The Kansas City Royals have utilized the Arizona Fall League (AFL) to feature some of their best prospects in recent years.
And 2025 is no different.
This season, the Royals sent eight players — including top catching prospect Blake Mitchell — to join the Surprise Saguaros in AFL play. Each prospect will get additional playing time while honing their skills ahead of the 2026 campaign.
Mitchell headlines the Royals’ contingent that also includes Carson Roccaforte (OF), Daniel Vazquez (IF), A.J. Causey (RHP), Dennis Colleran (RHP), L.P. Langevin (RHP), Logan Martin (RHP) and Hunter Owen (LHP).
The Saguaros are comprised of prospects from five MLB franchises. Those teams include the Royals, Philadelphia Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers, Cleveland Guardians and Texas Rangers.
Last fall, the Royals sent Jac Caglianone, Carter Jensen and Luinder Avila to join the Saguaros in Arizona. Earlier this year, the trio each made their Major League Baseball debuts with the Royals.
“I think there’s a couple different reasons why you want them to go,” Royals director of player development Mitch Maier said. “Sometimes it’s because you want them to see a slightly different level or type of competition.”
Mitchell has already generated headlines. He belted his first AFL home run against the Mesa Solar Sox on Oct. 23. The blast recorded a 116.5 mph exit velocity — which would’ve been the fifth-hardest-hit baseball of the 2025 MLB season.
The Royals have raved about Mitchell’s skills. The club selected Mitchell eighth overall in the 2023 MLB Draft and he is navigating through the minor-league system. Mitchell was a Royals spring training invite and spent the year in High-A Quad Cities.
Despite uneven production, Mitchell showed why he has a high ceiling. He recorded 35 hits and 12 RBIs in 49 games. The Royals sent him to the AFL to get more at-bats after missing time with a hamate bone fracture in his right hand.
“It’s an opportunity for him to kind of keep the competition level he’s at and get those plate appearances so he has a better understanding of what his workload will need to be for the following year,” Maier said.
Mitchell entered Tuesday’s action hitting .194 with 16 walks and a .720 OPS (on-base plus slugging) in 11 AFL games.
Meanwhile, the Royals have liked what they have seen from both Roccaforte and Vazquez thus far. Roccaforte has logged 10 RBIs and an .815 OPS while adding quality outfield defense.
Vazquez leads the Saguaros in batting average and ranks third among all AFL hitters with 18 hits. The 6-foot-2 shortstop is in his second stint with the Saguaros after reaching Double-A Northwest Arkansas this season.
“I think we already know what he can do defensively,” Maier said. “It’s just more opportunity for the at-bats to get the reps against good arms and, you know, a chance for him to continue to develop the offensive side of his game.”
On the pitching side, the Royals hope to see continued growth from all of their top hurlers in Arizona.
Causey has an elevated 9.95 ERA but offers strong command of his pitches. He registered nine strikeouts in five appearances so far. The Royals consider him a potential quick mover through their system as a reliever.
And for good reason. Causey had a 1.72 ERA across two minor-league levels and finished the 2025 campaign pitching in Double-A Northwest Arkansas.
“We want him to get the seasonings so that he knows how to come in and slam a door or get three quick outs or have to work with a variety of base out situations,” Maier said. “You can only do that with so many appearances as a reliever during the regular season. So he gets to tack on a few more. Plus, it’s us acknowledging that he is a really good reliever.”
Langevin and Colleran have also made strides in limited action. They have worked out of the bullpen and continue to get additional reps. Langevin has allowed one run in three games but has issued five walks and Colleran has five strikeouts in four innings.
Martin is the lone starter in the group. He has made three starts but hasn’t seen favorable results. He owns an 11.05 ERA after allowing 10 runs in 7 ⅓ innings.
Owen rounds out the Royals pitchers in Surprise. He has pitched in two games so far and surrendered six runs in 4 ⅓ innings.
The Saguaros were 10-5 this fall entering play Tuesday afternoon against the Scottsdale Scorpions.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.kansascity.com ’
