Noah Cameron

Cameron was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the seventh round of the 2021 Major League Baseball draft,^[2] however, he did not pitch in 2021 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in August 2020.^[3]

Cameron returned from the injury for his first professional season in 2022, advancing from the rookie–level Arizona Complex League Royals to the Single–A Columbia Fireflies, and then the High–A Quad Cities River Bandits.^[3] He split the 2023 season between Quad Cities and the Double–A Northwest Arkansas Naturals, accumulating a 5-12 record and 5.28 ERA with 132 strikeouts across 107+1⁄3 innings pitched.

Cameron split the 2024 campaign between Northwest Arkansas and the Triple–A Omaha Storm Chasers, compiling a 7–6 record and 3.08 ERA with 149 strikeouts across 128+2⁄3 innings pitched over 25 starts. Following the season, the Royals added Cameron to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.^[4]

Cameron was optioned to Triple-A Omaha to begin the 2025 season.^[5] On April 30, 2025, Cameron was promoted to the major leagues for the first time.^[6] In his debut against the Tampa Bay Rays, he went 6+1⁄3 innings before allowing a hit, striking out three and earning his first career win.^[7]

In his first Major League season, Cameron had a win–loss record of 9–7 and posted a 2.99 ERA with 114 strikeouts over 138+1⁄3 and 24 games, all starts. He placed fourth in AL Rookie of the Year voting, behind unanimous winner Nick Kurtz of the Athletics, his teammate Jacob Wilson, and Roman Anthony of the Boston Red Sox.^[8]

• Career statistics from MLB · ESPN · Baseball Reference · Fangraphs · Baseball Reference (Minors) · Baseball Almanac