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The Kansas City Royals have a ton of experience picking within the top 10 in the first round of the MLB Draft. From 2019 to 2024, their lowest draft pick was ninth overall.
Over the years, the team has flip-flopped between taking college talent and high school talent. It seems they are more inclined to take the best overall player, despite their age.
And later this summer, they could have a hard decision on their hands. They have been given the No. 6 overall pick, and there will be plenty of talent to choose from at that spot.
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Royals projected to take a gamble on a high-upside prep arm in latest mock
The Royals have been more inclined to take position players over the years rather than a pitcher, with their latest being Frank Mozzicato during the 2021 MLB Draft. However, that could come to a change later this summer.
Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter links them to prep arm Gio Rojas and believes they could take a similar approach to what they did when they drafted Mozzicato.
"The Royals reached for a prep left-hander Frank Mozzicato with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2021 draft, then used some savings to sign a prep catcher named Carter Jensen...A similar approach makes sense this year, and Rojas has been viewed as the consensus top high school arm in the class. The 6"4', 190-pound southpaw offers an intriguing combination of polish and upside, with ace-caliber upside if everything clicks."
Rojas has an excellent fastball that can sit at 98 mph, and he can command it on both sides of the plate. He also has a devastating slider while he is still working on his changeup.
He has all the makings to be a frontline starter if he can develop another pitch, and could be a strong pick for the Royals at No. 6 if he develops as scouts believe he can.
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