This Royals prospect is thriving in the minors. He could be KC’s next big star
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Royals promoted 18-year-old Kendry Chourio to High-A Quad Cities on Monday.
- Chourio posted a 1.88 ERA with 44 strikeouts and nine walks in 48 innings with Columbia.
- Royals praise Chourio’s plus fastball, curveball and changeup as key to his development.
The Kansas City Royals have promoted one of their top prospects. On Monday, the Royals elevated right-handed pitcher Kendry Chourio to High-A Quad Cities.
Chourio is just 18 years old. However, he has dominated opposing hitters since being acquired during the 2025 international signing period.
The stats are astounding.
Chourio posted a 1.88 ERA in 11 starts with the Columbia Fireflies — the Royals’ Single-A affiliate. He recorded 44 strikeouts and just nine walks in 48 innings pitched.
Additionally, Chourio jumped multiple levels in a short span. He began in the Dominican Summer League and finished in Columbia last season. Now, he is on the move again to face tougher competition.
“The better pitchers have always let you know when they’re ready to move and ready for the major leagues,” Royals senior director of pitching performance Paul Gibson said.
It became clear that Chourio was ready for a new challenge. In his last three starts, Chourio allowed four runs in 16 ⅓ innings. He won each outing and held opponents to a .193 batting average.
Chourio will face developed hitters with High-A Quad Cities. The Royals rave about his elite command that features a plus-fastball and two distinct off-speed pitches.
“His changeup and his curveball were both good pitches with higher ceiling,” Gibson said. “So like any young pitcher that has the velocity that Chourio has, running through lineups with that fastball-heavy attack is going to be a natural thing.”
The Royals suggested Chourio use his curveball for first-pitch strikes. They also helped him up the usage of his changeup. The club believes both pitches will be essential in helping Chourio realize his potential.
Chourio is one of the top pitchers in the minor-league system. He is joined by David Shields (No. 4), Ben Kudrna (No. 8) and Drew Beam (No. 10) on KC’s top prospects list.
“We’re putting things in front of them piece by piece,” Gibson said. “And happy to report that on most occasions they accept that challenge. And they are making those adjustments.”
Now in High-A, Chourio will become one of the youngest players at that level. He will not turn 19 years old until August 1.
The Royals initially signed him for $247,500 out of Maracaibo, Venezuela. According to MLB Pipeline reporter Sam Dykstra, Chourio is the youngest player to reach High-A since Eury Perez in 2021.
KC will have three of their top-4 prospects at Quad Cities. Chourio will join Shields and top overall prospect Blake Mitchell on the team.
“Both of these guys are very mature and have a really good idea of who they are as pitchers,” Gibson said.
