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Blake Mitchell couldn\u2019t wait to arrive in Surprise, Arizona. His bags were packed and his outfit was freshly laid out for the first day of spring training.<\/p>\n
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This season, Mitchell had a real opportunity<\/a> with the Kansas City Royals. His name was included on the major-league camp roster for the first time. And he was set to join a catching group that included nine-time All-Star Salvador Perez.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mitchell, 21, was ready for his moment. However, he suffered a hamate bone fracture<\/a> in his right hand before he could suit up for game action.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Surgery was needed. The Royals announced Mitchell would miss 4-6 weeks before he could resume baseball activities.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe injury happened early on,\u201d Mitchell said. \u201cIt was like my first practice in big-league camp this year. I was really looking forward to a good camp, being around those guys, getting to show my skills and compete with them. But since that got cut short, I just switched my focus and really focused in on my rehab and trying to get back as quick as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mitchell was ultimately sidelined for months.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He didn\u2019t return until early May with the ACL Royals in rookie ball. It wasn\u2019t until July that he rejoined High-A Quad Cities<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt took about 4 \u00bd months to get me back to playing in affiliate ball,\u201d Mitchell said. \u201cSo it was a lot longer than it should have (been) just because of the inflammation and pain that was built up in my wrist.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mitchell had never dealt with a major injury. It was an unnerving experience to watch from the sidelines \u2014 while also focusing on an extensive rehab.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mitchell was used to playing every day and seeing his name in the starting lineup.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The days were long.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n At times, Mitchell faced varying degrees of adversity that led him to lean on his family for support. His coaches offered encouragement and he managed to keep navigating each step with a renewed purpose.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mitchell rebuilt his wrist strength in due time. The injury didn\u2019t prevent him from catching but made it difficult to hit at a proficient clip.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCatching was the easy part for me,\u201d Mitchell said. \u201cIt never hurt while I was catching. It was on my throwing hand and never hurt while I was throwing. It would only hurt while I was hitting. No matter what I did, it would only hurt when I was swinging. Thankfully, I was fine on defense so I could at least play decent on one side of the ball. I\u2019m thankful I didn\u2019t have to readjust on both hitting and defense.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mitchell played in 60 minor-league games in 2025. He hit .218 with three home runs and 19 RBIs in 197 at-bats.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Royals were excited to get Mitchell back in game action. However, the club wanted to see more and designated him to join the Surprise Saguaros<\/a> in the Arizona Fall League.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Saguaros are comprised of prospects from the Royals, Cleveland Guardians, Milwaukee Brewers, Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mitchell would join seven other Royals prospects in Arizona. In recent years, the Royals sent Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen to the fall league. Both players made their MLB debut this year.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a bunch of fun competing with these guys,\u201d Mitchell said. \u201cIt\u2019s great. I couldn\u2019t imagine just sitting at home just doing the offseason right now. I would much rather be out here playing baseball, competing with these guys, my teammates and guys on the other teams. It\u2019s a bunch of great ball players. So, you know, I\u2019m super blessed to be out here.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mitchell admitted he finally felt like himself in Arizona. And his recent play confirmed that sentiment as he helped the Saguaros win the AFL Championship<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t notice that difference until I got out here to the fall league,\u201d Mitchell said. \u201cI was swinging and I was like, \u2018It feels like me again.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In 19 games, Mitchell posted a .745 OPS (on-base plus slugging). He had key at-bats down the stretch \u2014 including a walk-off single in the AFL semifinals \u2014 and strong defense behind the plate.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mitchell was also named an AFL Fall Star<\/a>. The chance to represent the Saguaros in the star-studded game meant a lot to him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou know, getting that information felt really good,\u201d Mitchell said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mitchell will now turn toward Royals spring training in February. He has a chance to build off his AFL success and carve out a role in the higher level of the minor leagues.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Royals have committed to young prospects in recent years. The club promoted rookies Noah Cameron, Tyler Tolbert, John Rave and Luinder Avila among others in 2025.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mitchell is among the top prospects in the organization. He is ranked No. 62 among the top-100 prospects in baseball, period, per MLB.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Royals will likely roll with Perez and Jensen behind the plate next season. Perez just signed a two-year contract extension<\/a> and Jensen will embark on his first full campaign.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It\u2019s possible that Mitchell makes the leap to Double-A Northwest Arkansas at some point next season. Given the Royals\u2019 offseason plans \u2014 to add an impact bat<\/a> \u2014 it\u2019s also possible other clubs inquire about him in trade talks.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For now, Mitchell remains an important piece of the future. He was selected eighth overall in the 2023 MLB Draft and has plenty of upside. He is the club\u2019s No. 2 prospect, behind Jensen.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m super excited for that opportunity,\u201d Mitchell said of another spring training with the Royals. \u201cHopefully, this year goes a little bit different and hopefully injury free. Just get to go out there and play my game. Not worry about the bad things that could possibly happen. You know, just play with my mind free. Just go out there, have a good mentality, good attitude and just go play hard.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\nBlake Mitchell\u2019s first major injury<\/h2>\n
A chance to showcase his offense<\/h2>\n
What\u2019s next for Royals\u2019 No. 2 prospect?<\/h2>\n