2005 Draft Update

The Royals are still trying to sign Gordon and Nicoll. The Royals have submitted initial offers to Gordon, so negotiations are underway. The results on the 2nd and 4th round picks so far have been good, especially considering they were considered overdrafted by Baseball America. Billy Butler was considered to be "overdrafted" last year. That's hardly the case now. If the Royals' scouts can get the best talent available and sign them for less, more power to them. Early results on the Royals' top 10 picks look pretty good.

Round 2: SS Jeffrey Bianchi/HS

Bianchi is off to a very good start in the Arizona Rookie League. Bianchi is 19 for 38 so far with 4 HRs, 2 triples, and 4 doubles, and a team-leading 15 RBIs. Bianchi is off to a great start.

Round 4: CF Joseph Dickerson/HS

Dickerson is also off to a good start on the Arizona Rookie Team. Dickerson is 15 for 36 with 8 extra base hits.

Round 5: SS Shawn Hayes/College

Hayes is off to a slow start at Idaho Falls. Hayes has gone 7 for 31 with 3 doubles.

Round 6: LHP Ryan DiPietro/College

DiPietro has pitched in his first 3 starts at Idaho Falls. He's shown very good command, with just 2 walks in 11 2/3 innings and 13 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.97.

Round 7: LHP Brent Fisher/HS

Fisher has the potential for two plus pitches, but is still pretty raw.

Round 8: C Nicholas Doscher/HS

Doscher hasn't done much at the plate, just 2 for 13 so far. Like Fisher, Doscher is more of a project.

Round 9: C Kiel Thibault/College

Thibault has been productive so far, going 6 for 19 for Idaho Falls.

Round 10: C Jeffrey Howell/College

Howell is 8 for 21 with 7 runs scored, 1 triple, 1 HR, and no errors for Idaho Falls.