Top 20 prospects for the Kansas City Royals in 2024: Blake Mitchell and Ben Kudrna lead the way.

The Royals’ injury situation last year was somewhat precarious due to a number of injuries, some of which were common and some of which weren’t. Their first-round selection in 2019 is a star, but their first three selections have all performed poorly thus far. After a protracted period of inactivity, they have made a number of notable additions to the international scouting department and recently hired former Atlanta scouting director Brian Bridges in an attempt to increase their draft performance.

The Royals selected Mitchell eighth overall in the 2023 draft and awarded him a below-slot bonus, making him the first catcher selected. This allowed the Royals to sign three players for above-slot picks later in the draft. With a plus arm and a powerful swing, this catcher can also play above-average defense behind the plate. In high school, he reached 94 mph on the mound as a pitcher. He has struggled with better offspeed stuff in high school and during his brief stay in the ACL last summer. He starts his setup at the plate with a very wide stance and then strides forward from there.