KC Royals: Seven options for second overall pick in 2019 MLB Draft

Carter Stewart, Right-Handed Starting Pitcher

Eastern Florida State Junior College

From the Big XII we go to something called the National Junior College Athletic Association.

The reason for such a big drop can be explained by looking at the picture above, which was taken at last year’s draft. In it stands Rob Manfred, the Major League Baseball Commissioner, alongside pitcher Carter Stewart, newly drafted out of high school by the Atlanta Braves with the eighth overall pick.

Yet, Stewart and the Braves failed to reach a deal. And instead of heading to a four-year college, where he would have had to wait three seasons before re-entering the draft, Stewart headed to a junior college so that he could get back in the draft after just one season.

Would the Royals take a risk on drafting a pitcher who failed to reach a deal with the last team that took him?* They’ve done it before, and reached a deal with that player. Back in 2006, with the first overall pick, Kansas City nabbed pitcher Luke Hochevar just a year after the Dodgers had drafted him with the 40th pick, a supplemental first-rounder.

*It should be noted that the MLBPA filed a grievance on Stewart’s behalf, claiming that Atlanta did not negotiate with him in good faith.

Stewart, just 19, would be worth the number two pick. According to MLB.com, he’s the top pitching prospect. On the 20 to 80 scale, MLB.com gives him a 55 overall due in large part to his 65 fastball and 65 curveball.

https://twitter.com/KPeterson813/status/1090777533509971968

This season for the Eastern Florida State Junior College Titans, he’s started ten games, and while his record is just 2-2, he’s struck out 80 in 55.1 innings pitched, which comes to 13.01 K/9. He’s given up just two home runs while his ERA sits at 1.63.

Once upon a time, Dayton Moore uttered this line: “Pitching is the currency of (baseball).” Truer words may never have been spoken. And if Moore believes he can reach terms with this young fireballer, then Stewart may become the fifth pitcher drafted by the Royals in the first round in the past two seasons.