Royals announce organizational awards for 2026 season

The Kansas City Royals on Monday announced eight organization award winners to seven members of the organization for the 2026 season. The Royals will honor these seven individuals this Friday, Sept. 25 on Futures Night at Kauffman Stadium before first pitch vs. the Cleveland Guardians at 6:40 p.m. A group of the winners will make community visits on Friday morning and participate in an autograph-signing session for fans at Gate A at Kauffman Stadium from 5:00-5:45 p.m., prior to the on-field ceremony.

GEORGE BRETT HITTER OF THE YEAR

IF BRETT SQUIRES

Brett Squires was recognized as the George Brett Award winner, given annually to the top hitter in the Royals organization. Squires, 26, split the 2026 minor league campaign between Double-A Northwest Arkansas (32 G) and Triple-A Omaha (100 G) and slashed .277/.351/.549 (135-for-488) with 34 doubles, 31 home runs, 78 runs scored, 24 stolen bases and an organization-best 103 RBI in 132 games across both levels. He was one of nine minor leaguers to hit at least 30 home runs and record at least 100 RBI and became the first Royals farmhand to reach those marks in a season since MJ Melendez in 2021 (41 HR, 103 RBI). Despite not making his Storm Chasers debut until May 12, he ranked among the International League leaders in slugging percentage (2nd, .553), OPS (5th, .892), home runs (T-5th, 25) and extra-base hits (6th, 51). Squires was signed by Kansas City as an undrafted free agent on July 24, 2022 out of the University of Oklahoma by Royals scout Bobby Shore.

PAUL SPLITTORFF PITCHER OF THE YEAR

LHP DAVID SHIELDS

For the second consecutive season, David Shields was named the Paul Splittorff Award winner, given to the top pitcher in the Royals organization. He is the first two-time winner of the award. Shields, 20, made 25 regular season starts for High-A Quad Cities and went 11-6 with a 4.01 ERA (52 ER in 116.2 IP) and 139 strikeouts (10.7 K/9) to just 28 walks. He led qualified Midwest League pitchers in wins, ERA, WHIP (1.08), K/9 and starts (tied), while his 139 strikeouts ranked 2nd, finishing 7 strikeouts shy of the triple crown. In addition to his regular season success, Shields made 2 postseason starts, including last Tuesday night, when he spun 6.0 shutout frames with 7 strikeouts in the River Bandits 2-1 victory to secure the Midwest League Championship. This marks the second award for Shields in the last week, as he was recognized as the Midwest League Pitcher of the Year last Wednesday. He was selected by the Royals out of the Mt. Lebanon HS (Pa.) in the 2nd round of the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, and was signed by Royals scout Tim Bittner.

Dan Quisenberry Reliever of the Year

RHP LP LANGEVIN

LP Langevin, the Royals No. 30 ranked prospect by MLB Pipeline, was named the first ever recipient of the Dan Quisenberry Reliever of the Year Award, which recognizes the organization’s top relief pitcher. Langevin, 23, appeared in 40 regular season games for High-A Quad Cities, going 5-3 with 3 saves, while registering a 3.42 ERA (21 ER in 55.1 IP) with 106 strikeouts. He posted a 17.2 K/9, which was the best mark among full-season minor leaguers (min. 50.0 IP) and was the highest rate by any minor leaguer since at least 2006. Langevin recorded at least 1 strikeout in 38 of his 40 appearances (95.0%) and notched multiple strikeouts in 32 of those outings (80.0%). Additionally, he pitched in all 4 of Quad Cities postseason games, posting 4.0 scoreless innings with 8 strikeouts and 2 saves, including last Tuesday night, when he struck out the side to seal the Midwest League Championship. Langevin was selected by by Kansas City in the 4th round of the 2024 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, and was signed by Royals scout Cody Clark.

FRANK WHITE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

OF CARSON ROCCAFORTE

For the third consecutive season, outfielder Carson Roccaforte (ROCK-uh-furt), the Royals No. 17 ranked prospect by MLB Pipeline, was the recipient of the Frank White Award, which recognizes the organization’s top defensive player. Roccaforte, 24, played in 138 games across stints with Double-A Northwest Arkansas (110 G) and Triple-A Omaha (28 G). He covered 1,106.0 innings in the outfield, 1,105.0 of which came in center field, and was one of three minor leaguers to log at least 1,000 innings in center field, but the only one to do so without recording an error. He notched a career-high 13 outfield assists—12 of which came with the Naturals—tied for the 3rd most among full-season minor leaguers and 1 shy of the leaders. In addition to his exceptional defense, Roccaforte hit 35 home runs and stole 32 bases, marking the first ever 30/30 season by a Royals minor leaguer and the 20th in the minors in the last 45 years, beginning with Darryl Strawberry in 1982. He was selected by the Royals out of the University of Louisiana-Lafayette in Competitive Balance Round B of the 2023 First-Year Player Draft, and was signed by Royals scout Cody Clark.

