Kansas City Royals 2015 MLB Draft Review

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Nolan Watson

Like Russell before him, Nolan Watson is a coming fresh out of high school in Indianapolis, this time hailing from Lawrence North High School, so it would likely be some time before he makes an impact upon the Kansas City Royals. He has also committed to play at Vanderbilt, so that does factor in as a possible issue when it comes to signing Watson.

However, Watson had certainly impressed scouts this season, as he was considered by many scouting publications to be rising up the charts, perhaps sneaking into the latter part of the first round and getting selected in the lower to mid 20s. Baseball America even projected Watson to go as high as 18th to the Giants. Based on those projections, the Royals may have gotten a bargain.

Watson, a 6’2″, 200 lb righty, is quite the intriguing prospect. With a fastball that sits in the lower 90’s, as well as a curve, slider and change, Watson could be considered a solid starting pitcher prospect. Watson also has a solid three quarters arm slot, providing a bit of deception as he delivers the ball to home.

At his age and with his size, it may be that Nolan Watson can add a few more miles per hour to his fastball. If he can develop his other pitches as well, the Kansas City Royals could have a nice starter on in their system in the next few years.

Next: Another flamethrower

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Staumont

The Kansas City Royals took another pitcher in the second round with the 64th overall selection. This time, they went away from the high school ranks and drafted right handed pitcher Josh Staumont from Azura Pacific University.

When looking at Staumont, the first thing that jumps off the page is his fastball velocity. Working as a starting pitcher, Staumont routinely sat in the 94 MPH to 97 MPH range, occasionally hitting 100 MPH. At 6’2″, 205 lbs, and with a delivery that is considered by scouts to be easy and repeatable, it seems odd that he would have been available at this juncture of the draft.

The problem with Staumont is, for as hard as he throws the baseball, he often has little idea as to where it will end up. While he struck out 100 batters in 63.1 innings of work, he also had 48 walks. Add in the fact that Staumont is essentially a two pitch pitcher, typically relying upon that fastball and a curve, and it is easy to understand why scouts would be wary.

If Staumont is unable to harness that command, or is unable to add a workable third option, he could end up in the bullpen. Given his typical fastball velocity as a starter, Staumont could be yet another fireballing weapon for the bullpen, continuing that pipeline of excellent relievers.

The Kansas City Royals drafted a truly intriguing player in Josh Staumont, and one that could surpass expectations. It will be interesting to see how his command fares during his minor league tenure.

Next: Drafted by his favorite team

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Anderson Miller

In the third round, the Kansas City Royals took Anderson Miller, who likely will be the first position player they selected. The outfielder/left handed pitcher from Western Kentucky University certainly had to be pleased with the selection, as it seems he grew up as a fan of the Royals based on a picture on Twitter.

In Miller, the Royals have an interesting bat, as he ranked third in Conference USA with twelve home runs and 47 runs scored, while placing in the top five in walks, triples and slugging percentage en route to being named to the All-Conference First Team. Considered a possible five tool player, Anderson began to be noticed by scouts based on his performance in the Cape Cod League last year.

While he is expected to be an outfielder professionally, Miller has also made the occasional appearance on the mound. His fastball sat in the low 90’s, and he made two scoreless appearances this season. If his game is unable to translate to the professional ranks, Miller could potentially provide value as a pitcher as well.

Anderson Miller is also the third consecutive member of the Hilltoppers to be taken by the Kansas City Royals, joining Andrew Edwards and Ian Tompkins, as it appears as though there is a nice pipeline forming at Western Kentucky.

Next: The control artist

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Garrett Davila

In the fourth round, the Kansas City Royals went back to the high school ranks, selecting Garrett Davila from South Point High School in Belmont, North Carolina.

The 6’2″ 180 lb Davila emerged this season, as he added a few more miles per hour to his fastball as his body began to fill out. A left hander with solid control, Davila throws a fastball that sat in the low 90’s, along with a curve and the vestiges of a decent changeup. If he can gain some confidence in that pitch, he could be yet another solid starting pitching option in the Royals system.

Davila was impressive last season for South Point. He was 8-0, with an astonishing 0.11 ERA. While there is no way to know how those numbers will translate to the professional ranks if the Royals are able to sway him from his commitment to the University of Tennessee, they are certainly eye popping.

Garrett Davila may not light up the radar gun, but he was certainly impressive during his senior season. It will be interesting to see if he signs with the Kansas City Royals or goes on to college.

Next: Intriguing raw power potential

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Roman Collins

While there may be questions about whether or not Garrett Davila will sign with the Kansas City Royals, those same questions do not seem to be there for Roman Collins. Indeed, according to the conversation he had with Nate Taylor of the Sun-Sentinel, the Royals made him an offer he could not refuse.

Knowing that the Royals have the 6’2″, 205 lb outfielder from Florida Atlantic University in the fold, it is fair to wonder what type of player they have. What Collins provides is an outfielder with decent speed and excellent power potential, one who had been the National Junior College Division II Player of the Year at Des Moines Area Community College before making the jump to FAU.

