Road to The Show™: Royals’ Mitchell
Each week, MiLB.com profiles an elite prospect by chronicling the steps he's taken toward achieving his Major League dream. Here's a look at second-ranked Royals prospect Blake Mitchell. For more stories about players on The Road to The Show, click here. Blake Mitchell’s numbers from his first full Minor League
Each week, MiLB.com profiles an elite prospect by chronicling the steps he's taken toward achieving his Major League dream. Here's a look at second-ranked Royals prospect Blake Mitchell. For more stories about players on The Road to The Show, click here.
Blake Mitchell’s numbers from his first full Minor League season might not jump off the page right away, but it was an objectively successful year for the 20-year old.
In 111 games between High-A Quad Cities and Single-A Columbia, he batted .232 with a .792 OPS. But he was one of only 11 players and the only catcher in the Minors with at least 18 homers and 25 stolen bases this season. He also recorded 16 doubles, 51 RBIs and drew 80 walks.
The Royals named him the George Brett Hitter of the Year, awarded to the organization’s best offensive player.
Scouts took notice of Mitchell’s improvements as well. In April, he was ranked MLB Pipeline’s No. 94 overall prospect but made a substantial leap to No. 52 by season’s end.
Mitchell learned to hit lefty when he was 3 years old by mirroring dad Kevin’s right-handed swing. He didn’t fare very well against southpaws this season, batting .179 with .571 OPS in 82 plate appearances.
Defensively, Mitchell’s best tool is his 70-grade arm strength -- he touched 97 mph as a prep pitcher -- although the 20-year-old did not have much success managing the running game this season. Mitchell needs some development as a receiver and blocker, but he has good instincts behind the plate, handles a pitching staff well and is quite athletic for the position.
“You talk about all the facets of his game -- he’s intelligent, he’s got makeup, he’s tough, he’s built right,” Royals scouting director Danny Ontiveros told MLB.com after last year’s Draft. “It’s a double-plus arm. He can hit for power. He runs. He just did everything. … We got a lot of looks, and he never disappointed. I think he’s going to be an impact player, middle-of-the-order bat, and his leadership fits everything else.”
The native of Clear Lake, Texas, was a rare two-time Gatorade Player of the Year as a catcher and a pitcher at Sinton High School and a well-known name on the showcase circuit as a prep prospect.
As a junior, Mitchell helped Sinton win the Texas 4A title, and in his final prep season, he hit .474 with a 1.543 OPS, six homers, 14 doubles and 41 RBIs. He also stole 35 bases and drew 51 walks while striking out just eight times.
Mitchell has actually already played a game at Kauffman Stadium, his potential future home ballpark. He was named MVP after driving in five runs in the Under Armour All-America Game at The K in 2022. That same year, he earned the win on the mound in the USA Baseball 18U national team's gold medal game at the WBSC Baseball World Cup.
MLB Pipeline ranked Mitchell as the No. 14 prospect in the 2023 class and the Royals jumped at the chance to draft him with the No. 8 overall pick. He decided to forgo his commitment to LSU and sign with the Royals for a reported $4.9 million, which was about $1 million less than slot value.
After signing, Mitchell reported to the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League, where he initially struggled. In 13 games, Mitchell batted .147, but he recorded more walks (17) than strikeouts (14) and reportedly had a strong showing after the season at fall instructs.
Mitchell had a tough spring, striking out in four of his five at-bats between the Royals' Spring Breakout game and his lone Cactus League appearance.
He spent almost all of 2024 with Columbia, and was named a Carolina League All-Star at the end of the season. He posted an .815 OPS with 18 homers, 16 doubles, 64 runs and 50 RBIs while drawing 79 walks and stealing 25 stolen bases.
He was promoted to Quad Cities, joining top Royals prospect Jac Caglianone, in September for the River Bandits' final regular-season series and their playoff tilt against Wisconsin. In seven games, he went 2-for-26 at the plate with a pair of runs scored and 11 strikeouts.
Mitchell was more than three years younger than the average Midwest League player. And he’s likely to return to the High-A circuit for the start of the 2025 season.
Mitchell has the strength, bat speed and patient approach to be more than just a power hitter. But he will have to learn to make adjustments and improve his bat-to-ball skills as he faces tougher competition. He's already shown an ability to adjust on the fly, telling MLB.com he began to unlock some power after widening his stance during the season in an effort to be “more athletic” at the plate.
Gerard Gilberto is a reporter for MiLB.com.
