Kansas City Royals linked to Bobby Witt Jr in latest 2019 MLB mock draft

A benefit to having a terrible season in 2018 is that the Kansas City Royals get a high draft pick in the 2019 MLB Draft. They hold the second overall pick and MLB.com linked them to shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.

Jim Callis of MLB.com posted his 2019 MLB Mock Draft for the first 34 picks and has the Kansas City Royals going with Bobby Witt Jr. out of Colleyville Heritage High School in Colleyville, Texas. Witt plays shortstop and is the son of former major leaguer Bobby Witt, who spent 16 years in the big leagues.

As of now, Witt Jr. is committed to play baseball at Oklahoma next spring, but players commit to play at a college all the time. He’s considered the second best prospect in the draft (see more on this below), behind Adley Rutschman of Oregon State, a catcher for the Beavers.

Here is what Callis had to say on him having Witt Jr. land with the Royals,

More from Kansas City Royals

• This Plus-Money Bobby Witt Jr. Prop Bet is on Fire (Hit in 15/21 Games)!
• The Royals Need to Extend Bobby Witt Jr. Immediately
• DraftKings + FanDuel Kansas Promos: INSTANT $150 Bonus Plus Two Chances to Win!
• 3 Royals Players Who Won’t Be on the Roster Next Year
• LAST CHANCE to Claim $250 GUARANTEED Bonus With FanDuel and DraftKings Kansas Promos!

"Kansas City is focusing on the top tier of four players as well. Witt, a potential five-tool shortstop, is the front-runner as of now."

MLB.com has Witt Jr. as their second overall prospect headed into this year’s draft, noting,

"His love for the game is evident, and scouts praise his makeup as much as his physical ability. He’ll turn 19 shortly after the 2019 Draft, making him old for his class and sophomore-eligible in ’21 in the unlikely event he follows through on his commitment to Oklahoma."

Drafting players right out of high school means that it’ll take longer for them to make it to the big leagues, but Bobby Witt Jr. is worth waiting for.

The Royals have Adalberto Mondesi at shortstop, but it wouldn’t be crazy to have Witt learn a new position when he’s in the minor leagues. Mike Moustakas was a shortstop when he was drafted and Alex Gordon played third base while at Nebraska, so this happens quite frequently in baseball.

The Royals and Witt Jr. have been linked together all throughout MLB mock draft season, probably because he’s the second prospect and they’re picking second.

Last year the team opted to go all pitching with their first four selections – all collegiate pitchers – so going with a high school product with their first pick this year makes a lot of sense.

The Royals HAVE to start hitting on their first round picks. They’ve been striking out pretty much since they took Eric Hosmer in 2008 (though Hunter Dozier is proving his worth now) and a rebuilding team HAS to get these high draft selections right.

If Bobby Witt Jr. is the second overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, hopefully he pans out because the Royals will need him to get back to title town in the coming years.