Nick Loftin provides versatility for Kansas City Royals

Shortstop Nick Loftin was the pick for the Kansas City Royals at number 32 overall in the 2020 MLB Draft.

According to Kansas City Royals beat writer Jeffrey Flanagan, the Royals dream scenario played out to perfection last night!

"“The Royals rated Loftin so high that general manager Dayton Moore said they might have taken him at No. 4 had Lacy not fallen to them.“That’s how thrilled we are with this process,” Moore said. “About 10 days ago, we were comparing Austin Martin and Nick Loftin. And truthfully, there was a split camp on that because of Nick’s ability to play shortstop.”"

The Royals were able to take the best starting pitcher, Asa Lacy, at fourth overall and found themselves overjoyed when Nick Loftin was available when the Royals selected again with the 32nd overall pick.

The versatile Nick Loftin can play above average defense all over the field, but is most capable of playing plus defense at the premium defensive position of shortstop. I did not personally think Loftin would be available for the Royals when they made their choice in the supplemental first round.

The 6’1”, 185 pound Loftin has been an exceptional defender and consistent hitter at Baylor University since arriving on campus in 2018. His lightning quick, short compact swing is designed to make line-drive contact allowing him to spray the ball all over the field.

He is able to turn on inside pitching making him a danger to pull homeruns over the left-field wall. Loftin is a difficult at-bat each turn at the plate and was one of the more difficult position players to strike-out during his time at Baylor.

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Loftin has some of the most desirable make-up components of any draft prospects. Playing for Team USA, Loftin made it known to the staff he was willing to do whatever it took to contribute to the team’s success.

The coaching staff deployed Loftin at multiple positions utilizing him a “super-utility” man. His work ethic, desire to win at all costs, and flexibility to man multiple position had the Team USA staff claiming he had the best make-up on the field.

Loftin has the frame to put on more muscle weight (power). Currently he is content on spraying line-drives all over the field, but there is more power to unlock. He is a tough at-bat each time up, a plus defender at shortstop, and is above average defensively at multiple other positions. There is a lot to like with this pick.

I expect Loftin to move quickly through the Royals farm system. He conservatively projects with his scouting grades to be a .260 hitter with 7 – 10 homeruns per year.

I like his work ethic, swing, and plate approach so much I project him to be higher at his peak averaging above .270 at the plate with around 15 homeruns per year and 40+ extra base hits. He has impressive instincts on the base-paths and could nab 15+ stolen bases per year.

This was an excellent selection for the Kansas City Royals.