WILLIE WILSON BASERUNNER OF THE YEAR

OF ASBEL GONZÁLEZ

For the second consecutive season, Asbel González (ahs-bell) was recognized as the Willie Wilson Award winner, given to the top baserunner in the organization. González, 20, appeared in 110 regular season games for High-A Quad Cities and swiped 67 bases, the most among all Royals farmhands and 2nd most in the minors, behind only Kane Kepley (Cubs, 70). González’s 67 stolen bases this season comes after he swiped 78 bags a year ago, and he’s the only minor leaguer with at least 60 stolen bases in each of the last two seasons. He was signed by Kansas City as an international free agent out of Venezuela in 2023 by scouts Alberto Garcia, Jose Gualdron and Joelvis Gonzalez.

MIKE SWEENEY COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD

IF BRETT SQUIRES

In addition to being recognized as the George Brett Hitter of the Year, Brett Squires was named the recipient of the Mike Sweeney Community Impact Award, becoming the first Royals farmhand to win multiple organization awards within the same season. Squires has been a constant fixture in the community, participating in “Baseball Bingo” with patients at Children’s Nebraska Hospital, volunteering with Miracle League and serving as a RADS skills camp counselor at the Royals Amateur Development Complex.

“Brett represents everything this award is about. His 2026 season on the field was remarkable, but what stands out to me most is the great teammate he is behind those numbers,” said Royals Hall of Famer and Special Asst. to Baseball Operations/Player & Staff Engagement, Mike Sweeney. “He exemplifies selflessness and perseverance, and I couldn’t be more proud to see him receive the Mike Sweeney Award.”

ALEX GORDON HEART & HUSTLE AWARD

IF JOSH HAMMOND

Josh Hammond, the Royals No. 2 prospect and the No. 69 ranked prospect overall by MLB Pipeline, was named the Alex Gordon Heart & Hustle Award recipient. The award, which was established in 2023, recognizes a player who best exemplifies how Gordon played the game.

“Josh has earned a reputation for giving everything he has to his teammates and to his team,” said Royals Hall of Famer Alex Gordon. “Having my name on this award is an honor that’s hard to describe, and I hope Josh takes that same pride for being recognized with this award. He’s the kind of player Royals fans really identify with and love rooting for.”

Hammond, who is celebrating his 20th birthday today, spent his first professional season with Single-A Columbia and ranked among Carolina League leaders in hits (3rd, 125), batting average (5th, .286), total bases (T-7th, 170) and doubles (T-8th, 24). Additionally, he was one of nine players in the Carolina League to record at least 20 doubles and 20 stolen bases (25) and was the first Fireflies player to reach those marks since Squires in 2023 (21 2B & 32 SB).

“It’s the way, especially as a first-year player, Josh prepared, ran every ball out and competed every at-bat and every pitch on defense. He never took a play off or for granted. All of that and more is why Josh was the perfect selection for this award that bears Alex Gordon’s name,” said Mitch Maier, Kansas City’s Director of Player Development.

Hammond was selected by the Royals out of the Wesleyan Christian Academy (N.C.) in the PPI round of the 2025 First-Year Player Draft, and was signed by Royals scout Blake Newsome.

ART STEWART SCOUT OF THE YEAR

COORDINATOR OF SOUTH AMERICAN SCOUTING Joelvis Gonzalez

Joelvis Gonzalez, the Royals Coordinator of South American Scouting, was named the Art Stewart Scout of the Year, awarded annually to the most outstanding scout in the organization. Gonzalez worked his 19th season with the Royals in 2026 and first in this role. He has been a member of the Royals International Scouting Staff since 2008, having spent the previous eight seasons as the Venezuela Supervisor, before which he was an Area Supervisor for the Royals from 2008-18. In his time with the organization, he has played a role in the signings of Luinder Avila, Freddy Fermin and 2025 and 2026 Willie Wilson Baserunner of the Year winner Asbel González, among others.

“Joelvis represents the Royals organization with tremendous pride and professionalism throughout our industry,” said Rene Francisco, Kansas City’s Sr. Vice President, Major League & International Operations/Assistant GM. “He is an integral part of our international scouting and player development process, bringing a tireless work ethic and unwavering loyalty to everything he does for this organization. His leadership is felt throughout our department.”