Yandel Ricardo

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Kansas City Royals #10 prospect in 2025
  BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme.
  
  Track Record: One of the top 10 international prospects for the 2024 signing class and the top player from Cuba, Ricardo signed with the Royals for a $2.4 million bonus. Beginning his career in the Dominican Summer League, he started slowly while still flashing an impressive set of tools, and finished strong in the last month of the DSL season, with an .808 OPS in his final 25 games. Ricardo came to the Royals’ complex in Arizona in mid September for the organization’s fall instructional league program. He showed steady progress over the next three weeks, with one game near the end in which he doubled twice and homered.
  
  Scouting Report: Each of Ricardo’s tools grades as average or better, with his hit tool projecting as above-average. He has a smooth, repeatable swing with plus impact potential from both sides of the plate. He tends to expand the zone and can be too aggressive—he struck out at a 17.3% rate in the DSL—but he shows the ability to handle velocity and can adjust when in deep counts. Observers who saw him regularly in the DSL believe he will be a plus shortstop defender in time. He has agility, quick feet and a plus arm, provided he doesn’t outgrow the shortstop position. The question is whether Ricardo will retain the twitch and athleticism as he adds strength, but his bat should play if he needs to move to second or third base. At best, he’s an average runner with solid instincts who displays a good work ethic.
  
  The Future: Ricardo will likely open his U.S. career in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League, though the Royals haven’t been hesitant to move some of their more advanced international prospects right to Low-A Columbia.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Field: 60 | Arm: 60.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Field: 60 | Arm: 60.
• 
  Ranked Kansas City Royals #6 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 55/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Ricardo was not only the top Cuban player available in the international period that opened on Jan. 15, 2024, he was also one of the top prospects overall. He blends athleticism and baseball skills into a package that makes him one of the bigger up-arrow prospects in the class, signing with the Royals for $2.4 million.
  
  Scouting Report: Ricardo is a switch-hitter with direct swings from both sides of the plate that allow him to open up the entire field. His swing from the right side is further ahead than his lefty stroke. He has doubles power now but could grow into much more as he matures and gains physicality. That added strength could push him to second or third base, but he has enough potential with the bat to profile at either position. He has average speed and arm strength.
  
  The Future: Ricardo will likely make his debut in the Dominican Summer League, where he has the chance to be one of the league’s best players.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50