Dash Comeback Falls One Swing Short in Spartanburg
Spartanburg, SC (May 28, 2025) – Winston-Salem (16-31) comeback falls short as the Dash drop game two of the series against Hub City (25-22) by a 7-6 final. In a one-run game, with runners at the corners and two outs in the top of the ninth, the Dash had a
Dash Storm Back in Ninth to Best Spartanburgers
Spartanburg, SC (May 27, 2025) – Winston-Salem (16-30) stole game one of the six-game series against the Spartanburgers (24-22), 4-2; fueled by a four-run surge in the top of the ninth, the Dash opened up with a win in a series for a fourth time on the year. As Winston-Salem
Montgomery Delivers Dash’s Knockout Blow in Ninth-Inning Thriller
Winston-Salem, NC (May 24, 2025) – In improbable, walk-off fashion, Winston-Salem (15-29) bested Hudson Valley (28-15) with a 5-4 victory. A five-run bottom of the ninth, headlined by a Braden Montgomery two-RBI double, fueled the Dash comeback. When the Dash offense stepped to the plate in the home side of
Hudson Valley Downs Winston-Salem, 10-1
Winston-Salem, NC – The Winston-Salem Dash dropped game four of a six-game series to the Hudson Valley Renegades, 10-1, on Friday evening at Truist Stadium in front of 5,186 fans. Hudson Valley (28-14) struck right away. Brendan Jones doubled and scored on an error in the 1st inning giving the
Dash Fall to Renegades, 13-2
Winston-Salem, NC – The Winston-Salem Dash fell to the Hudson Valley Renegades, 13-2, on Thursday evening at Truist Stadium in front of 4,217 fans. Winston-Salem (14-28) jumped in front in the bottom of the first. Arxy Hernandez drove home Cole McConnell putting the Dash ahead, 1-0, after an inning. Dash
Winston-Salem Blasts Past Hudson Valley, 11-8
Winston-Salem, NC – Despite trailing three different times on the evening, the Winston-Salem Dash rallied to take game two of a six-game series, 11-8, over the Hudson Valley Renegades on Wednesday evening at Truist Stadium in front of 1,867 fans. Hudson Valley (26-14) plated two runs in the top of
Montgomery Named South Atlantic League Player of the Week
The Winston-Salem Dash have announced that Outfielder Braden Montgomery has been awarded South Atlantic League Player of the Week honors by Minor League Baseball for his performance during the week of May 6 to May 11. Montgomery, 22, showed up big for Winston-Salem in his home debut series, going 10-21
Dash Offense Held Down in Game 5 Defeat
Winston-Salem, NC (May 10, 2025) – Bowling Green (18-14) took game five of the six-game series over Winston-Salem (11-21) by a 7-0 final on Saturday. Powered by a late surge, the Hot Rods rattled off their third straight win over the Dash. When Madison Jeffrey took the mound in the
Early Deficit Dooms Dash
Winston-Salem, NC (May 8, 2025) – An early lead for Bowling Green (16-14) proved too much for Winston-Salem (11-19), who dropped a late Thursday contest 3-2. A two-hour rain delay didn’t dampen the Hot Rods' bats. With two outs in the top of the first inning, Mac Horvath gave the
More Montgomery Magic – Dash Walk-Off Bowling Green
Winston-Salem, NC (May 7, 2025) – The Dash (11-18) stunned Bowling Green (15-14) with four runs in the bottom of the ninth to win in walk-off fashion 7-6, in game two of the six-game series. The first Winston-Salem walk-off propelled the Dash to back-to-back home wins for the first time
Montgomery Strikes Twice
Winston-Salem, NC (May 6, 2025) – In their first game of the season, Winston-Salem (10-18) bested Bowling Green (15-13) in a 7-5 victory in front of 1,600 fans at Truist Stadium. Outfielder Braden Montgomery donned a Winston-Salem Dash jersey inside the friendly confines for the first time in his career.
