KC Royals Draft Review: Pitching, Pitching And More Pitching
By Mike Norris
May 22, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view as fans watch fireworks after the game between the Kansas City Royals and the St. Louis Cardinals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
It was more from the college ranks in round 11 through 20 for the KC Royals. The only high school player drafted was a hometown kid, who may spurn the team for another sport.
Staying true to the overall draft, half of these selections were pitchers, although Kansas City focused on the infield some, taking two short stops and a catcher.
Round 11: Ben Johnson, Texas, OF, Junior — Bats: R, Throws: R, 6-0/190
The First-Team All-Big 12 selection led the team in batting average (.332), hits (80), slugging percentage (.498), triples (7), multi-hit games (26), steals (16), total bases (120) and was second in on-base percentage (.393), according to the school’s website. He is part of an athletic family that saw his father play football at Maine, his grandfather run track at Notre Dame and his brother play baseball at Vanderbilt.
Round 12: Daniel Concepcion, VCU, RHP, Senior — Bats: R, Throws: R, 6-4/230
The Puerto Rican native won six games his junior season while recording just one save. Moved to the closer role this past year, Concepcion saved 14 ball games, started two, and finished 3-3 with a 3.12 ERA. In his first season with the Rams in 2014, he was named to the All-Atlantic 10 Tournament team, pitching seven innings in relief against St. Louis in an elimination game.
Round 13: Travis Maezes, Michigan, SS, Junior — Bats: L, Throws: R, 6-0/195
Maezes was projected as a third-round pick at worst last year after hitting .329 in the Cape Cod League according to MLB.com. However, nagging injuries forced him to miss 16 games for the Wolverines, where he hit .297 with one home run and 27 RBI.
Notable MLB 13th round draft pick: Albert Pujols, 1B
Round 14: Nicholas Dini, Wagner College (NY) , C, Senior — Bats: R, Throws: R, 5-8/180
Dini just finished up an impressive Seahawks’ career where he played (and started each one) 215 games in four years. He finished with a .309 batting average, 16 home runs and 143 RBI. He struck out only once every 12.2 at bats and added 51 stolen bases in his career that saw him leave as the school’s all-time hits leader.
Round 15: Marquise Doherty, Winnetonka (MO) HS, OF — Bats: R, Throws: R, 6-1/193
Doherty is one of the top two-sport athletes in the country. His hometown Royals took a little bit of a chance on him, because it is widely thought he will turn down this opportunity to play football for the University of Missouri.
Round 16: Matt Ditman, Rice, RHP, Senior — Bats: R, Throws: R, 6-1/195
Ditman finsihed out his Owl career with 20 saves, second in school history. His junior campaign was arguably his best, after finishing with five wins, nine saves and a 1.83 ERA.
Round 17: Matt Portland, Northwestern, LHP, Junior — Bats: R, Throws: L, 6-3/225
Portland, the cousin of Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Phil Hughes, was just 3-6 with a 4.04 ERA his junior season with the Wildcats. However, his 6-3, 225-pound frame is one to be desired, and he did show some promise with a 1.94/1, strikeout-to-walk ratio in 2015.
Notable MLB 17th round draft pick: Kenny Lofton, CF
Round 18: Brian Bayliss, St. Joseph’s College (IN), RHP, Junior — Bats: R, Throws: R, 6-2/200
Bayliss pitched in just 10 games for the Pumas in 2015, but made the most out of them. He finished 3-2 with a 3.66 ERA and 68 strike outs in just 59 innings. He struck out 14 batters in a game twice, while earning Second-Team All-GLVC honors.
Round 19: Emmanuel Rivera, Universidad Interamericana (Puerto Rico), SS, J1 — Bats: R, Throws, R, 6-2/195
No information available
Notable KC Royals 19th round draft pick: Bret Saberhagen, RHP
Round 20: Junior Harding, Chipola College (FL), RHP, J1 — Bats: R, Throws: R, 5-9/180
Harding went
and 80 strikeouts in just 71 1/3 innings of work.
Notable MLB 20th round draft pick: Ryne Sandberg, 2B
Next: Rounds 21-30