The Kansas City Royals may not have the deepest farm system, but they’re proving that talent can still rise to the occasion as they prepare for a potential playoff run.
Few analysts predicted the Royals would be as competitive as they have been in 2024. After an active offseason, many believed they might flirt with playoff contention in the American League, but with 35 games left, Kansas City is in a prime position to secure a postseason spot.
The Royals have already surpassed their 56 wins from 2023 and are on pace to win 90 games for the first time since their 2015 World Series-winning season. As of Thursday, they hold a 71-56 record, leading the AL Wild Card race by 3.5 games and trailing the AL Central lead by just 2.5 games. With a run differential that only the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees surpass, the Royals have had a remarkable season, driven by strong pitching and an MVP-worthy campaign from Bobby Witt Jr.
As summer winds down, the excitement in Kansas City is building, especially with the prospect of meaningful baseball games continuing into football season—something the city hasn’t seen in a decade.
With the MLB roster expansion around the corner, the Royals have the opportunity to tap into their farm system and bring up some fresh talent for the final stretch. Despite being ranked in the bottom 10 overall, the Royals’ minor league system has a few players who are ready to make an impact at the major league level.
Homegrown Talent on the Rise
One of those prospects is Noah Cameron, a Missouri native and the Royals’ No. 12 ranked prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. Drafted in the seventh round in 2021, Cameron is having his best season as a professional, and the Royals might be tempted to promote the southpaw to the majors. Cameron made his Triple-A debut on July 31 and has been impressive in his four starts since.
The 25-year-old lefty has yet to allow more than one run in a Triple-A start, with each of his outings lasting at least six innings. His debut saw him strike out 10 batters over 6 2/3 innings, and he followed that up with three more quality starts, striking out 20 batters while allowing just 10 hits.
In his most recent start, Cameron delivered his best performance of the season, giving up just one hit over six scoreless innings and striking out seven. While his control slipped slightly with three walks and a hit batter, his overall performance has been stellar. Despite concerns about fatigue affecting his velocity late last season, Cameron has shown no signs of slowing down as September approaches. His changeup has been particularly effective at Triple-A, suggesting it could translate well to the majors.
The Royals’ rotation is among the best in the league, ranking third in ERA and second in fWAR and innings pitched. With the playoffs looming, Kansas City may consider promoting Cameron to give their current starters some rest. While Cameron isn’t yet on the Royals’ 40-man roster, his continued success will be hard to ignore.
A Promising Outfielder Ready for His Shot
Another prospect making waves is Tyler Gentry, the Royals’ No. 15 prospect. After a rocky start to his professional career following his selection in the 2020 MLB Draft, Gentry has been on fire over the past two months and could be in line for a major league debut before the season ends.
Gentry’s overall numbers may not jump off the page, but his second-half surge is impossible to overlook. In 36 games since the start of July, Gentry has slashed .336/.420/.557 with eight home runs, five doubles, and 25 RBIs. He’s had five multi-hit, multi-RBI games in that span.
Over his last 65 games, Gentry is hitting .299 with an .897 OPS, continuing the trend of strong second-half performances that began in 2023, when he posted a .901 OPS with 14 extra-base hits and 30 RBIs in the final 63 games. Impressed by his potential, the Royals added Gentry to their 40-man roster last November.
Kansas City’s outfield has been a weak spot this season, ranking near the bottom in OPS and wRC+. With Gentry showing he’s ready, a September call-up could provide a much-needed boost.
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