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Kansas City Royals: What to expect in the 2019 MLB Draft

By Cullen Jekel

OMAHA, NE - JUNE 28: Adley Rutschman #35 of the Oregon State Beavers reacts to a play against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the Division I Men's Baseball Championship held at TD Ameritrade Park on June 28, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
OMAHA, NE - JUNE 28: Adley Rutschman #35 of the Oregon State Beavers reacts to a play against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the Division I Men's Baseball Championship held at TD Ameritrade Park on June 28, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by William Purnell/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by William Purnell/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Royals have three more selections in the first 100 picks—at numbers 44, 70, and 80. Who are some players to watch at those spots?

While this draft isn’t as deep as it was last year, there’s plenty of talent to be found at 44, 70, and 80. A couple guys that could be around in the second round that I like are Greg Jones (SS, UNC Wilmington), and Kendall Williams (RHP, IMG Academy, FL).

Jones is a quick twitch, switch-hitting shortstop with top of the scale speed. He’s cut down on his strikeouts this year, increasing his on-base skills. He might not stick at short, and could profile well in center. Williams is an ultra projectable 6-foot-6 righty who works downhill with a low 90s fastball and three playable secondaries.

A few guys I like in the 70-to-80 range include Matt Cronin (LHP, Univ. of Arkansas), Ryan Zeferjahn (RHP, Kansas) and Ivan Johnson (2B, Chipola JC, FL).

Cronin has power stuff, he’s a reliever only but could move quickly in pro ball. Zeferjahn has been good in a starter role, but the stuff plays up in shorter stints, and I think he could thrive as a high leverage reliever. Johnson is the best JUCO hitter in this class, with bat speed from both the right and left side.

Right now—which, granted, is just over a quarter of the way through the season—the Royals have the third-worst record in the Majors behind the Marlins and Orioles. Can you give me some names of players to watch who are likely to go in the Top 5 in the 2020 Draft?

I’ve seen enough 2020 guys to be really excited about that class.

  • Arizona State 1B Spencer Torkelson packs a lot of thump, and a track record hitting with wood in the Cape Cod League (.333/.472/.704, 7 HR).
  • Emerson Hancock (RHP, Univ. of Georgia) has electric stuff and can run his fastball into the high 90s.
  • Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF, Harvard-Weatlake HS, CA) is a toolsy left-handed hitter who can fly around the bases and really go get it in center.
  • J.T. Ginn (RHP, Mississippi St.) will be a draft eligible sophomore next year after being a first rounder last year (Yankees, 30th Overall). He’s stepped into the SEC as a true freshman and shoved (8-3, 95Ks & 16BB in 75 innings). He’s got a plus fastball/plus slider combo.
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