MLB Draft: 4 hitters the KC Royals should consider

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.