Royals' future looks even brighter after prospect's perfect outing

The Kansas City Royals sent a number of players to the Arizona Fall League earlier this month, including left-hander Justin Lamkin. Earlier this week, he threw 4⅓ perfect innings with four strikeouts. To date, Lamkin has a 3.97 ERA and a 0.70 WHIP across three AFL appearances.

Lamkin was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in 2025, but lost most of the 2026 season due to a shoulder injury. He was able to make eight starts in 2026 — six in High-A and then two in Double-A. Lamkin had 29 strikeouts to just five walks, and a 0.86 WHIP this season, and currently sits as the Royals' No. 8 prospect according to MLB Pipeline.

Because he has received so little experience since being drafted, the Royals decided to send him to the Arizona Fall League. The AFL is not known as a place where pitchers perform well, but that didn't seem to affect Lamkin during his last outing.

Royals prospect Justin Lamkin has put himself on the radar following a flawless performance in the AFL

Lampkin's performance in the Fall League is highly encouraging. He will be 23 years old heading into next season, and while it's unlikely he'll get any extended opportunities in the majors, it's not impossible. He's ETA is more in line with the 2028 season — a year in which the Royals will need more arms in the rotation.

Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo both have club options on their contracts for the 2028 season. If Wacha performs the way he did in 2026, the Royals will accept that with no problem, but Lugo has been on a downswing since his first year in Kansas City. All the other Royals starters are under team control through 2028, though Lamkin will certainly be an option.

Of the Royals' top pitching prospects, Lamkin is the only one remotely close to the majors. The lefty could be a player the Royals lean on in the not-too-distant future, and his showing in the AFL could make his arrival very exciting.

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