While he did not produce at the same level with the improved competition, Collins more than held his own, leading the Owls with five triples and 59 RBI this season while hitting seven home runs. Although he is coming off his junior year, there may be a bit of an adjustment period as Collins gets acclimated to the professional ranks.

Should that happen, the Kansas City Royals are hoping to find themselves with another power hitting outfielder with solid speed. The potential is certainly there for Roman Collins to be that player.

Next: The speedster

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Cody Jones

In the sixth round, the Kansas City Royals selected yet another center fielder. However, unlike Miller and Collins, Cody Jones is more of a potential leadoff hitter than a middle of the order bat.

The leadoff hitter for TCU, Jones produced a .371/.474/.500 batting line, stealing 31 bases en route to being named the Big 12 Player of Year. This also marks the second time that Jones has been drafted, as he was selected in the 38th round by the Cleveland Indians last year.

Chances are, Jones is not going to be a power threat whatsoever during his time in the minors. However, his blazing speed and solid batting eye could turn him into a viable leadoff hitter, someone capable of getting on base and hitting the occasional double or triple. As his speed is easily his greatest asset, Jones may have landed with the perfect team in the Royals.

Cody Jones may not have the same type of ceiling as the other outfielders drafted by the Kansas City Royals, but he could still make his presence felt at some point, either as a fourth outfielder or potentially a leadoff hitter.

Next: He may switch positions professionally

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Gabriel Cancel

Before he has even signed with the Kansas City Royals, there is already talk that Gabriel Cancel may end up having to switch positions. The 6’1″, 175 lb shortstop from the Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy is considered to be someone who may have to become a catcher, as he may outgrow the position and could be a force behind the plate.

There are questions about Cancel’s ability to adjust to the professional ranks as well. According to MLB.com, scouts feel that while Cancel is athletic and has a solid build, he may struggle against the increased velocity of professional baseball.

In watching his video highlights, there is certainly a lot to like about Cancel. He appears to have a strong arm and solid range at short. That arm would appear as though it could translate behind the plate if the Royals did decide to move him from the infield.

Gabriel Cancel’s immediate future may be uncertain, and there are those question marks surrounding whether or not his game will translate. However, Cancel may turn out to be a worthwhile gamble for the Royals.

Next: Converting to pitching full time

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Bryon Davis

Like Anderson Miller, Bryon Davis was both in the field and on the mound during his college days. However, for the Kansas City Royals, Davis is likely to end up on the mound.

Given his 6’6″, 225 lb frame, Davis does not throw as hard as one would expect. His fastball sits between 89 MPH and 92 MPH, and he has yet to truly develop a second pitch, as his slider has been referred “fringy.” Even though Davis is a lefty, that description does not exactly bode well.

If pitching does not work out, it is possible that he could simply go back to first base. Davis had a solid year with the bat, producing a .378 batting average with six home runs and 35 RBI. That was good enough for Davis to be named as the First Team first baseman for the All-SouthWest Athletic Conference.

Bryon Davis may take some time to develop on the mound in the Kansas City Royals system, but if he does not, do not be surprised to see him end up at first base.

Next: Another imposing lefty

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Joseph Markus

Joseph Markus is another gigantic lefty drafted by the Kansas City Royals. The 6’7″, 220 lb pitcher worked out of the bullpen for Indian River State College, and like Davis, may not be the same sort of pitcher one would expect from that size.

Last season was not exactly one that would stand out statistically. He had a 3-1 record, but also posted a 6.39 ERA and only struck out 21 batters in 31 innings of work. Markus also only pitches in the mid 80’s with his fastball, so his selection this early seems to be a bit curious.

Perhaps the Royals see something that can be fixed mechanically that could generate a few extra miles per hour on that fastball. He would certainly seem to have the body type where he would be able to consistently pitch in the 90’s, which may make a tremendous difference in his results.

The Kansas City Royals saw something that made them feel that Joseph Markus is a worthwhile gamble in the ninth round. It will be interesting to see how he develops.

Next: Last, but not least

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Alex Luna

Finally, the last pick of the second day of the 2015 MLB Amateur Draft for the Kansas City Royals was Alex Luna, a 6’4″, 200 lb right handed pitcher from the University of Alabama-Birmingham.

Luna was actually better during his junior campaign, when he posted a 7-1 record with a 1.76 ERA en route to being named to the All-Conference USA second team. However, this season was still solid, as Luna was 3-3 with a 3.44 ERA in 13 starts covering 70.2 innings.

Armed with a fastball in the low 90’s, Luna is more likely to rely upon his command than to fire the ball past the batter. With this profile, Luna may be more of a middle of the rotation starter instead of a potential ace, but he could be a nice prospect for the Royals in the next few years.

Alex Luna may never be the type of pitcher that ranks among the top prospects for the Kansas City Royals, but it would not be a surprise to see him rise through the minor leagues.

Next: Five Best Draft Picks in Royals History