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Boy, if Kansas City Royals prospect hounds did not already have a polarizing view on prospect Blake Mitchell<\/a>, MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 update will not help things. The MLB Pipeline team put together a pre-draft update for their top 100 prospects<\/a> in the game, a ranking that has not been kind to the Royals since the prospect days of shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n This update was especially unkind to Mitchell, who was the only top-50 ranked prospect to fall out of the rankings altogether. That is a steep drop that should not be taken lightly. But the Pipeline team’s reasoning remains sound as Mitchell battles in High-A.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “Mitchell\u2019s power, patience and ability to lift the ball remain tantalizing, but his overall contact rate has taken a step back from 2025 to 2026, leading him to continue to strike out in more than one-third of his High-A plate appearances. It\u2019s an untenable trend for this T100 list.”<\/p>\n Sam Dykstra, MLB Pipeline<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n “Untenable” is the right word to describe Mitchell at the plate right now. Sure, he is on pace for a 20\/20 season with 13 home runs and 16 stolen bases through 67 High-A games, but his 24.6% walk rate and 34.8% strikeout rate are impossible to ignore. That puts him squarely in the three-true-outcomes profile, a spot that is hard to carry from the farm to the majors<\/a>. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n He is also being more passive than ever, yet still making contact at a career-low 57.6% rate. For reference, the worst qualified MLB batter in that regard is Oneil Cruz, who has a 64.6% contact rate.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Blake Mitchell falls from 50 to NR. Not a talent issue. It\u2019s a development issue.<\/p>\n 19% Chase Rate, just a 38% swing rate (12th perc.) and 69% zone contact rate (6th perc)<\/p>\n Need to let chase be in the profile. Need to develop the passivity out to let the power eat. https:\/\/t.co\/xZYqYVbnAT<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Preston Farr (@royalsminors) June 30, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n <\/p>\n The Texas native is likely still dealing with the aftereffects of a fractured hamate bone in his right hand, which limited him to 60 games last year. He had an up-and-down year with the Quad Cities River Bandits but posted some exemplary metrics and a .745 OPS in 19 Arizona Fall League games last year. He earned an invite to big league camp this past spring, but still looks far, far away from being a big league regular<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This update leaves the Royals with two Top 100 prospects, though. Right-handed pitcher Kendry Chourio comes in at 70th, while 2025 draftee Josh Hammond sits at 87th. Both have had solid starts to the 2026 season, headlined by Chourio earning a promotion to High-A at just 18 and Hammond slashing .375\/.444\/.550 in his last 10 games at Low-A. Kansas City still lacks the overall prospect power that most other teams have, and that feels even more empty with most of the pipeline not ready for The Show.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mitchell was already an unpopular first-round selection back in 2023, and this fall in his prospect profile will not help matters.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n
Blake Mitchell’s 2026 results don’t cement him in the Royals’ future plans.<\/h2>\n
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