Royals Draft Report Card

By John Manuel
October 23, 2009

QUICK TAKE

The Royals didn't match last year's record $11 million-plus draft outlay but still spent $5.6 million, going over slot for their top three picks. If this draft class doesn't pan out, it will be because the Royals didn't evaluate, not because they didn't spend.

POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER:: The Royals thought about taking Will Myers (3) 12th overall because of his polished bat. He has a smooth swing he repeats well and quick, strong hands that help him catch up to good fastballs. >> BEST POWER HITTER:: Myers has the potential to hit 20-25 home runs down the line, if not more, thanks to the leverage generated by his sturdy 6-foot-3 frame. >> FASTEST RUNNER:: SS Justin Trapp (34) was committed to play football as a quarterback at Coastal Carolina, but his 6.6-second speed over 60 yards plays well on the baseball diamond as well. >> BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Another two-sport athlete, OF Lane Adams (13), has the present speed and plus arm to fit in center field, but the Royals expect the 6-foot-4, 190-pounder to fill out and be an above-average right fielder in time.

PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: Velocity, command and life on his heater made RHP Aaron Crow (1) a two-time first-round pick. He can pitch at 92-96 mph with command and hard sink. >> BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Crow has used a plus slider as a stirkeout pitch. LHP Chris Dwyer (4) signed for $1.45 million as a freshman out of Clemson thanks to a 90-94 mph heater and plus curveball that at times is a true hammer.  He was a true freshman thanks to an extra year in elementary school and one year at prep school.

ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Myers hit .369/.427/.679 overall in 84 at-bats in two Rookie-level stops. RHP Patrick Keating (20) struck out 47 in 33 innings and saved nine in 24 games, finishing at high Class A Wilmington. Venezuelan LHP Claudio Bavera (33) went 4-0, 0.44 with 21 strikeouts in 21 innings in the Rookie-level Arizona League. >> BEST ATHLETE: Trapp and Adams, who had a Missouri State basketball scholarship. >> MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND:: A shooting guard, Adams averaged 32 points a game as a senior to lead Red Oak High to a state championship and ranks fifth in Oklahoma prep history with 3,251 points. RHP Cole White (6), a drummer and singer who also happens to throw in the mid-90s at times, co-wrote a song that was submitted for Grammy Award consideration. RHP Josh Worrell (30) is the son of ex-Cardinals reliever Todd Worrell. >> CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Crow, soon to be 23 and making his pro debut in the Arizona Fall League after signing in September. >> BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: Keating, whose fastball touches 95 and whose two-seam sinker can reach 91-92, also pounded the strike zone as a pro with a solid hard slider. Lane and Tripp have a ways to but higher upsides due to their athleticism. >> THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: RHP Mike Morin (40) improved his stock as the No. 1 prospect in the MINK League this summer, hitting 93 mph with his fastball and showing a good curveball, but North Carolina swooped in late to add him to its recruiting class.