A.J. Puckett, a right-handed pitcher from Pepperdine University, became the first Royals’ selection in Thursday’s portion of the Major League Baseball amateur draft.
Puckett, who is 6 feet 4 and 200 pounds, went 9-3 with a 1.27 ERA in 99 innings in his junior season.
He was selected 67th overall in a slot valued at $963,000. The Royals’ first selection came in the second round after they lost their first-round pick, No. 25 overall, to the Padres as compensation for pitcher Ian Kennedy, who signed in January.
It was the only selection made by the Royals on the first day of the draft, which continues on Friday with rounds 3-10.