Kansas City Royals sign their 1st 19 MLB Draft selections. GM discusses what comes next
The 2023 MLB Draft’s conclusion on Tuesday, July 11 meant at least two things for the Kansas City Royals:
Another batch of prospects would soon be entering the organization’s farm system, and just six days remained until an important and related date: rookie minicamp.
Royals general manager JJ Picollo on Wednesday said the Royals began holding that minicamp in Arizona on Monday. And he emphasized the importance of signing the organization’s new draft picks.
Luckily, the Royals have done just that. Per the Royals’ Player Development Twitter account, the club signed all of its first 19 selections from the three-day draft, ranging from first-round catcher Blake Mitchell to 18th-rounder Stone Russell.
Picollo said that he thinks this is the first time the Royals have had this many players signed so quickly.
“It’s always good when you get them signed quick,” he said. “Usually it takes seven, eight days to get them going, but we had them all in Arizona by Sunday night, which just creates a lot of continuity. So it’s good for the organization.”
Picollo said the minicamp includes introductory meetings with strength and conditioning personnel, coaching staff, the medical department and more. And with so many of the recently drafted players already signed, Picollo said the organization can take five or six days to get them acclimated.
Although he hasn’t yet had the chance to meet each draft pick in person, Picollo expressed enthusiasm about the class, describing it as a “pretty good balance.”
It’s a mix of high-ceiling talent that seems to stay true to the club’s prioritization of pitching — 11 arms and one two-way player. Additionally, Piccolo was happy with the premium position players KC selected, such as the catcher Mitchell and several middle infielders.
“Our scouts did a great job of telling us who really wants to go play,” Piccolo said. “Looking back and trying to re-create our draft board and re-create how it all happened, I think the result is something we are really excited about.”
Unlike the 2022 MLB Draft, when the Royals’ first 17 picks were all college prospects, three of the team’s first four selections this year were high schoolers. The club’s final three picks were, as well. Knowing the draft-bonus pool gave the Royals a good idea for what each player would ultimately command in signing, Picollo noted.
He went on to say the newcomers can now build camaraderie in Arizona as they pursue their careers in professional baseball.
“Bottom line, that’s the most important thing,” Piccolo said. “The guys that want to get out and get going, (it’s a) pretty good indication that their makeup is right. They’re anxious to get out there.”
