Over the next few days we will look more in depth on the impressive Royals draft class the organization was able to bring together in signing 22 of their first 25 picks, but we also should take a look at who the Royals were unable to sign.
The best among that group may be eighth round selection Evan Beal, a 6’5" right handed pitcher from Virginia who will be attending the University of South Carolina this fall. South Carolina took home their second consecutive national championship this summer, and as the summer dragged on, it came as no surprise down the stretch that Beal would honor his commitment to the Gamecocks. In late July Beal made it known he would be passing on the Royals (according to the Lorton Patch). It wasn’t for a lack of money as the Royals offered a reported $650,000 for Beal to sign.
Another player the Royals missed out on signing was University of California-Berkeley pitcher Matt Flemer. Flemer, whom the Royals selected in the 19th round pitched this past season for a Bears team that made the NCAA College World Series all while the baseball program was on the brink of elimination due to budget concerns. Flemer appeared in 30 games out the bullpen for the team and was 4-2 with a 1.83 ERA. He struck out 41 while walking just eight hitters, and lead the Bears with six saves. He will turn 21 this fall, so Flemer likely would have been able to move up the Kansas City chain rather quickly.
Overall the Royals were able to sign 34 of their 50 draft selections with 10 of those unsigned selections coming in the 31st round or later.