Kansas City Royals: 2020 MLB Mock Draft 2.0
By Cody Rickman
The unusual circumstances of the 2020 season has changed the upcoming June 10th and 11th MLB Draft. The Kansas City Royals scouting department and front office are under extraordinary pressure to make their six draft choices count.
The upcoming MLB amateur draft will have five rounds. The Kansas City Royals will get six picks to bolster their prospect talent with picks 4, 32, 41, 76, 105, and 135. After the five-round draft, an unlimited number of undrafted amateur free agents can be signed for $20,000 or less.
The Royals have the following picks (pick value):
- 1st Round (#4 overall) – $6,664,000
- 1st Round Supplemental (#32 overall) – $2,257,300
- 2nd Round (#41 overall) – $1,813,500
- 3rd Round (#76 overall) – $818,200
- 4th Round (#105 overall) – $554,300
- 5th Round (#135 overall) – $414,000
Previous Mock Drafts:
Mock Draft 2.0
The Royals could employ the following strategy of selecting a mixture of high floor and high ceiling prospects (we will start with the fifth round and work our way to the first round):
Kansas City Royals Mock Draft 2.0
Round 5, pick 135: Marquis Grissom Jr, Starting Pitcher (RHP)
Marquis Grissom Jr. is a 6’2”, 195 pound, right-handed starting pitcher high school prospect from Atlanta, Georgia. Grissom is the son of the retired, 17-year former two-time All-Star outfielder Marquis Grissom.
My scouting report gives Grissom the following future tool grades:
- Overall: 50
- Fastball: 55 (91 – 95 mph)
- Curveball: 55 (high 70s mph)
- Slider: 50 (low 80s mph)
- Changeup: 55 (mid 80s mph)
- Control: 50
According to the scouting report on Grissom at perfectgame.org;
"“Marquis Grissom Jr is a 2020 RHP/OF with a 6-2 180 lb. frame from Atlanta, GA who attends Counterpane. Long and slender young build, lots of room to fill out and get stronger. High 3/4’s to over the top arm slot, gets downhill very well and pitches with angle, some energy at release, consistent with his release points and slot. Upper 80’s fastball, topped out at 90, has been up to 92 mph in the past, worked his fastball to both sides of the plate with intent. Big breaking curveball with power and depth, tunneled well with his fastball, curveball has a chance to be a plus pitch in the future. Solid change up with fading action and good arm speed. Works quickly and fields his position well. High ceiling young talent who just needs to get stronger to take the next step. Good student, verbal commitment to Georgia Tech.”"
Grissom Jr. has four above-average pitch offerings with his fastball, curveball, and change-up on the cusp of grading as plus pitches with their movement. He throws a sinker around 91 mph with excellent riding movement in addition to his 95 mph four-seamer.
His curveball is big, powerful, and has plenty of depth which couples well with his fastball (91 – 95 mph). The change-up shows nice drop and fade and is borderline plus when his feel for command is right.
The slider is still in development and once he finds more confidence in the offering, the pitch could become another plus pitch. The slider has late/quick movement and Grissom disguises the pitch well with the sinker.
I spoke with retired, 10-year MLB pitcher Marvin Freeman regarding his tutelage and mentorship of Marquis Grissom Jr:
"“Grissom Jr. displays top of the charts work ethic putting on 20 lbs of muscle, working on functional strength deficiencies in mechanics, and improving those to clean up the kinetic chain. He has the ability to correct his mechanics while he’s on the mound and there is an observable competitive nature in Grissom Jr. you desire in a pitching prospect. He is mentally a beast on the mound competitively and there is a strong desire to continually improve. His work ethic, downhill mechanics, and willingness to improve are key components of his make-up.”"
Grissom Jr. could be one of the best under-the-radar draft choices in 2020. He has the work ethic and talent to be a future first round draft choice. If the Royals can get him to sign in 2020, they will be getting a high ceiling prospect with outstanding work ethic, competitive mentality, and family pedigree to reach or exceed his potential.