Kansas City Royals may have trouble signing top draft picks
The Kansas City Royals had the most money of any team to spend on draft pool bonuses. However, with the way that money has been spent, they may have problems signing their top draft picks.
In theory, the Kansas City Royals were able to set the course for their future during the 2018 MLB Amateur Draft. With the most money to be spent on signing bonuses, and five of the first 58 picks, the Royals rebuild was getting a shot in the arm in a hurry. At least, that was the expectation.
Instead, the Royals may be in trouble when it comes to those top picks. As it currently stands, after they signed 12th round draft pick Rylan Kaufman to a $722,500 bonus, the Royals have just over $5.8 million left of their $12,781,900 bonus pool. The problem there is that the Royals still have yet to sign three of their top four draft picks, including their top two selections in this year’s draft.
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This is likely to be problematic, especially as the Royals attempt to sign Brady Singer and Jackson Kowar. Singer has looked the part of a possible future ace, even outdueling top draft pick Casey Mize in their matchup in the college baseball postseason. In particular, Singer could be the type of arm that would progress through the Royals system quickly, which would be a boon for a team in desperate need of young pitching.
Instead, the Royals may well have to decide between Singer and Kowar as to which Florida pitcher they sign to a contract. Although it is possible that both sign, as those picks are worth a combined $5,416,000, they would not have a lot of room for other signings. And, if both Kowar and Singer want an overslot bonus, the Royals could be in trouble.
Perhaps this is a part of the plan. Perhaps the Royals know that they can sign one, if not both, of their top picks to a under slot deal. If that is not the case however, the Royals will find themselves without at least one of their expected top prospects for the coming years.
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The Kansas City Royals have already gone through a good portion of their signing pool. That could come back to bite them if they are unable to sign their top draft picks.