Kansas City Royals Breakout MLB Prospects Entering 2024

Breakout Prospects

Austin Charles, SS

Preseason rank: 13
BA Grade: 50. Risk: Extreme.

TRACK RECORD: Charles was one of the top two-way players in the 2022 draft but had to wait until the final round to hear his name called. He was expected to fulfill his commitment to UC Santa Barbara, but the Royals inked him to an over-slot $429,500 bonus right before the signing deadline after bringing him to their Arizona complex for a visit. Charles briefly debuted in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League in 2022 and spent the bulk of 2023 with Low-A Columbia, where he impressed observers with his size, athleticism and makeup.

SCOUTING REPORT: The report on Charles’ hitting ability always starts with his 6-foot-6 height and long levers. He still presents swing-and-miss issues, especially against breaking balls out of the zone, but Charles has plus raw power and has worked hard to develop his game. He gets leverage from his long arms and has gotten stronger since joining the organization, while showing the ability to hit velocity. Evaluators are impressed by his ability to handle shortstop despite his size. His soft hands, limber movements, instincts, internal clock, extreme athleticism and plus arm provide the framework for an above-average defender on the left side of the infield.

THE FUTURE: There’s a lot to dream on with Charles, who is one of the most intriguing prospects in the Royals’ system. He likely will return to Low-A for more seasoning to open the 2024 season but could push himself to High-A Quad Cities with a strong showing.

Scouting Grades
Hitting: 45. Power: 60. Run: 50. Fielding: 55. Arm: 60.

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David Sandlin, RHP

Preseason rank: 19
BA Grade: 45. Risk: High.

Track Record: Sandlin was a successful pitcher at Eastern Oklahoma State JC before transferring to Oklahoma in 2022, where he started for a Sooners team that reached the College World Series. The Royals signed him to an above-slot $397,500 bonus that year in the 11th round. Sandlin was dynamic in his full-season debut in 2023, striking out 79 and walking 13 in 12 starts for Low-A Columbia. He was promoted to High-A Quad Cities on June 23 and made a pair of starts before a lat injury ended his season. Sandlin’s 25.5 K-BB% ranked 11th among minor league starters with at least 50 innings.

Scouting Report: While he has a four-pitch mix, Sandlin relies most heavily on the mid-90s fastball that touches 97 mph and has above-average ride. Sandlin’s preferred secondary is a mid-80s slider with horizontal break and high spin rates. He also throws a low-80s curveball with two-plane break and bite, and he mixes in a changeup that breaks like a splitter as well. He’s still refining his arsenal—especially his secondaries—so there’s a chance they continue to improve. The fastball and slider are above-average offerings right now, and some believe he may profile best in the bullpen, where he can dominate with those pitches alone.

The Future: Sandlin is a sleeper who could take a jump forward in 2024 if he improves the rest of his arsenal. He should begin the year with High-A Quad Cities.

Scouting Grades
Fastball: 55. Curveball: 50. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 50.

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Ramon Ramirez, C

Preseason rank: 21
BA Grade: 50. Risk: Extreme.

Track Record: Of the few Dominican Summer League players that the Royals brought to their fall instructional league, Ramirez stood out the most. The native Venezuelan signed for just $57,500 in 2023 but quickly jumped to the head of the Royals’ international class after torching the DSL to the tune of a .344/.440/.615 line and eight homers in 41 games. His 1.055 OPS would have ranked among the tops in the DSL had he qualified, and his eight home runs tied for eighth among all hitters.

Scouting Report: Ramirez has feel to hit with an advanced, powerful swing that shows excellent adjustability and barrel accuracy. He can also handle velocity, projecting the ability to hit for both average and power. His 90th percentile exit velocity of roughly 102 mph in the DSL was well above-average for the level. Like any young catcher, Ramirez has work to do on all facets of his defense. But he has a foundation that indicates he can one day be a plus defender with a plus arm. Both his throwing and receiving improved throughout the season. He’s a below-average runner who could slow down as he matures.

The Future: An exciting prospect at a premium position, Ramirez still has a lot of development ahead. He’ll stay in Arizona in 2024 with an assignment to the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League.

Scouting Grades:
Hitting: 55. Power: 55. Run: 40. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.