Royals' 2026 first-rounder Rose gets to cap first year as a pro as an AFL Fall Star
This browser does not support the video element.
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Most prospects aren't accustomed to playing in October, let alone November, so the Arizona Fall League can be a grind. Stacking 30 more games on top of 130 or so during the Minor League regular season leaves a lot of guys dragging at the end of the developmental circuit's schedule.
That's not the case with Zion Rose, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2026 Draft. The Royals have kept him busy since signing him for $5,809,575 in late July, first sending him to High-A, which included a trip to the Midwest League playoffs, and then to the Surprise Saguaros. He's one of just two 2026 draftees in the Fall League, along with Scottsdale third baseman Dalton Wentz (Giants).
Rose missed 21 of Louisville's 57 games during his junior year with ankle and hamstring injuries, so he's relishing the opportunity to get as much experience as possible ahead of his first full season in pro ball.
"I love this sport. I love this game," the Royals No. 6 prospect said. "That's what they drafted me for is to play ball, so I have no worries about it.
"I'm facing some arms that are Triple-A, Double-A, High-A, just pro arms in general. I really needed that after coming out of college because it's definitely better arms, better location, better pitching. So being able to recognize that and get comfortable being here in pro ball, I'm super grateful for the opportunity."
Rose was just one of six NCAA Division I players to total at least 30 extra-base hits and as many stolen bases as a sophomore in 2025, and he was on pace to repeat that performance this year if not for the injuries. He has advanced bat-to-ball skills, exhibiting plus raw power while driving balls from gap to gap. He's also faster that most 6-foot-1 200-pounders, showing solid run times out of the batter's box and flashes of well-above-average speed once he gets going.
All of those tools have been on display in Arizona, where Rose has earned a spot in Sunday's Fall Stars Game. He's batting .309/.487/.491 and ranks fifth in the league with 13 steals in 14 contests.
If scouts have a quibble with Rose's offensive game, it's that he doesn't pull balls in the air consistently enough to maximize his power potential. He homered 24 times in three years at Louisville and went deep once while slugging .338 during his 19-game pro debut.
Rose said the Royals are letting him get acclimated to pro ball without trying to incorporate too many changes. They're trying to help him shift his weight forward a bit more in the box to produce some more pop, and that's it. He said he's not worrying too much about trying to lift and launch balls, as he's content to make consistent hard contact and let home runs come naturally.
"Right now, I'm just playing my game, honestly," Rose said. "The game's changing a little bit to more just hit-tool guys, line-drive guys. I know the game was about power and power is great, but the two teams that were in the World Series were just about getting on base and causing havoc on the bases. So I'm just playing my game and progressing as I go."
Rose has said his introduction to pro ball has taught him the importance of a daily routine. Going from playing four games a week for four months in college to six games a week for five-plus months in the Minors requires some adjustments.
"I believe one aspect of the game that I need to get better at is just learning how to manage my body," Rose said. "In college, every day we're just going 100 percent. And out here you're playing every day, so you've got to take more quality reps instead of just doing things just to do them. Also, learning how to warm up my body before games so I'm good not only for today but also at the end of the week."