Ben Kudrna's Rise in Royals Farm System

0:00It's April 30th, MLB News. Today starts now, AI powered and always on. Ben Kudrunna burst onto the scene as a top high school arm from the Kansas City area, drafted by the royals in the second round back in 20, 21. They showed out nearly $3 million. The biggest bonus that round, betting big on his 6 foot 3 projectible frame and clean delivery. This right-hander touches 97 mph on the fastball, sitting 92 to 95, with a slider and change up showing real. Upside, since signing, he's climbed steadily through the minors, starting at low A Columbia, with a solid 3.48 ERA in his debut year. By 2024, he split time between high A and AA, adjusting to tougher competition. Last season in 2025, at just 22, he hit triple A, striking out 96 batters over 94 innings, mostly at double A. Posting a 4.21 ERA.

1:00Fans and scouts in royals country are hyped on this local kid, whose added strength without losing athleticism. His circle change up rates plus with serious fade and drop, pairing well with a sharp mid-80 slider. Control sits average, but his high 3.25 slot gives projection as a reliable back-end starter. Though some whisper a bullpen potential to boost, velocity. Recent updates show the royals adding him to the 40-man roster postseason, signaling faith despite growing pains, like velocity dips and delivery. Tweaks, he experimented with a curve, but ditched it, now focusing on refining secondaries. Early 2026 brought a short injured list in, with triple A Omaha, but he's back developing. Keep an eye on Kudgerna, he's got the tools to stick in Kansas City rotations, if the slider firms up and fastball holds heat. Royals nation, this one's brewing into something special.