Royals Eye Promising Talent in Upcoming MLB Draft

With the MLB Draft just a month away, excitement is building around the Kansas City Royals as they prepare for a pivotal selection at the No. 6 overall pick. Scheduled to take place during All-Star week in Philadelphia starting July 11, this draft is shaping up to be a strong one, featuring an impressive array of college hitters and a deep pool of high school pitchers. The Royals benefitted from the draft lottery, elevating their position and providing them with a unique opportunity to land a potential franchise player.

At the top of the draft class, UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky is widely regarded as the consensus best player, likely to be selected first overall by the White Sox. Following him, prep shortstop Grady Emerson and Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey are also expected to be picked early. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel highlights that after this elite trio, the next tier of talent includes high school shortstop Jacob Lombard, outfielder Eric Booth Jr., and college pitcher Jackson Flora. With one of the six highest bonus pools in the draft, the Royals could maneuver strategically, potentially opting for an under-slot deal that allows them to secure a first-round talent later on.

In the world of mock drafts, Kansas City’s name has been consistently linked to a select group of players, particularly Lombard, Booth, and left-handed pitcher Gio Rojas. Lombard, a right-handed bat with a strong baseball lineage—his father George played in the majors and his brother is a Yankees prospect—has gained recognition as a five-tool player, praised for his baseball IQ and coachability. Keith Law of The Athletic suggested in an early May mock draft that the Royals would play it safe and select Lombard, a sentiment echoed by many other analysts, though some doubt he will be available at their pick.

Booth, a 70-grade runner known for his impressive bat speed, is another top candidate. Evaluators believe his left-handed swing could translate into significant power at the major league level. He showcased his potential by winning the home run derby at the Perfect Game All-American Classic. Joel Reuter from Bleacher Report predicts the Royals might select Booth, highlighting his potential as a “20-homer, 40-steal everyday center fielder.” Law has indicated that Kansas City plans to take either Lombard or Booth if one is within reach, while McDaniel and Carlos Collazo from Baseball America note a preference for Lombard over Booth.

If both Lombard and Booth are off the board by the time the Royals make their selection, they could turn to Gio Rojas. Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline has pointed out that the Royals will assess the top six players available, with Rojas being the leading prep pitcher. The lefty boasts a fastball that can reach 98 mph, complemented by a sweeping slider and changeup, showcasing the potential to become a frontline starter. McDaniel suggests Rojas could serve as a “cut-rate option” if the Royals decide to save money for later picks, and Collazo confirms that the team has been closely scouting him.

Another intriguing option is Jackson Flora, the top college pitcher on the board, who could become a target if the premier prep players are gone. Peyton Sower of Just Baseball notes that Royals scouting director Brian Bridges has had success with college pitching selections, placing Flora in Kansas City. Flora’s impressive season included a 1.06 ERA and 133 strikeouts in 102 innings at UC-Santa Barbara, highlighting his above-average command and diverse pitching arsenal.

The Royals may also consider high school pitcher Carson Bolemon, regarded as one of the top prep arms, though Lombard and Booth remain their primary targets. California high schooler Jared Grindlinger is another name to watch; while teams view him primarily as a hitter, the Royals have expressed interest in his pitching capabilities. At just 17, he’s among the draft’s youngest players, featuring a fastball that sits between 90-93 mph.

There’s also buzz around Florida right-hander Liam Peterson, although he may be a reach at No. 6. Standing at 6’5” with a mid-90s fastball, Peterson has the potential to increase his velocity in shorter outings. The Royals have a history of selecting Gator pitchers, making him a candidate to watch.

In addition to pitching options, Kansas City could look towards college hitters, with Arkansas catcher Ryder Helfrick emerging as a possibility. Helfrick, a right-handed slugger, posted a .283 batting average with 18 home runs in 62 games. Mark Powell from FanSided has also suggested Drew Burress, a polished hitter from Georgia Tech, as a potential pick. Burress excelled with a .358 batting average, 16 home runs, and 10 steals in 61 games, but his smaller stature at 5’9” may impact his draft stock.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.