Here's the Royals' Spring Breakout roster
Anne Rogers
@anne__rogersNo team had more of its Top 30 prospects involved in the 2024 inaugural edition of Spring Breakout than the Royals. The second year of Spring Breakout is almost upon us, and once again, Kansas City¡¯s roster is full of tantalizing young talent.
After sending 24 of their Top 30 prospects to last year¡¯s event, the Royals will have 26 of their Top 30 prospects in this year¡¯s Spring Breakout game. That's tied with the Marlins for the most such prospects from one club.
Here is what you need to know about this showcase of Kansas City¡¯s best Minor Leaguers.
What is Spring Breakout?
MLB Spring Breakout is a four-day event showcasing baseball¡¯s future: the current stars of Minor League Baseball. The second edition will be held from March 13-16 at Grapefruit and Cactus League stadiums during Spring Training. Sixteen exhibition games will be played between teams comprised of each MLB organization¡¯s top prospects, creating a new touchpoint on the baseball calendar that celebrates the sport¡¯s budding talent.
When is the Royals' game?
The Royals¡¯ Minor Leaguers will face the D-backs¡¯ Minor Leaguers on March 14 at 7:10 p.m. CT in Scottsdale, Ariz.
How can I tune in?
Which position players are expected to play?
First baseman Jac Caglianone is the headliner. The club¡¯s No. 1 prospect and MLB's No. 22, Caglianone arguably possesses the most power of any Top 100 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. We have already seen his strength on display in Spring Training.
Catcher Carter Jensen -- the Royals¡¯ No. 3 prospect and MLB¡¯s No. 85 -- will also be in action. The Kansas City native hit 18 home runs and logged an .809 OPS in his age-20 season last year split between High-A Quad Cities and Double-A Northwest Arkansas.
Which pitching prospects are expected to play?
Another couple of somewhat local products, Ben Kudrna and Noah Cameron, will be the Royals¡¯ best pitching prospects in Spring Breakout. The right-handed Kudrna, the club's No. 4 prospect, was born in Kansas and got a chance to face captain Salvador Perez in camp last month.
Cameron, a Missouri native who also grew up rooting for the Royals, is Kansas City's No. 5 prospect. The left-hander with plus command recorded a 2.32 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP across nine starts at Triple-A Omaha in 2024.
Why are certain top prospects not listed on the roster?
Most of Kansas City¡¯s top prospects will be involved in Spring Breakout; the Royals are one of two teams, joining the Marlins, with each of its top 15 prospects on the roster. Right-handed pitcher Chandler Champlain is Kansas City¡¯s highest-ranking player not included. He is the team's No. 20 prospect.
It is worth noting that catcher Blake Mitchell -- the Royals¡¯ No. 2 prospect and MLB's No. 48 -- is on the roster but will not participate in the game as he is recovering from surgery after breaking his right hamate bone.
What is the full roster?
CATCHERS
Blake Mitchell, C, No. 2 (MLB No. 48)
Carter Jensen, C, No. 3 (MLB No. 85)
Ramon Ramirez, C, No. 10
Hyungchan Um, C, No. 29