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The first 30 rounds of the 2011 MLB Draft are now history for the Royals as on the day Kansas City chose 29 players in addition to last night's selection of outfielder Bubba Starling in the first round. So far, Kansas City has chosen 17 college players, while 13 are high school players. The first five picks the Royals made in this draft were high schoolers, which shows plenty of upside as the organization tries to add to that second wave of prospects that are in the lower minor leagues. Kansas City also took 17 pitchers, of which six are left-handed. For position players, the most Kansas City selected was three catchers on the day.
One of those catchers came in the second round, in the form of high schooler Cameron Gallagher of Manheim Township High School in Pennsylvania. Gallagher has already made his intentions known, as he will be signing with the Royals, instead of attending East Carolina University. Gallagher spoke with Fox 43 News after being selected as the newest member of the Royals family.
With the third round choice, Kansas City took 6'0" right handed pitcher Bryan Brickhouse from The Woodlands High School in Texas. The Woodlands is a prominent high school program, having produced Jameson Taillon (last years #2 over pick by the Pirates), and current Blue Jay Kyle Drabek. Royals minor leaguer Brett Eibner (Class A Kane County), also hails from there. Brickhouse, who is committed to North Carolina, is a power arm who can run it up there near the mid 90's with his fastball.
Kansas City took another high school arm in the fourth round, this time being Kyle Smith another 6'0" righty from Santaluces High School in Florida. Smith is committed to the instate Gators, and is expected to be a tough sign.
The run of high school players lasted until the fifth inning, where Kansas City selected shortstop Patrick Leonard, of St. Thomas High School in Texas. His baseball coach there was none other than Craig Biggio. At 6'4" 200 lbs, Leonard has a lot of size and potentially could end up at a corner infield spot. Leonard is committed to play baseball at Georgia.
Finally in the sixth inning, Kansas City selected a college player in 6'3" left handed pitcher Cesar Ogando from Carribean University. He's only 18 and already throws in the 90's.
Oregon's Kellen Moen, a 6'2" righty was selected in the seventh. A reliever for the Ducks, he put up solid numbers this season.
Kansas City went back to the high school ranks in the eighth round, choosing 6'5" RHP Evan Beal from South County HS in Virginia. Beal is committed to South Carolina, a school that has been very good to the Royals in recent years. And with his size, he should be able to add velocity as he grows older.
Pitchers were again taken in the ninth and 10th rounds, both right-handed college pitchers in the 6'4" Aaron Brooks from Cal State-San Bernadino and 6'4 Matt Murray from Georgia Southern. Murray is from the same college as current Royals reliever Everett Teaford.
Of the other high school players taken on Tuesday, below is a list of known schools they are commited to play for next year-
Rell Allen CF - ?
Adam Schemenauer LHP - Louisville
Jack Lopez SS - Miami
Lee Clubb OF - Colorado State (football)
Jordan Ramsey RHP - UNC-Wilmington
Jakob Junis RHP - North Carolina State
Mark Binford LHP - Virginia
Below you can find a recap of all the players selected on Tuesday. Continue to check back on Wednesday for more coverage.