Royals *** Official 2018 Royals Repository *** - Page 80

The season is upon us, even if spring is not.

2018 MLB Draft Picks
#18
#33 - Compensation (Eric Hosmer)
#34 - Compensation (Lorenzo Cain)
#40 (Competitive Balance Round A)

018 Draft Names to Watch

RHP Kumar Rocker, N Oconnee HS, Georgia.

Spoiler!

OF Jarred Kelenic, Waukasha West HS, WI

Spoiler!

1B Triston Casas, American Heritage HS (FL).

Spoiler!

RHP Carter Stewart, Eau de Gallie HS (Ga).

Spoiler!

ANY Any, Any (Any). Any current top projected pick who slides for injury concerns. Includes current top prospect prospect SP Brady Singer, U of Florida.

Current Prospects to Watch:

OF Seuly Matias - Huge tools. Hit 2 HR in Lexington (A) season opener.

1B Nick Pratto - Top pick in 17 has advanced approach and good glove; needs to start tapping into power in first full year in minors. Also at Lexington.

OF Michael Gigliotti - Good defender in CF, good OBP skills, plus baserunner. Next mainstay in CF for KC, IMO. Advanced college bat also starting at Lexington.

OF Khalil Lee - Probably has highest upside in Royals' system. Could hit 30 HR in majors, could steal 30 bases. Plus defensive ability in RF. Nice test at Wilmington this year.

3B Emmanuel Rivera - Really nice approach and good contact skills. Power is still developing. Also getting a good test at Wilmington.

SP Foster Griffin - Made nice strides in 2017. Needs to continue to progress in 2018. Could be a lefty version of Jakob Junis (good breaking ball that he can really manipulate, OK fastball, good command).

1B Samir Duenez - Duenez still is intriguing, hoping for a step forward in his power production this year at Northwest Arkansas, which would turn him into a legit prospect.

Others to keep an eye on:
SP Gerson Garabito (Wilmington), OF Marten Gasparini (Lexington), C MJ Melendez (Lexington), RP Tyler Zuber (lexington), RP Richard Lovelady (Omaha), SP Dan Tillo (Lexington), SS Nicky Lopez (NWA), SP Scott Blewett (NWA), OF Brewer Hicklen (Idaho Falls),

In general, Lexington and Wilmington are the most interesting spots to watch. Nice depth and a lot of interesting pieces at both.
[Reply]

Brice Turang and Joe Gray are other names to watch. As a sophomore and junior, turang was viewed as a potential 1-1 pick. He had a so-so Sr season and now is a back half of the first round projection. He’s a switch hitter with a polished hit tool who will stick at SS. I get a strong Lindor vibe from him... ina. Smaller, great player who is seen as a contact and defense SS but has the capacity for much more due to instincts and intelligence.

Gray is very similar to Jordyn Adams in physical skills but has a better track record against better competition.
[Reply]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho:
Brice Turang and Joe Gray are other names to watch. As a sophomore and junior, turang was viewed as a potential 1-1 pick. He had a so-so Sr season and now is a back half of the first round projection. He’s a switch hitter with a polished hit tool who will stick at SS. I get a strong Lindor vibe from him... ina. Smaller, great player who is seen as a contact and defense SS but has the capacity for much more due to instincts and intelligence.

Gray is very similar to Jordyn Adams in physical skills but has a better track record against better competition.

Prediction on who they pick?
[Reply]

Keith Law's mock draft for the Royals.

Originally Posted by :
Kansas City Royals: Jordan Groshans, 3b, Magnolia (Texas) HS

The Royals pick again at 33, 34, 40 and 58, so they're linked to ... everyone. And I am sure most of it is real. I have heard them specifically with Groshans and Turang, with Mason Denaburg, with Jake McCarthy, with Jeremy Eierman, with Scott and Adams, and that's probably about right. When you pick that often and have that much pool money, you should be linked to a lot of players. They do have the opportunity to walk out of this with three first-round talents if they play the board well.

Essentially he's saying he has no clue.
[Reply]