Kansas City Royals: Royals Draft Flashback, Part 3

Not unlike most of the Kansas City Royals 1970s drafts, the lower rounds were meant to pad minor league rosters. Sometimes amid pebbles, the occasional diamond shines through. In many cases, however, legendary talent slipped right through the Royals hands.

1978

Buddy Biancalana! The utility shortstop that rolled off our tongues and into Royals fans’ hearts was chosen 25th overall. Soft-hitting fan favorites aside, the Royals 1978 haul was somewhat top-heavy. Darryl Motley, the second round pick, was a crucial bench presence for the 1984 AL West champs and the 1985 World Series team. Still, Motley was chosen immediately before Steve Bedrosian (an All-Star pitcher) and Steve Balboni (a more crucial figure on the 1985 Royals). Another All-Star pitcher, Frank Viola was picked in the 16th round. Alas, he resolved to build his legend at St. John’s University. “Sweet Music” was one of only four Royals picks after the fourth round to see MLB action.

1979

The 1979 MLB Draft is referred to by some as “the football draft.” A disproportionate number of picks went unsigned and pursued NFL careers, and that stung the Royals twice. A lanky high school RHP named Dan Marino was chosen in the fourth round, and a power-hitting outfielder named John Elway was picked in the 18th round. Neither signed with KC.

No matter the sport, the Royals’ 1979 draft was scattershot. Atlee Hammaker, the Royals’ first pick, became an All-Star… with the Giants. Utility outfielder Pat Sheridan was chosen in the second round, just ahead of another future All-Star, Jim Presley.  Rookie leaguer Johnny Barnette was chosen in the 16th round, just ahead of Bud Black, a near-miss that rectified itself pretty well. Three rounds later, Triple-A hurler Daniel St. Clair got the nod over an unproven first baseman named Don Mattingly.

1980

This was a below-average draft, with zero Hall of Famers to date. The most notable names either saw their careers cut short by injuries (Kelly Gruber, Darren Daulton, Eric Davis) or substance abuse (Darryl Strawberry, Oil Can Boyd). As a relief pitcher, the late Frank Wills was a serviceable presence between Triple-A and parts of nine seasons in the majors. Compared to future All-Star and Richard Linklater muse Glenn Wilson –two picks behind Wills– we’ll call this another near-miss. The most notable Royals pick was catcher Don Slaught in the 7th round.

1981

Less than a year removed from their first AL pennant, the Royals’ strategy changed a bit. 1981 was less about blue chips and more about hiring farmhands. A career minor league utility guy, Dave Leeper was a bust as both an outfielder and a pitcher. Luckily, that proved to be a mulligan. Royals great Mark Gubicza was picked in the second round and David Cone landed in Kansas City in the third round. Even though “Senor Padre” Tony Gwynn was chosen in between Gooby and Coney, the ‘81 amateur draft let the heart prevail over the brain.

1982

Another first round pick, another muff. John Morris’ success in the Sally League did not translate to much else than a platoon outfield spot with the Cardinals. Joe Szekely Jr., a one-time coach in the Royals’ farm system, was selected by Kansas City in the second round. The second-generation infielder was picked immediately before Barry Bonds, who opted to go to USC. After several years of famine in the lower rounds, Kansas City hit paydirt with Bret Saberhagen in the 19th round (480th overall).

Next Time

Next time I will provide an analysis of Royals draft history from 1983 to 1987.

Any of these names stand out to you, Royals fans? Anyone you wish the Royals went with and missed? Let us know!