2. Jackson Kowar, RH SP. AA Northwest Arkansas. Top 75
Kowar is a lanky righty with a plus mid-90s fastball, a plus-plus changeup, and a breaking ball that reports say have made big strides. He has handled the jump to AA more easily than his long-time teammate Brady Singer because of the swing and miss ability of the secondaries. Ultimate upside probably tops out as a solid #2/good #3 starter, but that’s a nice return.

3. Daniel Lynch, LH SP. A+ Wilmington*. Top 100
Lynch is working his way back from a forearm injury (apparently avoiding Tommy John surgery), but when healthy has some of the nastiest stuff in the system. Mid-90s fastball paired with a sharp, late-breaking slider, and a solid changeup. Like Kowar, could top out as a solid #2, good #3 starter. Might have a tick more upside than Kowar due to handedness and the wipeout breaking ball.

4. Brady Singer, RH SP. AA Northwest Arkansas. Top 100
Singer’s story is going to come down to what type of off-speed pitches he can bring together. His fastball is a plus pitch with great natural movement, and he is a bulldog on the mound who excels mentally. His breaking ball and changeup are both best as “third” pitches at the moment. One needs to take a step forward or he needs to find a new pitch to generate more swing and miss. Has been mostly good at AA, though he has been subjected to 2 beat-up starts (3.48 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 7.3 K/9 in 31 IP over 6 other starts). His floor and ceiling are similar - as a good 4/5 starter unless he finds a secondary that can be more of a weapon.

6. Kyle Isbel, OF/2B. A+ Wilmington. Fringe 100 (100-200 range)
This is an aggressive ranking for Isbel, but I think the Royals found a real gem here. The offensive numbers he’s putting up in a nightmarish park and league for young hitters are eye-popping. David DeJesus comps have been thrown around, but Isbel has more defensive versatility and looks to have a touch more power. I can see a DeJesus-like profile, except with an extra grade of pop (50 vs. 40).

7. Khalil Lee, OF, AA Northwest Arkansas. Fringe 100 (100-200 range)
Lee is a potential 5-tool talent with the defense, speed, and on-base ability to be a solid starter at the major league level. He flashes 50 power at times and has more raw power than he has consistently translated to games. If he can find more of that in game action, Lee could be the type of all-around contributor prime Alex Gordon was (plus defender, .270/.360/.475 hitter, with 25+ SBs). If the power never shows up consistently, Lee’s profile might lack the power you’d want to see in a corner OF.

8. Jonathan Bowlan, RH SP. A+ Wilmington. Fringe 100 (100-200 range)
Bowlan has been hot at both A and A+. He’s a BIG pitcher (6-6, 260+) with a plus fastball, plus breaking ball, and solid changeup. He has overwhelmed most of his competition so far and probably needs to be moved on to the next challenge. With his pitch mix and polish, Bowlan’s upside is just a notch below Lynch and Kowar.

10. Brady McConnell, SS/CF.
Speaking of potential all-star players, McConnell definitely has the tools to be one. His early returns haven’t been mind-blowing, but they have been good. McConnell is so athletic and has so much upside, it’s easy to dream. In a system that doesn’t really have a CF prospect who projects to hit for much power at the major league level, I love the idea of moving McConnell to CF. He also might end up at 2B, though the concerns with his D at short are about his hands and consistency (which also would be problems at 2B). McConnell has the skills to be a similar player as Witt – a guy who hits for solid average (.275) with good pop (25+) and speed combos.

11. Evan Steele, LHP, Lexington. (Helium for 2020)
The Royals took Steele out of JUCO a few years ago, and he hasn’t pitched much. 2019 is his first consistent action on the mound for KC, and the early returns have been promising. Steele has just as much talent as Lynch or Kowar – at 6-5 with a plus fastball and potential plus breaking ball. He has been dominant at Lexington. He’ll be a top 10 guy in this system next year – even if no one currently in it graduates.

12. Gabe Cancel, 2B. AA Northwest Arkansas. 200+
Cancel is often overlooked in ranking Royals prospects, but the 2B is one of the league leaders in HR in the Texas League, which warrants watching. He might not stick at 2B long term, which would place a lot more pressure on his bat. If he can stick at 2B, Cancel could be kind of a Jon Schoop-lite player.

13. Jon Heasely, RH SP. A Lexington. 200+
The Okalahoma State product has been dominant at Lexington. He’s not gathering the same attention as his more advanced 2018 draftmates, but Heasely has been putting up impressive strikeout numbers. He’s a nice depth SP who might end up as more.

