Two Royals Land on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospect List

The Kansas City Royals head into the new season with a pretty clear focus: depth, versatility, and a push to get younger. You can see it everywhere—from MLB Pipeline’s latest prospect rankings to spring training position battles and reactions to the league’s recent changes. The franchise looks like it’s aiming for sustainable growth, not just a quick fix. Here’s what’s standing out with the Royals’ roster, prospects, and spring outlook, plus a couple of interesting notes from around the sports world.

Royals Prospects Gain National Attention

MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects list gave the Royals’ player development system a nice boost. Kansas City landed two names on the list, which is a good sign for a club that’s been all-in on drafting and development lately.

Carter Jensen and Blake Mitchell Highlight the Rankings

Catcher Carter Jensen landed at No. 18, showing off his advanced bat and steady presence behind the plate. Jensen’s been moving up prospect boards thanks to his approach and clear power upside.

Right behind him, fellow catcher Blake Mitchell showed up at No. 75. That gives the Royals two top-tier catching prospects, which is honestly a pretty enviable spot for any team.

Spring Training Invitations and Roster Battles

Anne Rogers pointed out several position players likely to get spring training invites. The Royals seem determined to let young talent get a taste of big-league camp early on.

Spring training this year feels less about just filling out the roster. It’s more about testing versatility and seeing who’s actually ready.

Outfield Roles Begin to Take Shape

Veteran Michael A. Taylor should start most games in left field, offering some defensive stability and experience out there.

Hunter Renfroe—sometimes called Collins—will bounce around the outfield and even fill in at second base when needed. That kind of flexibility is gold for a modern bench.

The real question is center field. Nick Isbel stands out as the best defensive option, but Thomas can handle all three outfield spots and is right in the mix. The Royals plan to use spring reps to figure out who fits where.

Young Talent Pushing for Everyday Roles

Cole Caglianone has a real shot at locking down the everyday right field job. The coaches have noticed the work he put in during the offseason.

International Play and Depth Additions

Caglianone will also play for Team Italy this spring, which should be a good experience for him. Andrew Misner, who came over from the Rays in November, joins Blanco, Rave, and Waters to compete for a spot on Opening Day.

Misner’s main value might just be his ability to cover center field reliably, which is something you can’t have too much of.

• Emphasis on multi-position capability
• Increased spring training reps for prospects
• Flexibility to adapt lineups during the season

Clubhouse Reactions and Organizational Philosophy

Star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. joked that hitters have mostly welcomed the new league changes, though he’s not sure pitchers feel the same way. Veteran catcher Salvador Perez said he was surprised it took so long to make those adjustments.

Throughout camp, the Royals keep coming back to versatility. They want young players to grow into their roles naturally instead of locking them into positions too fast.

Around the Sports World

Beyond baseball, a few headlines grabbed attention. Dabo Swinney called out Ole Miss for what he says is tampering, which just pours more gas on the NIL argument.

Former NFL quarterback Philip Rivers might interview for the Buffalo Bills’ head coaching job. If that happens, it could be a wild second chapter for his football career.

On a different note, if you’re looking for a soundtrack, try The Smithereens’ “A Girl Like You.” There’s something about it that just fits this time of year—maybe it’s the hint of spring in the air, or maybe it’s just nostalgia.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Kansas City Royals news: Two Royals make MLB Pipeline’s top 100 prospect list