Blake Mitchell, the Royals' top prospect, wasted no time making an impact for High-A Quad Cities on Friday night. With his on-base streak now at a remarkable 20 games, Mitchell launched a three-run homer in the first inning, setting the tone early. Behind the plate, he was ready to support No. 2 prospect Kendry Chourio as he took the mound.
Chourio, who ranks as MLB’s No. 73 prospect, delivered a strong performance in his second start for Quad Cities. He pitched six solid innings, allowing just one run while striking out four. The young right-hander gave up only two hits and two walks, showcasing his potential despite the River Bandits' narrow 4-3 loss to South Bend at Four Winds Field.
This outing was a significant improvement for Chourio compared to his High-A debut on June 19. In that game, he became the first pitcher since Eury Pérez in 2021 to pitch at this level before turning 19. While he struck out an impressive 10 batters without issuing a walk, he also conceded seven runs (five earned) over 4 2/3 innings.
Chourio earned his promotion to High-A after an impressive stint with Single-A Columbia, where he posted a 1.88 ERA, striking out 44 and walking just nine over 48 innings. The Venezuelan native, part of the Royals' 2025 international signing class, made his professional debut last year and has been turning heads ever since.
On the other side of the battery, Mitchell has seen a resurgence in his power this season. After a challenging 2025, where a fractured hamate bone limited him to just three homers and a .320 slugging percentage over 60 games, he's back to showing why he was a top draft pick. The 21-year-old catcher, drafted eighth overall by the Royals in 2023 out of Sinton High School in Texas, is proving that he's a force to be reckoned with as he continues his journey through the minors.
In Other News...
This Royals Draft Target Feels Like A Perfect Fit For KC
Eric Booth Jr. has started to look like the kind of athlete the Royals can dream on when the 2026 MLB draft rolls around. The Mississippi high school outfielder is drawing attention as one of the classs top prospects because of his elite speed, rangy athleticism and the kind of defensive upside that plays anywhere on the grass, with scouts also impressed by how he can change a game on the bases.
What makes Booth especially intriguing for Kansas City is that the fit goes beyond raw tools. The one question hanging over his profile is how much power he can unlock once his swing is refined, and that kind of development curve is exactly what can separate a good prospect from a great one. The Royals evidently see the appeal, even if their current lean suggests they still have another name in mind at the top of the board. [Read more 🡒]
Royals Grind Out Another Tight Division Win Over White Sox
Anthony Kays afternoon never really found its footing in the series finale, and the White Sox were left trying to dig out of an early hole against a division rival that has made a habit of squeezing out close games. Kay gave up five runs in 3.2 innings, and while Miguel Vargas and Kyle Teel helped keep Chicago within reach with timely damage at the plate, the early work on the mound made the margin feel a little too steep for comfort.
The bullpen did its part after Kay exited, holding Kansas City down the rest of the way and giving the offense a chance to climb back. Chicago still had enough life to make the finish interesting, but the club could not fully erase the deficit in a 5-4 loss that underscored how thin the margin can be in these division matchups. [Read more 🡒]
Royals May Be Headed For A Deadline Gut Punch
Kansas Citys season has drifted far enough off course that the trade deadline is starting to look less like a chance to add and more like a moment to take stock. With the Royals buried by injuries and a record that has pushed them toward the sellers side of the market, the kind of midseason chatter that once felt premature is getting harder to ignore. For a club trying to stay competitive in the division, the deadline now carries real consequences, especially if the front office decides its best path is to cash in a few veterans rather than wait for a turnaround that may not come.
The most familiar names in that discussion are pitchers Kris Bubic and Michael Wacha, both of whom would draw attention if Kansas City put them in play. Bubic has already surfaced in speculative trade talk, while Wachas profile makes him the sort of veteran contender could circle if it decides to reinforce the rotation. A reunion with San Diego has at least been part of the conversation, and that alone says plenty about where this deadline might be headed for the Royals. [Read more 🡒]