3 college players KC Royals could take first in 2023 MLB Draft

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KC Royals faithful remember how the competitive squads from 2013-2016 were built. They were built through the draft, through the grind that is minor-league baseball. Sure, some trades put that core over the edge but the draft built most of that winning roster. The Royals have been unsuccessful in replicating that process, but other teams doing the same thing and succeeding should give Kansas City hope. After hiring coaches and personnel away from small-market teams like the Tampa Bay Rays, Minnesota Twins, and Cleveland Guardians, the Royals could have some major changes in the draft process.

Could the KC Royals prioritize a college player in the 2023 MLB Draft?

The Royals pitching in the minors, especially in Low-A Columbia and High-A, are better this year than last. The proof is in the numbers, evident by several prospects making leaps and bounds under new tutelage. But, I am curious what this new-look organization will do when they can draft the personnel that they want, rather than working with the previous regime's choices.

The 2023 MLB Draft gives the new minds behind the last-place Royals a chance to gain fans' trust. A good draft may not be apparent for years, but the initial reaction and results will still either regain fans' confidence in the organization or drive it below rock bottom. The Royals tried the "MLB ready" approach with Gavin Cross in last year's draft, and we see how well that has turned out. There is a real chance the Royals could go after a high-ceiling high school player, but that is not a certainty. If the Royals wanted to go after a college player once again, who could they target and why would that player fit with the Royals?

C Kyle Teel

The Royals selecting Virginia catcher Kyle Teel at eight overall is one of the most popular selections I can think of, on social media at least. Joe Doyle of Future Star Series Plus mocked Teel to the Royals, saying that Kansas City "absolutely love Teel and have spent an inordinate amount of time taking in his games toward the end of the year". Doyle doubled down on the connection in a recent podcast, adding some more fuel to this fire.

The Royals could do much worse than Teel if they want a college bat. He is a left-handed hitter that is better at hitting for contact than hitting for power. He does have above-average bat speed, with good plate recognition and the ability to put the barrel to the ball very well. The Athletic's Keith Law noted (subscription required) that Teel's "swing produces a lot of line-drive contact and he might have another half-grade of power coming if he gets a little stronger." Teel has already jumped in power from year to year in Virginia, recording career-highs with .655 SLG and 13 home runs in 2023. He has a good feel for the strike zone, walking more than he struck out over the past two years.

The bat is very good, but Teel behind the plate might be even better. He is a consensus above-average catcher behind the plate, at least from what I have seen. His role on a Virginia team that made the College World Series twice in three years is undeniable. After all, the catcher has an important role in sequencing, directing the defense, and more. Fans can watch some of his game tapes, but his framing looks good, at least receiving from college pitchers.

MLB.com gives more reason for Teel being a good fit in Kansas City. They said "he gets high marks for his baseball IQ and leadership skills", two things that historically would intrigue the Royals. This is another way that fans will learn about the new draft approach. How much weight will the Royals put into a player's intangibles? Former general manager Dayton Moore put a lot of stock into a player's traditional scouting measurables as well as an individual's character. At 6'1" and 190 lbs., Teel has those measurements Morre would like. The question remains, is that still the case?

SS Tommy Troy

I will be honest here: Jared Perkins of Just Baseball sold me on infielder Tommy Troy over other bats like shortstops Jacob Wilson or Matt Shaw. The Stanford Cardinal standout may not have a clear defensive position, but he does have what the Royals need the most: a consistent bat.

Like Teel, Troy's swing is a very repeatable motion that creates a great pop off the bat. He is another borderline power hitter that could add more muscle at the next level. At 5'10" and 197 lbs., Tory is not going to be a hulking presence in the batter's box. But he doesn't have to be to win. Prospects will regularly have the bat speed or make contact that sounds good, but few do it as often as Troy does. In 2023, he set career-highs in virtually every offensive category, including a .696 SLG, four triples, and 17 home runs. There is a lot to like about Troy at the plate.

Troy's biggest weakness is his lack of a clear spot in the infield. Heck, he can even play the outfield pretty competently. He has above-average speed, serving him well if a team wants him as a shortstop or centerfielder. His arm does leave something to be desired, making a more permanent move to shortstop or second base likely. Law suggested (subscription required) that Troy could get a chance at centerfield, letting that speed go to work.

His jump in stolen bases at Stanford is worth noting. Troy stole 17 bags in 58 games during the 2023 season, which doesn't sound like much in relation to MLB seasons, but is a good collegiate clip. It was an unexpected facet of his game, as Troy had four stolen bases in each of the two previous seasons. I am unsure if that is a new baserunning approach or more speed, to be honest. He certainly was a baserunning threat in his junior year though. All in all, I think Troy is a malleable prospect in the field, but one with a plus-hit tool and power that would play well for the Royals.

RHP Rhett Lowder

Just like Teel is a fairly consensus welcome pick, there may not be a more polarizing prospective pick than pitcher Rhett Lowder. Don't get it twisted though, he has the college resume that any MLB team would love. In 19 starts, Lowder went 15-0 with a 1.87 ERA, .947 WHIP and 10.7 K/9. He was the Wake Forest Demon Deacons' ace in 2023, leading the team to its first College World Series since 1955. Lowder caught the eye of even casual baseball fans at the stage, going against fellow first-round prospect Paul Skenes in a win-or-go-home game on June 22.

Skenes' Tigers advance on to the championship series, but Lowder did everything he could to keep Wake Forest in it. He pitched seven shutout innings, fanning six while walking two. The bullpen could not keep the sutout going though, marking the first time in 2023 that Wake Foret lost when Lowder started. He is one of two players to repeat as ACC Pitcher of the Year, a testament to his track record since 2022.

MLB.com says "Lowder owns one of the best changeups in college baseball", making Royals fans shudder at other draft picks who had that similar trait. his fastball sits at a respectable range, focusing more on movement than blistering speed. His fastball plays well because he knows how to locate the pitch well, only improving his changeup's effectiveness. Both are clearly plus-pitches, with little qualms about either.

So, why aren't people sold on drafting Lowder at eighth overall? There are two reasons I see. First of all, there are crucial components to Lowder's game that put a lot of stress on his body, making me question if he can keep pitching for 10+ years. His slider, the pitch that really completes his arsenal, puts a lot of stress on his middle two fingers. Look at him show his grips this season, and even he recognizes the issue with it. Also, Lowder's lower half of his body isn't optimal and requires him to use his arm more than a pitcher should. It is fixable, but that is more time coaching away a bad habit that could be used on other things.

Second, it is hard to deny the volatility of first-round pitchers in the Kansas City system. The Royals are trying to update an outdated training process in the minors, but the recent track record with high-draft pitchers is not great. Asa Lacy is nowhere near the ace fans hoped for, the 2018 class has not yielded a consistent or healthy starter that the team wants long-term, and four first-round picks on pitchers in 2014 and 2015 went nowhere. If hte Royals are confident in developing pitching, they could invest in a high-floor talent like Lowder. But, they better be sure if they want to take this unpopular route.

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