Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 55 | Overall: 50

Shields reclassified his senior season at Mt. Lebanon (Penn.) HS and was still just 17 on Draft Day when the Royals selected him in the second round and signed him for a $2.3 million bonus to pass on his commitment to Miami. A multisport athlete as the starting quarterback and top starting pitcher in high school, Shields' decision to quit football and focus on baseball paid off. He pitched on the backfields and in instructional league after the Draft last summer, so his official pro debut will come in 2025.

Shields was around 93-94 mph with his fastball at instructs in late ‘24, and the Royals expect some more power as he physically matures. The pitch has some deception to it, helped along by Shields’ good extension. His fringe-average breaking ball blends between a slider or curveball depending on who is assessing the pitch, but it typically sits in the low 80s and has the potential to be above average with consistency. Shields has flashed a circle changeup with good armside fade, but that will be a focus for him in his first full year.

Shields already shows good command and is a great athlete with a projectable body and a clean and simple delivery. His makeup is strong, and he's already growing into a mature pro and competitor. He has upside as a starter, potentially even a No. 2 or 3, and the Royals will develop him as such. They’ll manage his innings like most of their prep pitchers out of the Draft, but he's been tremendous out of the gate at Single-A in 2025.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55 | Overall: 45

A two-sport standout who was the starting quarterback and top starting pitcher for Mt. Lebanon High School in Pittsburgh, Shields was looking like he might be one of the more intriguing arms in the class of 2025. A decision to give up football and reclassify for the 2024 Draft immediately created some buzz, as did his performance at summer showcase events like Major League Baseball’s PDP League. A bout with mono just prior to the start of his senior season slowed him out of the gate, but scouts were watching him as he returned to the mound and the weather in southwest Pennsylvania warmed. He went in the second round to the Royals in July and signed for right around slot at $2.3 million.

Athletic and super-projectable, Shields has plenty of raw stuff, and it’s easy to dream on more in the tank to come. He has starting pitcher traits, starting with a fastball that’s up to 94 mph now. He can throw it to both sides of the plate, and thanks to some deception and solid ride with good extension, it misses a good amount of bats. So does his above-average slider -- a low-80s sweeper he can land for strikes and use to expand the zone. He also has good feel for an average changeup.

Shields’ athleticism is a plus on the mound, helping him to repeat his delivery consistently. Everything comes out easy for the left-handed former University of Miami recruit, and he can throw all of his pitches for strikes. He was still only 17 at the time of the Draft, another plus, and the Royals will have plenty of developmental runway to work with in the years to come.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55 | Overall: 50

A two-sport standout who was the starting quarterback and top starting pitcher for Mt. Lebanon High School in Pittsburgh, Shields was looking like he might be one of the more intriguing arms in the class of 2025. A decision to give up football and reclassify for the 2024 Draft immediately created some buzz, as did his performance at summer showcase events like Major League Baseball’s PDP League. A bout with mono just prior to the start of his senior season slowed him out of the gate, but scouts were watching him as he returned to the mound and the weather in southwest Pennsylvania warmed.

Athletic and super-projectable, Shields has plenty of raw stuff and it’s easy to dream on more in the tank to come. He has starting pitcher traits, starting with a fastball that’s up to 94 mph now. He can throw it to both sides of the plate, and thanks to some deception and solid ride with good extension, it misses a good amount of bats. So does his above-average slider -- a low-80s sweeper he can land for strikes and use to expand the zone. He also has good feel for an average changeup.

Shields’ athleticism is a plus on the mound, helping him to repeat his delivery consistently. Everything comes out easy for the left-handed Miami recruit, and he can throw all of his pitches for strikes. He’ll still be 17 come Draft time, another plus, with the chance for him to have a big up arrow next to his name as the spring unfolds.

Awards

Baseball America Low Class A All-Star

Year	Team
2025

CAR Post-Season All-Star

Year	Team
2025

CAR Pitcher of the Year

Year	Team
2025

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	05/13/2025	LHP David Shields assigned to Columbia Fireflies from ACL Royals.
	03/06/2025	activated LHP David Shields.
	08/05/2024	ACL Royals activated LHP David Shields.
	08/05/2024	LHP David Shields assigned to ACL Royals.
	07/21/2024	Kansas City Royals signed LHP David Shields.
	06/16/2024	College Workout activated LHP David Shields.
	06/11/2024	LHP David Shields assigned to College Workout.
	08/09/2023	LHP David Shields assigned to High School Workout.