez will lead the High-A Quad Cities River Bandits at the plate. Speedster Asbel Gonzalez, who stole 78 bases last year, will patrol the outfield. Other names to know include infielders Austin Charles and Trevor Werner, and outfielder Nolan Sailors. The pitching staff will be anchored by left-hander David Shields, one of the top prospects in the system. Justin Lamkin, a second-round pick in last summer’s draft, will also join the pitching staff along with Josh Hansell and LP Langevin.
The Low-A Columbia Fireflies are led by top pitching prospect Kendry Chourio, who was ranked as the #82 prospect in baseball by Baseball America. Joining him on the pitching staff are Kyle DeGroat, Michael Lombardi, Darwin Rodriguez, Blake Wolters, and Hiro Wyatt. The lineup features Sean Gamble, who was the 23rd overall pick in last year’s draft, and shortstop Yandel Ricardo, one of the prospects from the 2024 international signing class.
The Arizona Complex League and Dominican Summer League teams will begin play later this summer.
The Royals did release some players in the last few weeks, including catcher Kyle Hayes, infielder Brennon McNair, outfielders Tyler Gentry and Milo Rushford, and pitchers Hector Neris, Chandler Champlain, Jonathan Heasley, Yenfri Sosa, Fraynel Nova, Jesus Rios, Juan Martinez, and Mack Anglin. Infielder Javi Vaz, pitchers John Means, Tyson Guerrero, Anthony Simonelli, and Asa Lacy were placed on the 60-day IL. Veteran catcher Luke Maile officially signed and went to extended spring training. And third baseman Sam Ruta, a West Point graduate, was placed on military leave.
