Royals Prospect Pipeline Is Demanding Attention Again

Three of Kansas City's rising stars prepare to shine on the national stage during the prestigious Fall Stars Game this weekend.

Three Royals prospects are headed to the Arizona Fall League’s showcase weekend, and one of them has already made a little history.

Outfielders Angeibel Gomez and Zion Rose, along with left-hander Justin Lamkin, were chosen to represent the American League in Sunday’s Fall Stars Game at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Ariz. All three have spent the fall with the Surprise Saguaros, a roster that also includes prospects from the Guardians, Mets, Phillies and Rangers organizations.

Gomez’s selection stands out most. The 17-year-old Venezuelan outfielder is the youngest player ever picked for the Fall Stars Game, and he’s also the second-youngest player to appear in AFL history. Through 11 games with Surprise, he’s hitting .300 with an .803 OPS and has swiped four bases.

Lamkin’s path to the AFL has been a comeback story of sorts. A left shoulder injury ended his regular season in May, but the 2025 second-round pick has returned to game action in Arizona and posted a 3.86 ERA with a 0.92 WHIP over five starts. He also picked up Pitcher of the Week honors in October.

Rose has shown some pop as well. He has four home runs in his first nine AFL games after leaving the regular season with three homers in 33 games for Single-A Columbia.

The Fall Stars Game has been part of the AFL calendar since 2006, with selections made by scouts, AFL staff and national baseball reporters. Kansas City has had a steady run of representation in recent years, with Luinder Avila joining Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen in 2024, then Blake Mitchell and Daniel Vazquez earning spots last year.

This year’s Home Run Derby is set for Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET (7:30 CT), and the Fall Stars Game follows on Sunday at 8 p.m.

ET (7 CT). Both events will be shown live on MLB Network and streamed on MLB.com and the MLB app.

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