Who will the Kansas City Royals take in the 2023 MLB Draft? Here are players to watch
The Kansas City Royals are set to welcome their next wave of talented prospects.
The Royals hold the eighth overall selection in the 2023 MLB Draft. KC will pick three times (No. 8, No. 44 and No. 66) during the first, second and competitive balance rounds.
The MLB Draft consists of 20 rounds beginning Sunday, July 9, at 7 p.m. Eastern (6 p.m. Central). Draft coverage will be broadcast on MLB Network, ESPN, and MLB.com.
Rounds 3-10 will be held Monday, July 10, at 1 p.m. Central. Rounds 11-20 will conclude Tuesday, July 11, at 1 p.m. Central. MLB.com will carry the remaining coverage both days.
The Royals hold a $12,313,500 bonus pool. Each selection in the first 10 rounds has an assigned value. However, teams can decide whether to spend either above or below the designated slot threshold.
KC has a $5,980,100 slot value in the first round and a $1,951,600 slot in the second. The Royals are one of six teams with a pick in the Competitive Balance Round B. They hold a $1,158,900 slot value for 66th selection.
Who could be on the Royals’ radar? Royals general manager J.J. Picollo said the team will prioritize prospects that can develop long-term.
“Our draft philosophy is going to be to take the long-term prospect we can possibly get,” Picollo said. “A guy that we think has the highest ceiling and best return. … It’s 20 new guys this year and that’s exciting.”
Here are some names to watch ahead of the 2023 MLB Draft.
Round 1 Consideration
RHP Rhett Lowder | Wake Forest
Lowder’s stock grew throughout the Men’s College World Series. He finished the 2022-23 season with a 15-0 record and 1.87 ERA. The Royals could be intrigued with his MLB-ready changeup that projects well at the next level.
RHP Chase Dollander | Tennessee
Dollander entered the 2023 season among the top draft-eligible pitching prospects. However, he posted a 4.75 ERA alongside several uneven performances. Dollander’s talent and upper-90s fastball are still there, but it will come down to whether the Royals want to take a risk on him.
Catcher Kyle Teel | Virginia
Kyle Teel is one of the top collegiate hitters available. The 2023 ACC Player of the Year shined with a .407 batting average and .655 slugging percentage. Teel can play multiple positions and has a plus-arm to remain behind the plate long-term.
RHP Noble Meyer | Jesuit High School (Portland, OR)
Meyer is 6-foot-5 and considered the top prep pitcher available. He projects to be a front-line starter who features an electric high-90s fastball. The Royals have experience selecting high-school pitchers. In 2021, KC selected Frank Mozzicato (No. 7) and Ben Kudrna (No. 43).
SS Jacob Wilson | Grand Canyon
Jacob Wilson has an MLB pedigree. His dad, Jack, played 12 seasons with three teams. Wilson projects as a high-contact hitter at the next level. In two seasons, he struck out only 12 times over 492 plate appearances. The Royals value defensive versatility and Wilson fits the bill.
SS Jacob Gonzalez | Ole Miss
Jacob Gonzalez steadily improved with the Rebels. This season, Gonzalez hit .321 with 10 homers and 51 RBIs. There are questions if Gonzalez will stick at shortstop, but the Royals could bank on his consistent bat translating at the next level.
Catcher Blake Mitchell | Sinton High School (Texas)
Mitchell’s strong bat and plus-defense insert him into the No. 8 conversation. If Teel is already gone here and the Royals are dead-set on a catcher, Mitchell could be their guy.
OF Max Clark | Franklin High School (Indiana)
Max Clark has surged up draft boards. There is a lot to like about his hitting tools and plate discipline. Clark is a top-five talent. If he somehow slips, the Royals could take a long look at him.
OF Enrique Bradfield Jr. | Vanderbilt
Enrique Bradfield Jr. already has an elite skill. He is arguably the fastest player in the 2023 MLB Draft. Bradfield is also a solid defender with a plus glove. The Royals could take a look for his defensive potential.
INF Aidan Miller | Mitchell High School (Florida)
Aidan Miller was the 2022 All-American Game MVP and won a Home Run Derby in Los Angeles. This season, Miller was slowed by a broken hamate bone injury (hand). If the Royals feel good about his medicals, Miller has raw power that can translate to a high-upside selection at eighth overall.
Round 2-3 Consideration
OF Jack Hurley | Virginia Tech
The Royals could pair Hurley with collegiate teammate Gavin Cross.
RHP Travis Sykora | Round Rock High (TX)
Sykora has a power fastball that can touch 100 mph.
LHP Alex Clemmey | Bishop Hendricken (RI)
Clemmey is a hard-throwing southpaw. Those are valuable in the MLB Draft.
LHP Joe Whitman | Kent State
The 2023 MAC Pitcher of the Year slings a mid-90s heater, slider and low-80s changeup. He could be a target for the Royals.
Local draft-eligible prospects
SS Nazzan Zanetello | Christian Brothers (MO)
The Florissant, Missouri, native has shown signs of five-tool ability. He should be targeted in the second round.
LHP Adam Hachman | Timberland (MO)
A left-hander from Wentzville, Missouri, Hachman is 6-foot-5 with an electric upper-90s fastball.
OF Spencer Nivens | Missouri State
Nivens has steadily improved. He was named Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year this season.
SS Nick Goodwin | Kansas State
Was a three-time All-Big 12 honorable mention with the Wildcats out of St. Thomas Aquinas in Overland Park.
