KC Royals: Seven options for second overall pick in 2019 MLB Draft
By Cullen Jekel
Kameron Misner, Outfielder
University of Missouri
Pop quiz: how many Mizzou positional players have gone in the first round of the MLB draft?
If you guessed any number above zero, you’re wrong. But Kameron Misner is likely to change that. Where he falls in the first round, though, is a completely different story.
Previously drafted out of high school by the Royals in the 33rd round of 2016’s draft, Misner, from Poplar Bluff, Missouri, instead went the collegiate route, and it looks like it’s paid off. He ended his freshman year with an OPS of .806 in 213 at-bats, including seven home runs, 34 RBIs, and 17 steals. As a sophomore, his slash line improved to .360/.497/.576 as his walks jumped and strikeouts fell, but he played in only 34 games due to injury.
This year, Misner is back on track, hitting .267/.457/.467 for an OPS of .924 across 34 games and 120 at-bats. Already he’s set a career-high in walks with 40 versus just 34 punch outs. He’s a perfect 17-for-17 in steals, and he’s matched his freshman year number in home runs.
Potential Day 1 pick Kameron Misner of @MizzouBaseball with a line drive double over the center fielder. Also has a bomb to RF and oppo shot. #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/YThNaJl7Ty
— Keanan Lamb (@keananlamb) February 16, 2019
According to MLB.com, Misner, their number 11 prospect, is a 20-20 threat who possesses “the quickness and strong arm to patrol anywhere in the outfield.”
Is that enough to be selected second overall? Perhaps. The Royals love speed and positional versatility. Misner possesses both those traits along with plate discipline and a bit of pop.