14. Zack Haake, RH SP. A Lexington. 200+
Like Heasly, Haake’s strikeout numbers at Lexington are impressive. He has better pure stuff than Heasely but is walking too many hitters. Haake is a good depth piece who may be best suited for the back end of the bullpen.

15. Yohanse Morel, RH SP. A Lexington. 200+ (Helium for 2020)
Morel was the big return in the trade of Kelvin Herrera last season. He has a lot of arm talent, a good slider, and is going to be fun to watch.
16. M.J. Melendez, C, A+ Wilmington. 200+
Melendez has had a disastrous campaign in Wilmington. His swing and miss issues have exploded onto him and are killing his production. He still has plus raw power and the skills to be a plus C, but Melendez HAS to make an adjustment to cut the K rate or he’s not going to remain in real prospect consideration.

Speculation: From pictures at the start of the season, it looked like Melendez put on a LOT of muscle mass in his upper body. Part of me wonders if he didn’t get too big and bulky and lose some of the flexibility in his core and arms needed to contact the baseball.

17. Nick Pratto, 1B, A+ Wilmington. 200+
Pratto, like Melendez, got off to an atrocious start to the season. Unlike Melendez, he seems to have adjusted and is continuing to have success with the adjustment. As a 1B, Pratto’s bat has to stick. If I were the Royals, I might repeat him at Wilmington next year to see if his second-half success can be sustained.

18. Carlos Hernandez, RH SP.
Hernandez is a big, physical righty who can hold his own against the best pitchers in the system on pure stuff. He has been hurt for much of 2019 and has struggled when healthy, but the big arm and plus pure stuff remain. Due to SP depth, Hernandez might end up in the pen.

19. Yefri del Rosario, RH SP, A Lexington. 200+
del Rosario was plucked from the FA ranks after the Braves got popped for cheating in Latin America, and has flashed solid potential at times. He has an advanced approach on the mound and could be a quality back-end rotation arm down the road.

20. Brewer Hicklen, CF, A+ Wilmington. 200+
Hicklen is one of those toolsy CF types the Royals just love, but his production at Wilmington this year might indicate he has a chance to be a solid major leaguer. Hicklen has the speed and glove to stick in CF and swipe 20+ bags in the show. He also has intriguing raw power. He’ll be worth watching at AA and beyond.

21. Seuly Matias, RF, A+ Wilmington. 200+
What a nightmare. Matias has been shelved for most of the season, and what he did before the season wasn’t good. The strikeout issues are hugely concerning. And injuries are now a concern, too, after they cut his 2018 short and look to be doing the same to 2019.

Matias’ raw power is still incredibly intriguing, but if his approach isn’t fixed soon, the highlight of his career is going to end up being hitting an opposite field HR in the 2018 futures game.

22. Michael Gigliotti, CF, A+ Wilmington. 200+
Gigs got off to a nice start at Lexington coming off 2018 ACL surgery, but he also has struggled with the bat at Wilmington. At his best, he’s the CF version of Nicky Lopez (though maybe with a touch more speed).

23. Austin Cox, LHP, A+ Wilmington. 200+
Cox is the least-heralded member of the 2-18 pitching group, but he has produced as well. I think he ends up as a lefty in the pen, where his stuff would play up a touch and he could be a 7th/8th inning weapon.

24. Wilmin Candelario, SS, Dominican RL. 200+
Candelario is a switch hitting SS with great tools who is putting up impressive offensive totals as a 17-year old in the Dominican rookie league. He has a rep as a strong defender, and his speed and power offer a bunch of potential. He’s worlds away from the major leagues right now, but the upside is exciting. Candelario has drawn some comps to Adalberto Mondesi in terms of physical ability… and they aren’t crazy.

25. Darryl Collins, OF, Arizona RL. 200+
Let’s round out my top 25 with another really young international signing. Collins is a Dutch signee who has crushed the ball in Arizona’s rookie league. He’s a good all-around athlete who is showing power and a good batting eye. Like Candelario, still a long ways off, but also someone who could POP UP in 2020.

Tyler Zuber, RHP, A+ Wilmington.
Zuber was drafted as a reliever and has had success every step up the chain. Good breaking pitch makes him a potential back-end contributor.

Yunior Marte, RHP, AA Northwest Arkansas
Marte is a durable bullpen guy with some swing and miss ability. Could be a nice 7th inning guy as soon as 2020.