KC Royals lose pitching prospect who was selected No. 4 overall in Rule 5 Draft
The Kansas City Royals lost minor-league prospect Noah Murdock in the major-league phase of the 2024 Rule 5 Draft.
Murdock, 26, was a former seventh-round draft pick. He spent his entire professional career in the Royals organization after being selected in the 2019 MLB Draft. Last season, Murdock reached Triple-A and posted a 3.16 ERA in 46 minor league appearances.
The Athletics took Murdock fourth overall in the Rule 5 Draft. Per MLB rules, the Royals will receive $100,000 in exchange for Murdock joining the Athletics’ 26-man active roster.
There were 15 players selected in the major league phase on Wednesday. The Royals didn’t make a selection but were active in the minor league phase.
The Royals selected outfielder Bryan Gonzalez and pitcher Landon Marceaux with the No. 17 and No. 41 picks respectively.
Gonzalez hit .271 with 20 home runs and 59 RBIs in 93 minor league games. He added 13 doubles and 15 stolen bases in the Boston Red Sox organization.
Marceaux pitched in the New York Mets organization. He missed the 2024 campaign with an injury but has intriguing metrics. The former LSU product had a 5.50 ERA in 18 minor league starts in 2023.
The Royals have found success in the Rule 5 Draft. Former pitcher Brad Keller produced a 4.27 ERA in six seasons with the Royals.
Last season, KC acquired Matt Sauer in the 2023 Rule 5 Draft. He earned a roster spot out of spring training but was sent back to the New York Yankees in May.
