Kansas City Royals 2025 Top 20 Prospects

Team Outlook

The Kansas City Royals made the postseason, and that is something that should be celebrated for fans of baseball. They aren’t ever going to be one of the game’s big spenders, so they upgrade their major league roster with moves around the margins, like small trades, as we recently saw with the Jonathan India trade. The Royals have one of the best 3-5 players in the sport, and Bobby Witt Jr. covers up a flawed roster. But they did develop and turn Bobby Witt Jr into the superstar he is now and have him locked up on a nice contract for the foreseeable future. The farm system is healthier than it has been for a while, as they have had some high picks, but they have also had some pretty nasty whiffs like Frank Mozzicato and Asa Lacy. The farm system is littered with interesting arms like Ben Kudrna and Blake Wolters, who both have some upside left to play around with, and upper minors arms ready to contribute like Chandler Champlain lower down the list. The Royals first-rounder in 2024 is one of the more divisive prospects in the game in Jac Caglianone because while there is big-time power, there are big-time hit tool concerns. Of the top 10 prospects in the Royals system, 3 of them are young and exciting catchers, so the catching depth in the organization is a strength, and one would think if they were to make a trade, that is where they would dip from. The farm system is in a good spot as the Royals do want to make some win-now trades as they are now firmly in the mix to compete for their division because Bobby Witt Jr is the rising tide that lifts all boats with that offense and some stellar pitching headlined by Cole Ragans.

About Our Top 20 Lists

Prospects Live, led by its evaluating team & Director of Scouting Rhys White, is proud to begin rolling out its annual offseason system reports. The team combines industry feedback, our live looks, film, and available data to compile each org. We believe this effort has enabled us to present you, the reader, with our best possible view of the prospects in the organization.

We have constructed this list using the Overall Future Potential (OFP) scale. There is no perfect equation for ranking prospects or assigning value to them, but we believe this method is the best possible approach. Every prospect on this list has been graded based on the tried and true 20-80 scouting scale. An 80 is the highest tool and OFP grade on the scale, reserved for MVP-caliber players or tools. Conversely, a 20 is reserved for non-prospects (NPs). A 50 OFP falls in the middle, indicating our evaluators deem this player a future average major league player. Below the 50 OFP tier are the 45s and 40s, comprising a large majority of players on each list. These are specific-role players, such as platoon hitters, utility players, or low-leverage relievers. Above the 50 OFP tier are the 55s and 60s. A 55 represents a future above-average player, and a 60 OFP designation is reserved for future All-Star caliber players.

In addition to the tool grades and OFP, we will also include a 'Risk' associated with each prospect. We use this to better communicate to you, the reader, whether a grade is more aggressive or conservative in nature. The evaluation team has worked hard to apply both the grades and risk components to better illustrate how each individual prospect stacks up in their respective system and in the baseball ecosystem.

Evaluators: Rhys White, Matt Thompson, Tyler Jennings, Alex Kempton, Tyler Paddor, Trevor Hooth, Jared Perkins

Find all the Top 20 Lists here:

2025 Team Prospect Lists - Prospects Live

Prospects LiveRhys White

Top 20 Prospects

1. Jac Caglianone, 1B - 55 OFP
2. Blake Mitchell, C - 50 OFP
3. Carter Jensen, C - 55 OFP
4. Ben Kudrna, RHP  - 50 OFP
5. Blake Wolters, RHP - 50 OFP
6. Ramon Ramirez, C - 50 OFP 
7. Gavin Cross, OF - 45 OFP
8. David Shields, LHP - 45 OFP
9. Jhonayker Ugarte, SS  - 45 OFP
10. Steven Zobac, RHP - 45 OFP
11. Noah Cameron, LHP - 45 OFP
12. Hiro Wyatt, RHP - 45 OFP
13. Drew Beam, RHP - 45 OFP
14. Asbel Gonzalez, OF - 45 OFP
15. Luinder Avila, RHP - 45 OFP
16. Javier Vaz, OF - 45 OFP
17. Chandler Champlain, RHP - 45 OFP
18. Carson Roccaforte, OF - 40 OFP
19. Yandel Ricardo, 3B - 40 OFP
20. Austin Charles, 3B  - 40 OFP

Scouting Reports

1B/LHP Jac Caglianone

DOB: 02/09/2003

HT: 6-5

WT: 250

H/T: L/L

Acquired: 2024, Round 1 ($7,500,000) 

Highest Level: High-A

ETA: 2026

Rule V: 2027

Grades:

Hitting

Pitching

SCOUTING REPORT

Jac Caglianone, selected sixth overall by the Kansas City Royals in the 2024 MLB Draft, is a remarkable two-way talent with significant potential as a left-handed power hitter and pitcher. At the University of Florida, he led Division I with 33 home runs in 2023 and 35 in 2024, showcasing exceptional raw power and bat speed. While his aggressive approach previously resulted in a 44% chase rate, he made notable improvements in 2024, reducing his strikeouts and enhancing contact quality. Defensively, Caglianone is solid at first base, projecting as a key offensive contributor. His fastball reaches up to 100 mph on the mound, complemented by a developing cutter and a solid changeup. Despite refining his delivery, control issues persist, leading to elevated walk rates and raising questions about his long-term role as a two-way player. The Royals are open to exploring his dual capabilities, recognizing his profile's high-risk, high-reward nature. Caglianone's unique skill set and physical attributes position him as one of the most intriguing prospects in recent drafts. - Jared Perkins

FANTASY SPIN 

At this rate, it seems foolish to project anyone not named Shohei Ohtani as a two-way player. Caglianone should just be considered a hitter until he can prove others. Even with that caveat, there is plenty to be excited about. His hit tool has been better than expected, with just a 20% strikeout rate in his High-A debut, followed by a 19% strikeout rate in the Arizona Fall League. Combine that with his prodigious power, and you have a high-ceiling power bat that should be taken within the first 10 picks of an FYPD draft. - Taylor Corso