The Royals’ farm system may lack depth, but the higher-end talent is gaining notice on prospect lists. And during MLB’s All-Star weekend, you can get a look at the future!
Pitcher Kendry Chourio and catcher Blake Mitchell were both named to the MLB Future Game to be played at Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia on Sunday, July 12 at 11 a.m. CT. The American League will be managed by former Gold Glove shortstop Larry Bowa, while the National League will be managed by former All-Star outfielder Shane Victorino.
Chourio is ranked as a top prospect by both MLB Pipeline (#70) and Baseball America (#32). The 18-year-old right-hander dominated at Low-A with a 1.88 ERA in 11 starts with 44 strikeouts and just 9 walks in 48 innings, earning him a promotion to High-A recently. Chourio throws in the mid-90s with a plus change up and has excellent command and poise on the mound.
Mitchell was the eighth-overall pick in the 2023 draft out of high school in Texas. He suffered a hamate bone injury last year, but has rebounded to hit .210/.409/.425 with 13 home runs and 16 steals in 68 games at High-A this year. He features the best plate discipline in the organization and had an impressive 24 percent walk rate in the advanced Arizona Fall League last year.
The game will feature some of the best overall prospects in the sport including 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.
The game will air exclusively on NBC with Melanie Newman, Yonder Alonso, Sam Dykstra and Sande Charles calling the action.
Past Royals Futures Game Representatives
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 – No game 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
