The Kansas City Royals have developed a knack for picking high school talent at the top of the draft. Their 2025 selections of Sean Gamble and Josh Hammond only reinforced this trend, with results varying widely.
While Frank Mozzicato is still making his way, Bobby Witt Jr. has proven successful. But if there's one player who could redefine Kansas City’s strategy, it's 2023 first-round pick, catcher Blake Mitchell.
Mitchell is turning heads in batting practice, showcasing easy power from the left side and a smooth swing across all fields. After recovering from a hamate injury last year, his strength is clearly on the rise.
As Mitchell enters a crucial 2026 season, his stock has dipped slightly, though he remains a Top 100 prospect according to MLB Pipeline. The 2025 season was challenging, with a broken hamate bone setting him back. Such injuries can linger, especially affecting power, which makes 2026 all the more important.
The power isn't the main concern, though. Mitchell's exit velocities were among the highest in the Arizona Fall League, proving his raw power is undeniable. The real question lies in his swing decisions, contact ability, and overall hitting skills.
Last season, Mitchell posted an impressive 20.8% walk rate, mostly at High-A Quad Cities, but also had a strikeout rate over 30%. While the walk-to-strikeout ratio is promising, the underlying contact quality isn't.
His contact rate dropped to a career-low 66.7%, raising concerns as he moved through different levels. He thrived in Low-A Columbia, pulling the ball with intent, but struggled to maintain that approach at Quad Cities.
Baseball America praises Mitchell's strike-zone discipline, and it's easy to see why scouts are optimistic about his potential. However, Royals fans have seen similar stories before, like Nick Pratto, whose patience and strikeout issues echoed Mitchell’s. The outcome wasn’t what fans hoped for.
This makes 2026 a pivotal year for Mitchell. Defensively, he's solid, showing athleticism and standing out as the best defender among catching prospects in the system. The power is there, but it needs to translate into consistent contact.
To silence the skeptics, Mitchell must convert those walks into damage, improve his contact rate, and refine his swing decisions. A strong showing in spring training could be a crucial step, providing exposure to the right coaching and technology to address his challenges.
This season, it’s all about competing and proving himself. Let's see if Mitchell can rise to the occasion and tackle his issues head-on.