KANSAS CITY -- The Royals used the Trade Deadline last month to add pieces to their current roster for both now and the future while not mortgaging their farm system, only trading away one Top 30 prospect in Single-A pitcher Yunior Marte, who ranked No. 20 on the Royals’ list at the time.
And the 2025 MLB Draft earlier in July allowed the Royals to add to their pipeline with new prospects at different levels, some high-upside hitters, such as their first two picks in Sean Gamble and Josh Hammond, along with some intriguing college pitchers who could move quickly, like Michael Lombardi and Justin Lamkin.
COMPLETE ROYALS PROSPECT COVERAGE
- Royals Top 30 prospects
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With all that in mind, MLB Pipeline did its in-season re-rank of each team’s Top 30 list, taking into account players teams have added through trades and the Draft, new evaluations from each level and a little bit of performance, too, as the 2025 season is already nearing a close.
The Royals’ list changed a bit at the top, mainly because their preseason No. 1, Jac Caglianone, graduated from prospect status after he made his big league debut in June.
Here’s a look at the Royals top prospects:
1. Blake Mitchell, C (No. 49 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100)
2. Carter Jensen, C (No. 70)
3. Sean Gamble, 2B/OF
4. Josh Hammond, SS
5. Yandel Ricardo, SS
Complete Top 30 list »
Biggest jump/fall
Here are the players whose ranks changed the most from the preseason list:
Jump: Kendry Chourio, RHP (Preseason: Not ranked | Midseason: No. 8)
The 17-year-old who signed with the Royals out of Venezuela in January has shot up the rankings as quickly as he’s risen through the farm system. Chourio was part of Kansas City’s 2025 international signing class, players we typically don’t see in the States for a few years. But Chourio logged just five games in the Dominican Summer League before the Royals deemed him ready for Rookie ball. He logged three games in Arizona before that season ended and then made his way to Single-A Columbia, where he has made two starts. Here’s where Chourio will settle in and finish the season. The young right-hander has electric stuff combined with pitchability, making him more advanced for his age. It’s got Royals officials -- and outside evaluators -- excited.
Fall: Gavin Cross, OF (Preseason: No. 6 | Midseason: No. 23)
The No. 9 overall pick in the 2022 Draft, Cross went back to Double-A Northwest Arkansas this year in hopes of beating the level and getting a call to Triple-A. It hasn’t happened yet, with Cross slashing .219/.269/.358 with 11 home runs, a 26.6% strikeout rate and just a 6.6% walk rate. It’s certainly not time to give up on Cross yet, as there is still raw power he could tap into and figure things out enough to help the Royals in Kansas City as a fourth outfielder. He’s also continued to be a strong defender in all three outfield spots. But Cross has taken a step back from 2024 and continues to deal with the back injuries that have caused him to miss time each season.
New to the list
Here are the players added to the Top 30 from outside the organization:
No. 3: Gamble, 2B/OF (2025 Draft – No. 23 overall)
No. 4: Hammond, SS (Draft – No. 28 overall)
No. 15: Michael Lombardi, RHP (Draft – second round)
No. 29: Justin Lamkin, LHP (Draft – Competitive Balance B)
No. 30: Cameron Millar, RHP (Draft – third round)
Best tools
Players are graded on a 20-80 scouting scale for future tools -- 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average and 70-80 is well above average. Players in parentheses have the same grade.
Hit: 55 – Gamble
Power: 60 – Mitchell
Run: 60 – Asbel Gonzalez (Gamble, Carson Roccaforte, Javier Vaz, Moises Marchán)
Arm: 70 – Mitchell
Defense: 65 – Roccaforte
Fastball: 60 – Chourio (Lombardi)
Curveball: 65 – Lombardi
Slider: 60 – Hiro Wyatt
Changeup: 60 – Felix Arronde
Control: 60 – Chourio