Righthander Ben Kudrna reached High-A Quad Cities for the first time last summer. He ran up a 5.36 ERA in eight starts, but those negative results yielded positive development.
The 21-year-old Kudrna returned to Quad Cities this season and recorded a 2.45 ERA with 32 strikeouts and nine walks through 25.2 innings.
After his 2023 struggle, Kudrna reported to spring training both physically and mentally stronger, meeting the goals set out for him at the end of last season. The added strength gave his fastball more life, while increased maturity had him better prepared to face Midwest League hitters.
Kudrna modified his repertoire this season. He added a sinker to his four-seam fastball, slider and changeup. His fastball was sitting in the mid 90s and touching 96 mph. His velocity could tick up as the weather warms.
Even more important is that Kudrna has become a smarter pitcher instead of just being a hard-thrower.
“The power pitching is still always going to be there, that’s a natural gift I have, always being able to throw hard,” Kudrna said. “Having developed a better changeup now and a better slider, the pitchability is definitely taking a giant leap.”
Perhaps the biggest improvement Kudrna made was realizing that to be successful, the best major league players live, breathe and sleep baseball.
“That’s the kind of level I took it to this offseason,” Kudrna said, “and I think the results are starting to show on the field.”
Kudrna grew up outside Kansas City and was drafted by his hometown Royals out of high school in the second round in 2021.
“He’s come a long way since we drafted him,” Royals farm director Mitch Maier said. “He’s doing a nice job and he’s put in a ton of work . . .
“We’ll look forward to him continuing to succeed and make the adjustments moving forward.”