MLB Pitcher Jesse Scholtens to Rehab with Winston-Salem Dash
In conjunction with the Chicago White Sox, the Winston-Salem Dash have announced that Major League pitcher Jesse Scholtens will begin a rehab assignment with the Winston-Salem Dash on Tuesday, May 6. Scholtens will be with the team for the home series against the Bowling Green Hot Rods from May 6
Braden Montgomery To Make Truist Stadium Debut
In conjunction with the Chicago White Sox, the Winston-Salem Dash have announced that outfielder Braden Montgomery will make his Truist Stadium debut this week against the Bowling Green Hot Rods. Montgomery is a native of Madison, MS, where his elite performance at Madison Central High School landed him a ranking
Late Heroics, Lockdown Arms Lift Grasshoppers to Twin Bill Sweep
Greensboro, NC (May 4, 2025) – In a double header sweep, Greensboro (19-8) took both games from Winston-Salem (9-18) by a combined three runs. The Grasshoppers took game one in a dramatic 9-8 walk-off and secured the series with a 3-1 win in the nightcap. Winston-Salem had its foot on
Grasshoppers Grind Out Win in a High-Scoring Game Four
Greensboro, NC (May 2, 2025) – Winston-Salem (9-16) dropped a seesaw affair to Greensboro (17-8) in game four of the six-game series. The Grasshoppers held onto the 11-9 victory despite a late push from the Dash. Unlike how the series had started, Friday’s matchup showcased an offensive battle between the
Grasshoppers Rally Past Dash with Six Unanswered Runs
Greensboro, NC (May 1, 2025) – The script was flipped by the Grasshoppers (16-8) on Thursday night, as six unanswered runs handed Winston-Salem (9-15) a 6-1 defeat. The Dash looked up at an early lead for a third game in a row against Greensboro, but this time, the Grasshoppers had
Perez Powers Dash Past Greensboro with Two-Homer Day
Greensboro, NC (April 30, 2025) – Backed by another phenomenal pitching performance, the Dash (9-14) emerged with their second straight victory and topped Greensboro (15-8) by a 6-3 final. Winston-Salem spent the entire month in search of a player to leave the yard twice in one game. When they closed
Winston-Salem Opens I-40 Series with Statement Shutout
Greensboro, NC (April 30, 2025) – For the first time in the 2025 season, Winston-Salem (8-14) shut out their opponent. The Greensboro Grasshoppers (15-7) were blanked, and the Dash walked out of the inaugural game of the series as 5-0 winners. Lucas Gordon of Winston-Salem, and Garrett McMillan for Greensboro
Seventh-Inning Surge Lifts Dash to Series Finale Victory
WINSTON-SALEM, NC - In the final of the six-game homestand and series against the Rome Emperors (12-9), the Winston-Salem Dash (7-14) won 4-1. A three-run bottom of the seventh pushed the Dash to their second victory in the series There was nothing flashy about the Dash victory on Sunday– just
Sixth-Inning Surge Sinks Dash in 4-1 Loss
WINSTON-SALEM, NC - Winston-Salem (6-13) could not carry the momentum from the no-hit victory into game four against Rome (11-8), and dropped to the Emperors 4-1. In direct contrast to the two days prior, Rome came out of the gates with an offensive entourage in the top of the first
Four Arms, No Hits – History at Home
WINSTON-SALEM, NC - April 24, 2025. A day that will live in Dash lore for years to come. Winston-Salem (6-12) silenced Rome (10-8) and stamped their name into the history books. Tommy Vail, Frankeli Arias, Madison Jeffrey, and Joseph Yabbour combined to throw the 16th no-hitter in Dash history in
Pitching Paved the Path, But the Dash Denied in Extras
WINSTON-SALEM, NC - A pitchers duel was on display at Truist Stadium as Winston-Salem (5-12) fell to the Rome Emperors (10-7) 2-1 in extra innings. Dash starter Lucas Gordon and Rome starter Garrett Baumann combined for 11.0 innings, six hits, and five strikeouts in a game that went scoreless for
Largest Crowd of the Season Can't Lift Dash Past Rome in 8-2 Loss
WINSTON-SALEM, NC - The Winston-Salem Dash (5-11) opened a six-game homestand against the Rome Emperors (9-7) in front of the 4,900 fans, made mostly of elementary school students for Education Day, at Truist Stadium, but dropped the series opener in an 8-2 contest. Students from across the Piedmont Triad ditched
Dash Suffer Familiar Fate as Greenville Walks Away with Series Win
Greenville, SC – Winston-Salem (5-10) had deja vu against Greenville (7-7) as the Drive piled on five runs in the fifth for a second straight game, and took the series with an 8-7 final. The Dash cut it to a one-run affair in the top half of the ninth, but
Greenville Grittiness bests Dash
Greenville, SC – Winston-Salem (5-9) had Greenville (6-7) on the ropes in multiple instances on Saturday, but were unable to put the Drive away. In the end, Andy Lugo walked it off for the residents of Fluor Field at the West End, and the Drive took the 10-9 victory in