Here are the Royals' prospects you should watch closely

This story was excerpted from Anne Rogers’ Royals Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

MINNEAPOLIS – If you haven’t started paying attention when Kendry Chourio takes the mound for High-A Quad Cities every week, it’s time to start.

The 18-year-old right-hander made his High-A debut on June 19 and allowed seven runs (five earned) in 4 2/3 innings. But in five starts since then? Chourio has allowed three runs total across 26 innings. That included the first five innings of a combined no-hitter with Emmanuel Reyes on July 19, and one run in six innings this past Saturday against High-A Beloit (Marlins).

But it’s not just him turning heads in the Minor Leagues. Chourio headlines a group of four Royals prospects who have established themselves as Top 100 prospects in MLB Pipeline’s ranking system:

Chourio: No. 65
SS/3B Josh Hammond: No. 80
LHP David Shields: No. 98
OF Angeibel Gomez: No. 100

“It’s been great to see the last couple years,” player development director Mitch Maier said. “Obviously, the scouting departments – internationally and amateur – that are identifying and selecting the players, signing the players, they're the ones that are putting in the work to go identify the talent. The players themselves are really fun to watch, too. It’s been fun.”

Chourio and Shields are both in High-A, with the 19-year-old Shields posting a 4.11 ERA across 19 starts there this year. Both are more advanced than others their age, and it shows on the mound.

“When those guys take the mound, there’s discipline, there’s professionalism,” Maier said. “They know how to pitch.”

Hammond was the Royals’ prospect promotion incentive pick last year at No. 28 overall, and he’s having a strong first pro season in Single-A with a .291/.361/.411 slash line, 21 doubles and 21 stolen bases.

Hammond’s athleticism stood out in the Draft, and that’s still the case now in pro ball. He’s played more shortstop than third base, and scouts have been impressed with his strength on both sides of the ball.

And Gomez, who snuck onto the Top 100 list last week with Braden Montgomery graduating, might be the least known right now among these four, but he shouldn’t be for long. The Venezuela native signed with the Royals for $2.9 million this past January as their top international signing in another strong class and has been one of the hottest hitters in the Dominican Summer League.

Still just 17 years old, Gomez is hitting .345 with a 1.083 OPS, with 11 doubles and six homers in 34 DSL games so far. He’s walked (20) more than he’s struck out (15). Gomez has a very long way to go, but he’s a five-tool player with a chance to be a star if everything clicks.

“I think back to signing day and the excitement around him then,” Maier said, “getting to see the tools – he’s stepped on the field and done that. He’s got a simple swing. He’s very gifted. He can run. He can throw. Has the ability to hit for average and power. He’s displaying that, and it’s been a really good start for him. Couldn’t be more excited for him and continuing to see him grow in his career. He’s very young, very talented and a gifted player. He’s getting strong, too, which allows him to have that success.”

Beyond the Top 100 prospects, there are several other Royals prospects having nice years. Catcher Blake Mitchell (No. 5 Royals prospect) has bounced back well from his injury-riddled 2025 season, with 17 homers and an .879 OPS in High-A. Right-hander Michael Lombardi (No. 10) was their second-round pick last season and has a 3.38 ERA in 18 appearances (13 starts) for Single-A Columbia in his first full professional season. Outfielder Carson Roccaforte (No. 15) has hit a career-high 22 homers in Double-A. Outfielder Sean Gamble (No. 8), after a very tough start to the season in Single-A, has come along recently with a .775 OPS and 112 wRC+ in 40 games since the start of June. Outfielder Gavin Cross is on a serious heater right now with six home runs in six consecutive games.

All this talent in the lower levels gives the Royals some excitement for what the next few years could bring. But it also underscores the importance of what the Royals are trying to accomplish at the Trade Deadline and this offseason as well. They don’t want to rush these young players through the system before they’re ready. But the depth at the upper levels of the Minors is thin, and the Royals need to infuse it with talent to help them compete in 2027 and beyond. Any trade they make over the next few days will likely focus on Major League-ready or near-ready pieces that can help the big league team soon.

But it won’t be long until we’re talking about Chourio, Shields, Hammond, Gomez and others knocking on the door in Kansas City, too.