Witness Tomorrow's Baseball Legends Today: Royals' Rising Stars Head to Futures Game!
Royals' Future Talent on Display at All-Star Weekend
Despite some perceived limitations in the Kansas City Royals' minor league system, the organization boasts high-caliber emerging talent that is rapidly gaining recognition on prominent prospect rankings. Baseball enthusiasts will have the opportunity to witness these future stars firsthand during Major League Baseball's All-Star festivities.
Meet the Royals' Chosen Ones for the Futures Game
Pitcher Kendry Chourio and catcher Blake Mitchell have both earned spots on the roster for the esteemed MLB Futures Game. This showcase event is scheduled to take place at Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia on Sunday, July 12, at 11 a.m. CT. The American League team will be guided by the legendary former Gold Glove shortstop, Larry Bowa, while the National League squad will be led by former All-Star outfielder, Shane Victorino.
Kendry Chourio: A Pitching Prodigy with Remarkable Command
Kendry Chourio is widely regarded as a top-tier prospect, appearing at #70 on MLB Pipeline's list and #32 according to Baseball America. This 18-year-old right-handed hurler displayed exceptional dominance in Low-A, where he posted an impressive 1.88 ERA across 11 starts, tallying 44 strikeouts and issuing only 9 walks over 48 innings pitched. His stellar performance recently earned him a promotion to High-A. Chourio's arsenal features a fastball that regularly sits in the mid-90s, complemented by a plus changeup, all delivered with outstanding command and composure on the mound.
Blake Mitchell: A Dynamic Catcher with Exceptional Plate Discipline
Blake Mitchell was a high-profile selection in the 2023 draft, picked eighth overall directly out of high school in Texas. After recovering from a hamate bone injury last year, Mitchell has made a strong comeback this season in High-A, hitting .210/.409/.425 with 13 home runs and 16 stolen bases in 68 games. He is celebrated for possessing the finest plate discipline within the Royals' organization, highlighted by an impressive 24 percent walk rate during his time in the advanced Arizona Fall League last year.
A Glimpse at Other Notable Talents in the Futures Game
The Futures Game is set to showcase a constellation of the sport's most promising overall prospects. This includes standout players such as Brewers shortstop Jesús Made, Nationals shortstop Eli Willits, Dodgers outfielder Josue De Paula, Athletics shortstop Leo De Vries, Mariners pitcher Kade Anderson, and Pirates pitcher Seth Hernandez, all of whom are poised to make significant impacts in the major leagues.
Broadcasting Details for the Highly Anticipated Game
Fans eager to catch the action of the Futures Game can tune in exclusively to NBC. The broadcast team will feature Melanie Newman, Yonder Alonso, Sam Dykstra, and Sande Charles, who will provide expert commentary and analysis throughout the game.
A Legacy of Royals in the Futures Game: Previous Representatives
The Kansas City Royals have a rich history of sending their brightest young talents to the Futures Game. Over the years, numerous players who would go on to have successful MLB careers have graced this stage. Notable past representatives include:
• 2000 – P Jeff Austin and P Chris George
• 2001 – P Chris George
• 2002 – SS Angel Berroa
• 2003 – OF Alexis Gomez and P Zack Greinke
• 2004 – 2B Ruben Gotay and SS Andres Blanco
• 2005 – 1B Justin Huber
• 2006 – 3B Alex Gordon and OF Billy Butler
• 2007 – P Luke Hochevar
• 2008 – P Julio Pimental
• 2009 – P Danny Duffy
• 2010 – 1B Eric Hosmer and 3B Mike Moustakas
• 2011 – OF Wil Myers and P Kelvin Herrera
• 2012 – OF Wil Myers, P Yordano Ventura, and P Jake Odorizzi
• 2013 – P Yordano Ventura and P Miguel Almonte
• 2014 – P Christian Binford
• 2015 – 1B Balbino Fuenmayor, SS Adalberto Mondesi, and 3B Cheslor Cuthbert
• 2016 – OF Hunter Dozier and OF Jorge Bonifacio
• 2017 – P Foster Griffin
• 2018 – OF Seuly Matias
• 2019 – P Brady Singer and P Kris Bubic
• 2020 – (Game not played)
• 2021 – 1B Nick Pratto and SS Bobby Witt Jr.
• 2022 – 1B Nick Pratto (selected, but promoted to MLB) and P Alec Marsh (replacement)
• 2023 – P Will Klein
• 2024 – P Ben Kudrna and OF Gavin Cross
• 2025 – C Carter Jensen and P Frank Mozzicato
