Surging Royals prospect is already making a case for 2027 roster spot

The Kansas City Royals have done a decent job of surrounding Bobby Witt Jr. with a solid core of young players. From Carter Jensen to Jac Caglianone, there is enough exciting talent on the team to feel optimistic about the future. While the 2026 season didn’t exactly go according to plan, there is a strong foundation for a resurgence next season. That bounce back year could even feature outfield prospect Carson Roccaforte, who has unleashed a king-sized helping of power in the Royals’ minor league system. 

The 24-year-old has belted 35 home runs in the minors throughout his breakout season. This includes 30 dingers in just 110 games for Double-A Northwest Arkansas. After being promoted to Triple-A Omaha in August, Roccaforte has continued his power surge. Not only has this caught the attention of scouts, but it could put the outfielder into consideration for a spot on the Royals’ roster in 2027. 

The Royals may have taken a few steps back this season to put it kindly, but that doesn’t mean that the team will remain on a downward trajectory. A number of unfortunate injuries to the pitching staff left the team scrambling right out of the gate. Compounding the problem was horrible seasons from relievers like Lucas Erceg and Matt Strahm, which cost the Royals plenty of winnable games. By switching to an offense-first approach next season, the team could take the pressure off of a revamped pitching staff. 

With Roccaforte waiting in the wings, the Royals may have part of their solution staring them in the face.      

Carson Roccaforte could inject even more power into Royals’ 2027 lineup 

Since being drafted by the Royals in the 2nd round of the 2023 MLB Draft, Roccaforte has shown some impressive pop in his bat. When he was selected by the club, scouts saw the potential in Roccaforte’s power thanks to his effortlessly smooth lefty swing. Over time, he was viewed as a player capable of hitting more than 20 home runs a season.   

Throughout his development in the Royals’ minor league system, Roccaforte showed glimpses of realizing that potential. But it wasn’t until 2026 that he really leaned into becoming a power hitter. Through his first three minor league seasons, his previous career high in home runs in a season was 18 in 2025. He’s nearly doubled that this season. 

While he has yet to prove himself at the big league level, the Royals would be wise to tap into Roccaforte's power surge. The club rode out Caglianone’s massive struggles in 2025 and he has rewarded them with a breakout season of his own in 2026. Penciling Roccaforte into the Royals’ lineup could offer the team the extra source of power that they have been missing all season, even if it means enduring his growing pains.    

Through 146 games, the Royals offense have scored 624 runs on the season. That puts them well below the league average of 651 runs scored. The same could be said about the Royals’ inability to hit the long ball. At 152 home runs, the club is once again being outpaced by the league average. To make matters worse, 40 percent of those home runs are just from Witt Jr., Jensen, and Caglianone. 

Even though the 2026 season offered little to be excited about, the Royals are not too far off from becoming serious postseason contenders again. With an AL Central division that continues to be winnable year after year, the Royals won’t have to dig deep to punch their next playoff ticket. Royals GM J.J. Picollo sought out veteran outfielders last off-season to round out the team and provide production. That move failed to pay off. 

Piccolo would be better suited to look inward next year. And Roccaforte could be exactly who he has been looking for.      

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