The NFL Draft took place this week in Kansas City and although the MLB Draft won’t occur until July 9-11 this season, the Royals’ draft strategy is already front and center in the minor leagues this season. Recently, we’ve seen a slight shift in Kansas City’s draft plan and it’s paying early dividends already down on the farm.
Early-round picks have traditionally been where Royals’ drafts have lived — and died. Historically, drafts have been characterized by how those first-round picks fare. A successful selection later in the draft was just icing on the cake or a silver lining in an otherwise poor crop of draft signings.