| Player: Ben Kudrna | |||||||||||
| Org: Kansas City Royals | Highest Level: Triple A | Position(s): RHP | |||||||||
| Height: 6’3″ | Weight: 175 lbs. | Bats: Right | Throws: Right | ||||||||
| Summary: Pitchability and a genuine changeup give Kudrna’s profile a functional foundation regardless of where the velocity sits on a given day. Working from a high three-quarter slot with a physical build and good feel for mixing speeds, the changeup is the separator — mid-to-upper-80s with fade and drop that generates strong chase rates and flashes plus when the feel is there. A hard, tight gyro slider in the mid-80s with above-average chase rates gives him a second reliable secondary, and the ability to work quickly with an understanding of how to sequence gives the arsenal more usability than the individual pitch grades might suggest. The fastball sits 92-93 and can touch 97, though the velocity hasn’t taken the developmental jump that the physical frame might project and the pitch lacks deception from the high slot — when it backs down toward the lower end of the band, hard contact becomes a more persistent issue. Velocity gains remain the most straightforward path to elevating the ceiling, and delivery and conditioning consistency heading into the current season give the organization a clear developmental focus. A curveball is in development as an additional shape but hasn’t found a consistent role in game settings yet. The swingman and bulk arm profile fits the current arsenal well — the changeup and pitchability give him the depth to handle multiple innings without the velocity having to carry everything, and the fastball-changeup foundation gives him a workable attack against both platoons. The back-end starter ceiling remains within reach if the velocity holds consistently at the upper end of that range. Kudrna is currently on the IL as he seeks a second opinion on his elbow. | |||||||||||
Shaun Kernahan is the founder and lead writer of Three Quarter Slot, where he blends scouting precision with a storyteller’s eye for the human side of the game. Based in Parker, Colorado, he has covered baseball prospects at every level since 2013, delivering in-depth evaluations, draft analysis, and developmental insight. Over the years, he has built Three Quarter Slot into a trusted home for thoughtful prospect coverage, detailed scouting reports, and a grounded look at how talent evolves
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