The process of replenishing the KC Royals farm system started Monday evening. Let’s take a look at the profiles of the players the Royals selected.
With their first selection, at pick #14, the KC Royals selected a prep bat.
Nick Pratto, 1B, Huntington Beach, California
More from Kings of Kauffman
- KC Royals Winter Meetings Tracker: Day 3 update
- KC Royals Winter Meetings Tracker: Day 2 update
- Winter Meetings: Any blockbusters for the KC Royals?
- Grading the 2022 KC Royals: The versatile Nate Eaton
- KC Royals: Club appears ready to hire pitching assistant
Pratto is described as a smooth hitter. He just has a great overall feel for hitting. A pretty swing, decent plate discipline, and elite bat speed. Many people feel this is a hitter that could move up the minor league ranks quite nicely.
Standing at 6-1, 195 pounds, the power is still coming along. Expect him too grow into his power potential along the way.
Pratto is best known for his walkoff hit in the 2011 Little League World Series.
M.J. Melendez, C, Miami, Florida
With their second pick, the Royals kept loading up at a position they are stocked at, catcher.
The KC Royals selected M.J. Melendez, a prep catcher out of Florida. Melendez baseball bloodlines, as his father is the head coach at Florida International University.
It is known that he has good power, be needs some improvement on his hit tool. He also plays some nice defense, with a cannon for an arm.
Evan Steele, LHP, Chipola Junior College
With the final selection of the night, the KC Royals took their first arm of the night, lefty Evan Steele.
"Dayton Moore’s Dilemma and the Delicacy of the 2017 MLB Trade Deadline"
After pitching briefly at baseball powerhouse Vanderbilt, Steele transferred to Chipola Junior College in Florida, where he dominated.
Pretty impressive.