2005 Draft Update

The Royals 2005 draft appears to be a success as well. The Royals took the best player available with the #2 overall pick in the draft. Jeffrey Bianchi and Joseph Dickerson both appeared to be signability picks, but have done very well so far. The Royals didn't have any extra compensation picks, so it appears they did pretty well. However, the Royals still need to sign Gordon. Not doing so would make the draft an absolute disaster.

1-2: Alex Gordon/3B: Gordon, if he signs, will provide the Royals with another All-Star caliber talent. Gordon will likely start at High Desert or Wichita once he signs. The hold up may be that Gordon wants a major league contract. I don't mind giving that too him. He'll be on the big league club quickly enough that options shouldn't be a big deal. I can think of 5-10 players on the 40-man roster that are readily expendable for a top talent like Gordon. Grade: A if he signs; F if he doesn't

2-50: Jeffrey Bianchi/SS: Bianchi appears to be an excellent pick by the Royals. Bianchi is tearing up the Arizona Rookie League and his hitting ability appears to be very advanced. One scout even said his hitting ability is on par with the first-overall pick in the draft, Justin Upton.
Grade: A

2005 stats: (AZL) 88 ABs .420/.491/.773 6 HRs 28 RBIs

3-82: Chris Nicoll/RHP: Nicoll has good command and 3 average pitches (fastball, slider, curve) and the slider and maybe the fastball has plus potential. His excellent command will help him. Grade: B+

4-112: Joseph Dickerson/CF: Dickerson's video wasn't that impressive. He does have a good swing that produces line drives and has good speed. He's doing well in his debut in the Arizona Rookie League. Grade: B+

2005 stats: (AZL) 131 ABs .321/.405/.565 2 HRs 24 RBIs

5-142: Shawn Hayes/SS: Hayes' debut has been less than impressive. Supposedly a toolsy shortstop, so we'll see if those tools develop. Grade: D

2005 stats: (Pio) 48 ABs .208/.316/.292

6-172: Ryan DiPietro/LHP: Pietro has marginal fastball and two secondary pitches that could develop into plus pitches. He's struggling at Idaho Falls. Grade: B-

2005 stats: (Pio) 6.63 ERA 36 2/3 IP 10 BBs 30 Ks

7-202: Brent Fisher/LHP: Fisher has had a solid debut in the Arizona Rookie League. Fisher could develop two plus pitches and is developing his changeup. His command has been very good, with just 5 walks in 32 IP. Grade: A

2005 stats: (AZL) 4-1 3.38 ERA 32 IP 5 BBs 39 Ks

8-232: Nicholas Doscher/C: Doscher hasn't played much in the Arizona Rookie League. He has plus-potential defensively and should hit for power. Grade: B

9-262: Kiel Thibault/C: Thibault has good defensive skills behind the plate. He has a quick release and an accurate arm which will make up for near-average arm strength. Grade: A-

2005 stats: (Pio) 69 ABs .290/.357/.507 2 HRs 13 RBIs

10-292: Jeffrey Howell/C: Howell has had a good offensive debut in the Pioneer League. Seems to have pretty average skills all-around. Grade: B+

2005 stats: (Pio) 81 ABs .387/.457/.519 1 HR 14 RBIs

11-322: Michael Penn/RHP: Good control so far, with 20 strikeouts to just 4 walks

12-352: James Harkcom/RHP: Has pretty good stuff, but has been hit around so far

13-382: Andrew Larsen/CF: Posting a .270/.364/.475 line at Idaho Falls

14-412: Antonio Sabatini/CF: .276/.344/.405 at Idaho Falls

15-442: Brady Everett/C: Bat is his strength, could end up at 1B. Hitting .363/.451/.606

21-622: David Henninger/RHP: Henninger has pitched well at Idaho Falls, with a 3.86 ERA and 35 Ks in 35 IP.

Overall, the 2005 draft looks pretty good once Gordon signs. The Royals got two very good talents in Gordon and Bianchi. The Royals added 3 good college catchers who should add some depth to the system. The Royals did need to add some more pitching though. Overall, I'd give the draft a B+ as of now.