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Kansas City Royals: Options for the ninth pick in the 2022 MLB Draft

By Kevin Henry

Jul 30, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A Kansas City Royals hat and glove in the dugout during a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 30, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A Kansas City Royals hat and glove in the dugout during a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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What could the Kansas City Royals do with the ninth overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft? ESPN baseball insider Kiley McDaniel offered his thoughts on what direction the team may go when they are on the clock on Sunday, July 17.

Kansas City Royals MLB Draft talk: Could one of these players be the selection with the ninth overall pick?

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, including Call to the Pen, McDaniel said that the Kansas City Royals could well be the first team to take a pitcher with its selection in the draft.

“Do they want to take the first pitcher off the board, which they seem to be the first spot where that’s getting rumored?” McDaniel asked as part of his thoughts on the potential pick.

While taking a pitcher is a possibility, McDaniel also offered a few position players who could be available and taken by the Royals.

“I think the top tier guys include Cam Collier (high school third baseman), Brooks Lee (college shortstop), maybe Jacob Berry (college infielder/outfielder) in that group. I think Elijah Green (high school outfielder) might be the guy that finds his way down there. I think he fits their type,” McDaniel said. “I think they’re considering, hey, let’s take Gavin Cross (college outfielder). If he gets here, we’ll take him. Let’s go over to get Elijah Green, keep from going lower. Let’s take a guy like Justin Crawford (high school outfielder) a couple picks ahead of where he’s going to go, save a little bit of money and keep playing down the board, or let’s just do something crazy and go way under.”

You can learn more about each of the candidates listed by McDaniel as a potential choice for the Royals here. Of particular note, the 18-year-old Green, out of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., possesses what MLB.com calls “the best power” of anyone in the draft class.

Next. Why this Royals trade could be a sign of things to come. dark

Kansas City owns the ninth pick and then does not pick again until the 49th pick, which is part of the second round. Kansas City did have the 35th overall pick but made a trade with the Atlanta Braves that brought three prospects to the Royals organization.

MLB Network will televise the 2022 draft, beginning at 6 p.m. (Central time) on Sunday.

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