Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55

Ricardo is a strong, physical infielder with a chance to be an impact power bat in the future. He is a natural right-hander but has hit from the left side since he was young. The teen prospect now flashes power potential from both sides of the plate and could evolve into an offensive threat as he progresses.

He already shows easy power from the right side and uses his compact swing to drive the ball to all fields with authority. Defensively, Ricardo has soft hands and emerging arm strength. He currently plays shortstop and hopes to stick there but could eventually outgrow the middle infield and move to third.

Scouts have also raved about his leadership traits and have referred to him as a field general. He is mature and has been praised for his work ethic and makeup. Ricardo trains with Ysbel Medina in the Dominican Republic.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45

Ricardo was the top Cuban prospect in the 2024 international period and ranked No. 17 overall on MLB Pipeline’s International Prospects list. The Royals signed him to a $2.4 million bonus when the signing window opened, and he was one of the standouts in the Dominican Summer League that summer. Ricardo debuted stateside in 2025 and dominated the Arizona Complex League, with a .971 OPS in 33 games. Single-A Columbia challenged him more when he went there in June, posting a .212/.279/.268 slash line in 50 games.

The Royals signed Ricardo knowing he could play shortstop and believing in his bat, and that’s still the case now. With a smooth swing from both sides, Ricardo has untapped power potential but was aggressive with his swing decisions in Single-A and put too many balls on the ground. A tweak with his hands this past offseason has allowed him to be freer to the ball and drive the ball to the gaps at a higher rate, and he showed up in spring with more strength to his frame. Ricardo has the chance to be an above-average defender at shortstop, but evaluators could also see him moving to second or third. His arm is strong and his release point has improved, allowing him to be more accurate. Ricardo has quick hands and is a twitchy athlete. He’s not a burner on the bases but is an above-average runner.

Ricardo’s ceiling and role will ultimately depend on how his bat develops, because evaluators see at least a Major League defender. The good news is that there’s no need to rush him and he’ll likely get another crack at Single-A in 2026.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50

The Royals signed Ricardo, a Cuban native ranked No. 17 on MLB Pipeline’s international prospects list, to a $2.4 million bonus when the 2024 signing period opened. He debuted as a 17-year-old in the Dominican Summer League later that year, playing 45 games and slashing just .213/.330/.366. Ricardo only hit two homers and seven doubles but showed strong contact rates, only striking out at a 17.3% clip.

Ricardo went into pro ball with reports of raw power he showed before signing, although that didn’t turn up much in the small DSL sample. The switch-hitter has a compact and efficient swing withn untapped power potential, but he’s shown good bat speed on both sides and is quick with his hands. The left-handed swing is a little more efficient and smooth, so the damage might come more from that side. He’s still very young and needs to add strength as he grows into his 6-foot-1 frame, but his contact rates and feel for the strike zone are promising. Defensively, Ricardo might outgrow shortstop, but he has the plus arm strength, hands and instinct to stick there for now. He’s athletic and should be able to handle second or third base if he needs to move.

Ricardo came to Arizona in the fall for the Royals’ instructional league program and progressed over a few weeks there. He gets high marks for his makeup as a hard worker and good teammate. He got his first opportunity stateside in Rookie ball in 2025 and moved up to Single-A early after dominating the Arizona Complex League.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

MLB Pipeline’s No. 16-ranked international prospect when the 2024 signing period opened up in January, Ricardo is a 17-year-old with an incredibly high ceiling. The Royals signed the Cuban native for a $2.4 million bonus, and he’ll make his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League this summer.

Strong and physical, Ricardo is a switch-hitter with easy power, especially on the right side. A compact swing allows him to drive the ball to all fields with authority, and his doubles power now could turn into home run pop as he matures and fills out his 6-foot-1, 180-pound frame. Ricardo could outgrow the middle infield, but he has emerging arm strength and soft hands with the chance to stick at shortstop.

Ricardo is very young, and his development will take time, although he could dominate the Dominican complex circuit soon. He has a reputation already for his leadership, work ethic and makeup. He gives the Royals something to dream on for years down the road.

Awards

Baseball America Rookie All-Star

Year	Team
2025

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	03/05/2026	SS Yandel Ricardo assigned to Kansas City Royals Prospects.
	03/03/2026	SS Yandel Ricardo assigned to Kansas City Royals.
	06/23/2025	SS Yandel Ricardo assigned to Columbia Fireflies from ACL Royals.
	05/02/2025	SS Yandel Ricardo assigned to ACL Royals from DSL Royals Ventura.
	03/20/2025	SS Yandel Ricardo assigned to Kansas City Royals.
	03/06/2025	activated SS Yandel Ricardo.
	06/02/2024	SS Yandel Ricardo assigned to DSL Royals Ventura from DSL Royals Fortuna.
	02/06/2024	SS Yandel Ricardo assigned to DSL Royals Gold.
	01/17/2024	Kansas City Royals signed free agent SS Yandel Ricardo to a minor league contract.