Royals draft Platte County catcher Justin Mitchell, but he says he will go to college

The Royals’ search for their 39th-round pick didn’t leave the Kansas City metro.

Platte County High School catcher Justin Mitchell said he fulfilled a lifelong goal Wednesday when the Royals selected him with pick No. 1,170 in the MLB Draft. But it’s one he says he will bypass, at least temporarily.

Mitchell has signed to play with Oklahoma, a commitment he plans to honor.

“It was pretty cool, but I’m going to Oklahoma — 100 percent,” Mitchell said in a phone interview with The Star.

Mitchell batted .480 this spring, his senior season with Platte County. He produced 21 extra-base hits in 75 at-bats, including eight home runs. He drove in 40.

On Wednesday, he found out he was drafted when he woke up from a nap to a bevy of text messages.

“Growing up in Kansas City, I was always cheering for the Royals,” Mitchell said. “That part was pretty cool.”

On the other hand, Mitchell expressed disappointment with not being selected earlier in the draft. He is currently in Texas playing in a summer league.

“It’s going to make me work that much harder,” he said.

Royals’ selections (rounds 11-40)

Note: With round, overall selection, player name, position and high school/college.

11 (330) Sal Biasi, RHP, Penn State

12 (360) Collin Snider, RHP, Vanderbilt

13 (390) Cason Sherrod, RHP, Texas A&M

14 (420) Isaiah Henry, RHP, North Shore HS, Houston

15 (450) Robert Garcia, LHP, California

16 (480) Chris Hudgins, C, CSU Fullerton

17 (510) Julio Gonzalez, SS, Fla. Gulf Coast

18 (540) Marlin Willis, LHP, McEachern HS, Powder Springs, Ga.

19 (570) Korry Howell, SS, Kirkwood CC

20 (600) Bryar Johnson, RHP, Carolina Forest HS, Myrtle Beach, S.C.

21 (630) Isaiah Smith, OF, Battle Ground (Wash.) HS

22 (660) Josh Mitchell, LHP, Pittsburgh

23 (690) Matt Morales, SS, Palm Beach CC

24 (720) Connor Mayes, RHP, Texas

25 (750) Tyler James, CF, William Carey

26 (780) Garrett Suchey, RHP, Alabama

27 (810) Nick Hutchins, C, Southern Illinois

28 (840) Tylor Fischer, RHP, Langham Creek HS, Houston

29 (870) Travis Jones, UTL, Texas

30 (900) Adam Bainbridge, LHP, Old Dominion

31 (930) Justin Vought, C, Wyoming Valley West HS, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

32 (960) Andrew Beckwith, RHP, Coastal Carolina

33 (990) Damon Olds, RHP, Indiana State

34 (1,020) Jackson Klein, RHP, Stanford

35 (1,050) Reed Rohlman, OF, Clemson

36 (1,080) Brady Cox, C, Texas

37 (1,110) Trevor Hauver, SS, Perry HS, Chandler, Ariz.

38 (1,140) Montae Bradshaw, CF, Patrick Henry CC

39 (1,170) Justin Mitchell, C, Platte County HS

40 (1,200) Yaniel Ramos, SS, Carlos Beltran Academy, Carolina, P.R.

This story was originally published June 14, 2017 at 7:00 PM with the headline "Royals draft Platte County catcher Justin Mitchell, but he says he will go to college."