Kansas City Royals Top 15 Prospects: #11-15

We continue our dive into the Royals top 15 prospects with 11-15.

With the offseason in full swing and the Royals looking at ways to build off of a strong 2024, it is a great time to pull together the Kansas City Royals’ top 25 prospect list. Last year, many considered the Royals’ farm system to be one of the weakest in all of baseball due to both graduations and difficulties in drafting and developing players.

Some positive steps forward have the Royals moving in the right direction this year. Specifically, 2022 first-rounder Gavin Cross has made positive strides and the Royals found success with a strong 2024 draft where they brought in the likes of Jac Caglianone, Drew Beam, and David Shields. The new regime truly showed its colors in that draft, and there could be some bright signs for the future of this farm system. While the farm system is far from perfect and stacked like the early 2010s, it is loaded with depth and headlined by three prospects who find their way into top 100 lists across the prospect world (Jac Caglianone, Blake Mitchell, and Ramon Ramirez).

The rankings will be split into five articles:

1. Honorable Mentions
2. 11-15
3. 6-10
4. 1-5
5. Summary of the Whole System

Drew Beam enters the Royals organization as one of the most polished and dependable college arms from the 2024 Draft, poised for a quick rise to the majors. Overcoming early career setbacks, including the pandemic and elbow surgery, Beam excelled at Tennessee, earning SEC Freshman of the Year honors in 2022 and contributing to the Volunteers’ 2024 College World Series championship. The 6-foot-4 right-hander features a well-rounded repertoire, including a 93-95 mph fastball (topping at 98) with a downhill plane, a sharp but inconsistent low-80s curveball, a mid-80s changeup effective against lefties, and an upper-80s cutter. Known for his smooth delivery, precise command, and ability to induce ground balls, Beam limits damage with poise and durability, projecting as a reliable back-end starter with the potential to grow as his secondary pitches refine.

Steven Zobac has quickly emerged as one of the Royals’ most exciting pitching prospects, making significant strides during the 2024 season. A former two-way standout at Cal, Zobac transitioned to full-time pitching in his junior year, leading to his selection in the fourth round of the 2022 MLB Draft. In 25 appearances between High-A and Double-A, he posted a 3.64 ERA, with improved performance in Northwest Arkansas, striking out 65 over 55.1 innings while issuing just 14 walks. His success stems from elite command and a refined three-pitch arsenal, headlined by a 93-95 mph fastball with high spin and excellent location, a slider that developed into a reliable two-plane breaking ball, and a changeup with potential against left-handers. With a smooth delivery and advanced feel for pitching, Zobac projects as a starter if he can sustain his repertoire in longer outings or as a high-leverage bullpen option with his fastball-slider combo, positioning him for a clear path to the majors.

While I feel I am being slightly too low on Arronde as he could be a rapid riser up the Royals prospect ranking lists, this seems like a good spot for him now. The jump in development he’s made from when he was signed to his 2024 dominance is quite impressive. With one plus pitch and a fastball near plus, it gives him two dominant weapons. The slider rounds out his arsenal, and it has come a long way from previous years. His change-up (more of a splitter) is his best pitch, with a ton of tumble and fade. It plays well off his fastball. His fastball has also become an absolute weapon for him with the increase in velocity. It allows his secondaries to become a lot more effective. His slider isn’t the best, but it has tons of late bite to it and is a weapon he can use to generate some swing-and-miss. It has the potential to be an average pitch but flashes average right now. Only 21, Arronde has a chance to take some significant steps in his development in High-A next year, and he will be a name to watch for the Royals.

Gonzalez is an athletic and toolsy outfielder who the Royals were able to sign for $157,500 in the 2023 international signing period. He spent most of his time in rookie ball, but for some reason, the Royals promoted him to Double-A at the end of the year to get a few games in. He’s got tons of speed and is a good route runner, giving you the sense he can stick in centerfield long-term. At the plate, there are some concerns about Gonzalez’s bat. He’s got a good approach for his age as he can draw walks and get on base but he doesn’t make a ton of hard contact. He’ll need to adjust to hit the ball harder and build some strength to tap into more power. He’s only almost 19 so there is plenty of room left for growth to raise his ceiling as a player. He likely starts next year in Low-A, and he will be one to watch to see what steps he takes in his development. Right now, he’s likely a fourth-outfield type.

Wyatt made significant strides in 2024, showcasing the potential that led the Royals to draft him in the third round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of Staples High School in Connecticut. After starting the year in extended spring training, he debuted in the Arizona Complex League before a midseason promotion to Low-A Columbia, where he impressed with a 3.47 FIP, a 24.5% whiff rate, and a 29.7% CSW%, demonstrating his ability to miss bats and control the zone. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound right-hander features a high-spin fastball in the mid-90s with upper-90s potential, a plus sweeping slider, and an improved changeup that bolsters his starter profile. While command remains a focus, his quick arm, clean delivery, and athleticism highlight his upside, rewarding the Royals’ $1.5 million investment with a strong debut season that sets the stage for a breakout in 2025.