Kansas City Royals: Every First Round Pick Since 2000
Every Royals first-round draft pick since 2000: Eric Hosmer (2008)
Arguably the last solid pick that the Royals had in round one was Eric Hosmer, who was selected third overall in 2008. Hosmer was 18 when he was picked up by the Royals and was one of their most highly touted prospects at the time.
With Hosmer getting labeled as “the next Bo Jackson” and other high standards, it was huge news when the Florida native got his Major League callup in 2011 at the ripe old age of 21.
Hosmer had one of the best rookie seasons in Royals history, slashing .293/.334/.465 and hitting 19 home runs. Those 19 homers would be his career-high until the 2016 season when he belted 25.
The Hosmer hype was real, but he struggled in year two. Fortunately, he began to rebound and became a solid defensive player at first base, notching three Gold Gloves.
Where Eric Hosmer’s legacy will always be in Kansas City Royals history, however, is how badass of a player he was during the two World Series runs. In 2014, Hosmer had the triple heard around the world in the Wild Card Game, in which two Athletics outfielders collided and Hosmer made it to third base, eventually scoring the tying run in the 12th inning.
Hosmer also had a game-tying home run in the 11th inning in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Angels. His clutch-ness has always been what has made him Forever Royal and those are just two minor examples.
In 2015, Hosmer’s legacy was established forever. In Game 5 of the World Series, the Kansas City Royals were trailing in the ninth inning. After Matt Harvey decided to come back out to go for a complete game, he walked Lorenzo Cain. Hosmer then doubled Cain home and had stolen third when Salvador Perez came to the plate.
Perez grounded to third and Hosmer took a huge gamble when he decided to dash home. Had Hosmer been thrown out, it would have been the end of the game and the Royals would have had to finish the series out back at the K. Instead, Hosmer scored with ease and the Royals went on to win the World Series several hours later.
Hosmer would go to his first and only All-Star Game in 2016. He hit a home run and added another RBI in the game to earn the MVP Award. He’s been a great representative for the KC Royals.
Eric Hosmer tended to get flack from the fans for not being a power guy, but it became obvious that that isn’t who he is. Eric Hosmer was the definition of “clutch” during his time in Kansas City, and seeing him sign a long-term deal with the Padres hurt, but no one can blame him for getting as much money as possible.
He’s going to be loved for that mad dash home for eternity though.