Kansas City Royals: Tyler Gentry is power hitting corner outfielder

With the 76th overall pick, the Kansas City Royals selected outfielder Tyler Gentry out of the University of Alabama.

The Kansas City Royals continued an outstanding 2020 draft on Thursday. Their second pick on Day 2 was 76th overall and they added a five average or better tool outfielder.

Tyler Gentry is a 6’2”, 210 pound, 21-year-old, right-handed hitting outfielder with above average power, speed, fielding, and arm. He led the University of Alabama in most offensive categories in 2019 and 2020.

Really like the Royals taking Tyler Gentry here. Was having a great spring, solid offensive tools overall
— Teddy Cahill (@tedcahill) June 11, 2020

Gentry’s power leads the way, producing an eye popping 1.304 OPS in 2020 before the season shut down. Gentry has five average of better tools in the outfield. He has the tools to be a 20+ homerun hitter with borderline plus defense in right field.

According to the scouting report on mlb.com;

"“Undrafted out of a Tennessee high school, Gentry spent his freshman season at Walters State (Tenn.) CC and helped the Senators reach the finals of the 2018 Junior College World Series. He topped Alabama in most offensive categories in 2019 and again this spring, when he ranked among the NCAA Division I leaders in all three slash stats (.429/.554/.750) during the shortened season. He could go as early as the second round, which would make him the Crimson Tide’s highest pick since Mikey White went there in 2015.”"

I like Gentry’s swing from the right side of the plate. He doesn’t have a ton of pre-swing movement, stays balanced, and generates good torque with his hips. He drives the ball well to all fields and he’s a good bet to continue to develop into more power.

Gentry’s hit tool is rated at a 50 out of 80 which puts him at MLB average. At times he does chase pitches outside of the zone and will need to do better with pitch recognition and plate discipline.

Scouting grades project him to be an average big league regular. He should be able to produce a .260 batting average with 19-22 homeruns per year. He’s a good baserunner and could steal 10+ bases per year. His defense is borderline plus and he should be an asset in the spacious outfield in Kauffman Stadium.