Blake Mitchell: Royals 2024 Minor League Player Of The Year
After Blake Mitchell’s first foray into pro ball started slowly, there was a bit of concern.
The sample was small in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League, but the catcher didn’t perform to the level expected of the eighth overall pick in the 2023 draft.
Still, the Royals sent Mitchell to Low-A Columbia to begin 2024. Though the 20-year-old struggled initially, an adjustment to his stance—designed to add more athleticism—led to a breakthrough.
“(His stance) was very wide, beginning a little more quad-dominant with the swing,” Royals director of hitting performance Drew Saylor said, adding that narrowing Mitchell’s stance allowed his swing to work more efficiently and helped him use the whole field and lean into more power.
Mitchell finished his time in Columbia with a batting line of .238/.376/.439 with 18 home runs in 106 games. His .815 OPS ranked second in the Carolina League and he ranked second with 79 walks.
That he posted those numbers while enduring the physical and mental tolls of everyday catching makes his season even more impressive. Mitchell did an admirable job of receiving, game-planning and working with pitchers, according to Royals farm director/field coordinator Mitch Maier.
Perhaps the most surprising stat from Mitchell, who grades as a below-average runner, is the 25 bases he stole in 32 attempts.
Maier credits Mitchell’s instincts for helping him on the bases.
“Paying attention to finding those margins that put them in a situation to take the base,” Maier said. “A lot goes into the mindset of wanting to be a really good baserunner.”
After getting a taste of High-A ball at Quad Cities late in the season, Mitchell will know what to expect when he returns to that level next season, especially when it comes to making more adjustments.
“He’s getting himself in a little bit better position to hit,” Maier said. “We know players will have to evolve and make minor adjustments throughout their careers.”
