MLB Draft: 4 hitters the KC Royals should consider

The short draft season kicked off early for the KC Royals Monday when they pulled off a rare draft pick trade. Regular picks can’t be dealt, but Competitive Balance picks can, and the Royals just happened to have one. Kansas City traded it to Atlanta for three minor league prospects.

Had the club kept that selection—the 35th overall pick—it would have had three picks on the draft’s first day (more on that momentarily). Instead of holding out to see what talent is available at Pick 35, Kansas City traded the selection for prospects closer to reaching the majors.

Even with the deal, plenty of draft action awaits the Royals. The 20-round affair kicks off Sunday with Rounds 1 and 2, and KC will pick 20 players before it winds up Tuesday.

Which picks will the KC Royals have on Day 1 of the upcoming draft?

The Royals will pick twice on Day 1. They have the ninth choice in the first round and the 49th overall selection, which will be in the second round.  Their bonus pool—that amount they can spend on signings without incurring penalties—comes in at $9,466,200 this year.

The slot value for the ninth overall pick is $5.2 million and Pick 49 carries a $1.58 million value. Will the Royals look to land under slot value in the first round like they did last season with first-rounder Frank Mozzicato? Or will they simply draft the best overall player as they did when they drafted Bobby Witt Jr. second overall in 2019?

Either strategy might pay off, but expect the Royals to take the best player available in the first round as pressure mounts for them to be more competitive. And that player should be one of four good hitters.

Even after adding Drew Waters, the KC Royals need more outfield depth.

Unlike the NFL Draft, baseball draft choices are rarely driven by filling immediate big league needs. Most draftees are three or more years from contributing at the major league level.

So, teams frequently draft players who don’t have specific places to play; nevertheless, the Royals can, even after acquiring Drew Waters from Atlanta in their early-week draft pick trade, increase organizational center field depth by choosing Virginia Tech’s Gavin Cross.

Although his average has dropped in each of his three seasons with the Hokies—but still remains exceptional—Cross is hitting for more power while maintaining a strong approach at the plate:

• 2020: 16G, 71 PA, .369/.409/.385, 14.08 K%, 5.6 BB%, 0 HR
• 2021: 51G, 234 PA, .345/.415/.621, 20.5 K%, 7.2 BB%, 11 HR
• 2022: 57G, 280 PA, .328/.411/.660, 14.6 K%, 10.7 BB%, 17 HR

Cross has good length in his swing and quick hands that allow him to stay inside the ball, so he can do real damage on inside pitches. His swing is similar to Vinnie Pasquantino’s—both have good eyes for the strike zone and use their quick hands to smash inside pitches.

Cross is a center fielder but might be destined to play in the corners. But he’d be an excellent addition to the Royals’ farm system and might see the majors as early as 2024.

Dylan Beavers is a potential 5-tool outfielder the KC Royals could target.

Dylan Beavers rounds out the high-profile outfield prospects for KC fans to watch early in the draft. Despite some questions about his production profile, he’s shown great tools playing for Cal in the Pac-12.

Beavers’ mlb.com draft profile compares him to Milwaukee’s Christian Yelich: “When Beavers is locked in, he’s the proverbial five-tool player. During the spring of 2021, he reminded some scouts of Christian Yelich as a left-handed hitter who makes good swing decisions and hard contact in the strike zone.” And after two consecutive NCAA seasons with an OPS north of 1.000, it’s easy to understand the comparison.

• 2020: 12G, 33 PA, .250/.333/.357, 27.2 K%, 12.1 BB%, 1 HR
• 2021: 55G, 252 PA, .303/.401/.630, 21.0 K%, 12.6 BB%, 18 HR
• 2022: 56G, 272 PA, .291/.427/.634, 19.8 K%, 18.7 BB%, 17 HR

Despite a lower batting average than some of the other top-tier college bats at the top of the draft rankings, Beavers still belongs in contention for the Royals’ first-round selection. He’s increased his OBP and walk rate over three seasons while drastically reducing his strikeout rate.

He’s also “…an above-average runner who has the chance to stay in center field…” per mlb.com’s draft profile.

Jace Jung could bring an excellent approach and power to the KC Royals.

Last but not least is Texas Tech infielder Jace Jung, whose brother Josh was drafted eighth overall by Texas in 2019. Jace initially took Josh’s place in the Red Raider lineup and has dominated NCAA pitchers ever since.

Jung played all over the infield in 2021 but settled into second base this year and profiles as a second baseman of the future for whoever drafts him Sunday.

Jung’s mlb.com draft profile says “Most of Jung’s value will come from his bat., which is fine because he may hit .300 with 30 homers on an annual basis…He has fringy arm strength, was erratic at third base, and may not be more than adequate at second base.” Defense is clearly not what’s driving him up draft boards, so the major draw for the Royals is his bat and plate approach:

• 2020: 19G, 74 PA, .264/.438/.604, 20.2 K%, 24.3 BB%, 4 HR
• 2021: 56G, 264 PA, .337/.462/.697, 17.0 K%, 18.5 BB%, 21 HR
• 2022: 61G, 295 PA, .335/.481/.612, 14.2 K%, 20.0 BB%, 14 HR

Jung’s strikeout rate has decreased in each of his NCAA seasons and he’s walked more than he’s fanned. Those rates and his elite power output make for a rare combination.

Jung’s upright approach at the plate, although different, seems to help him see the ball well; he uses a slight leg kick and then explodes through the ball with outstanding bat speed that should help him hit for plus power in the majors.

Jung could be ready for Kansas City by 2024 and could slot in well with the Royals’ young core. Much like MJ Melendez, he pairs excellent plate discipline with prodigious power potential.

The Royals have two picks on the first day of the major league draft. Any of these four players could help boost them into contention.