Kansas City Royals: Every First Round Pick Since 2000

Every Royals first-round draft pick since 2000: Nick Pratto (2017)

After not having a first-round pick in 2016, the Kansas City Royals made sure to make their 2017 pick count. They knew there was a good chance they’d be losing Eric Hosmer to free agency after the 2017 season wrapped up, so they found his future replacement.

That guy was Nick Pratto.

The Royals drafted Pratto with the 14th overall pick in 2017. He was an 18-year-old out of Huntington Beach High School in California and had gained fame at a young age when he hit a walk-off single for Team USA in the Little League World Series in 2011

Being able to put a moment to a face helped Royals fans feel a little bit better about Hosmer eventually departing for greener pastures. Hosmer did indeed sign elsewhere and while Pratto has had a slow start to the minors, there’s hope he can replicate what Hosmer did for this team at first base.

In 2018, Nick Pratto slashed .280/.343/.443 with 14 home runs and 62 RBI in 127 games with the Lexington Legends. He helped the Legends win the 2018 South Atlantic Championship.