Jac Caglianone has already reached the big leagues; Drew Beam and David Shields have looked good early. Can this draft compare?
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The Royals were facing an uphill challenge with this year’s draft as compared to the 2024 version. Last year, the Royals had the sixth-overall pick, but this year they didn’t pick until 23. Fortunately, they also got to pick 28 because Bobby Witt Jr. finished second in MVP Award voting last fall.
Well, @joedoylemilb.bsky.social likes it. That seems positive!
— Royals Review (@royalsreview.bsky.social) 2025-07-14T03:02:24.082Z
The Royals took Sean Gamble with the first pick, Josh Hammond with the second, and were ranked by multiple draft analysts as having one of the best first days.
Finally, Kansas City had a great trio to start off its draft, with two big upside plays in Sean Gamble at 23 (a slight reach for me, but because I think the probability is lower) and Josh Hammond at 28, followed by two-way player Michael Lombardi as a pitcher at 61.
Gamble is a very fast center fielder who needs swing help to get the ball in the air more. Hammond was a two-way player who’s going to be a shortstop or third baseman with power and feel to hit. Lombardi will benefit from focusing full-time on pitching, and the Tulane right-hander was getting a lot of attention late in the spring as it became clear he might be a starter in pro ball.
So sure, we know what they think. But what do you think? How would you grade the Royals 2025 draft?