The Royals have used the 21st pick in the draft to select right-handed pitcher Ashe Russell out of Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. Baseball America ranked Russell the 17th best prospect in the draft. Fangraphs ranked him 37th.
In a draft where many of the top young arms have struggled to stay healthy, Russell has consistently been the same high-octane arm that impressed scouts last summer on the showcase circuit. Russell is blessed with a very quick arm that has consistently sat at 92-94 mph and has touched 97 at his best.