KCKingdom
Fansided

Kansas City Royals: Brady McConnell and Alec Marsh intriguing draft picks

By Leigh Oleszczak

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - APRIL 26: Alec Marsh #8 of the Arizona State Sun Devils delivers a pitch to the Washington Huskies at Husky Ballpark on April 26, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. Early offense holds up as the Washington Huskies defeat the No. 15 Arizona State Sun Devils, 10-6, to win game one of the three-game series. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - APRIL 26: Alec Marsh #8 of the Arizona State Sun Devils delivers a pitch to the Washington Huskies at Husky Ballpark on April 26, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. Early offense holds up as the Washington Huskies defeat the No. 15 Arizona State Sun Devils, 10-6, to win game one of the three-game series. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Bobby Witt Jr. might have been the pick of the night for the Kansas City Royals in the 2019 MLB Draft, but the Royals had two other selections on day one of the draft. They were Brady McConnell and Alec Marsh.

The Kansas City Royals held the second overall pick, which they used on high school shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., a consensus no-brainer pick. For their 44th selection, they scooped up another shortstop, this time in the form of Brady McConnell out of Florida (I guess the Royals like Florida players). The 70th overall pick saw the Royals take Alec Marsh, a right-handed pitcher out of Arizona State.

McConnell had a .344 batting average with 15 home runs and 48 RBI in 212 at bats with the Florida Gators last year. McConnell doesn’t necessarily have to leave Florida, as he still has eligibility left.

Per 247 Sports, McConnell missed most of his freshman year due to injury, but really bounced back this past year. Now he has the chance to head to the majors and make some money.

More from Kansas City Royals

As for Marsh, the Sun Devils pitcher had a 3.13 ERA and recorded 92 strikeouts with a 9-3 record. The Royals took yet another college pitcher in this year’s draft after selecting five of them with their first five picks last year. Perhaps this strategy pays off with all six of these guys making a legitimate case to be in the starting rotation.

Even if a few don’t pan out, however, the Royals appear to be well-set with these collegiate arms. Brady Singer, Jackson Kowar, Daniel Lynch, and Kris Bubic have looked great this year and Jonathan Bowlan could certainly be grouped into that conversation as well.

While MLB draft picks don’t always make it to the big leagues, the Royals’ three picks this year look to provide a lot of upside. Witt Jr. appears to be a “can’t miss” prospect, but it’ll take him several years to make it through the farm system due to being a high school prospect.

As for McConnell and Marsh, however, they could contribute sooner rather than later hopefully. The Royals do have a solid shortstop already in Adalberto Mondesi, so if McConnell does opt to join the organization, maybe he’ll learn a new position.

Next. Way Too Early 2020 Lineup Prediction. dark

The 2019 MLB Draft continues on Tuesday and that means there will be more draft picks to cover for the Kansas City Royals.

What do you think of the Royals’ first night of the draft? Do you think Brady McConnell or Alec Marsh will make an impact with the team at some point?

Home/Kansas City Royals