DRAFT - KC Royals

[SubGod22]

And a little more. This time with some video.

[RoyalShock]

The kid does look natural in the field. And he has a good line-drive stroke from the left side. I like the signing.

[SubGod22]

Royals sign second-round pick Gallagher

KANSAS CITY -- Catcher Cameron Gallagher, the Royals' second-round pick in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft in June, has signed a contract, the club announced on Monday.

Gallagher, 18, is from Manheim Township High School in Lancaster, Pa., where as a senior he batted .434 (23-for-53) with four home runs, 19 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. A right-handed hitter, he also played in the Aflac All-American Baseball Classic after his junior year.

"He's a very tough, physical kid and he addresses a need that we currently have at a defensive position," said J.J. Picollo, the Royals' assistant general manager for scouting and player development. "We think he's going to be a plus defender behind the plate and he's got upside with the bat. He's strong, he's got power and he can use it to right-center field as well. He's a pretty advanced hitter for his age."

Royals make it official Cam Gallagher is in the fold

The Royals announced today that Cam Gallagher has been signed and will report to Surprise, AZ.

Gallagher is already a big bodied kid at 6’3 210 lbs that scouts have told Greg Schaum comps in the future to Mike Napoli of the Texas Rangers.

Greg’s good friend Todd Gold of Perfect Game said “Cam has a powerful bat from right side with potential to have 20-25 HR power in the majors.” While Cam played some third base in high school his body and strong arm is better suited to play catcher in the minors. When asked if he could potentially move to a corner outfield spot in the future Todd told Greg “his body and speed probably profile at first base if he can’t continue to catch in the future and a Mike Napoli profile seems accurate.”

[SubGod22]

As expected...Starling talks may go down to the wire

The anticipated bonus figures for Starling's signing range from about $7 million to $10 million.

Last weekend, the University of Nebraska, which has Starling on a football scholarship, acknowledged that the quarterback was not practicing with the Cornhuskers.

"I think he can practice, but somebody has chosen not to practice at this time, whether it's the University of Nebraska or the player," Moore said. "I'm not a hundred percent sure who made that decision. If he was practicing and in full contact, it would cloud the picture a little bit. So I think, until a decision is made, it's the responsible thing to do for everybody."

Teams have until 12:01 a.m. ET on Tuesday, Aug. 16, to come to terms with their draftees, meaning official notification has to be in the Commissioner's Office when the clock strikes midnight. A team that does not sign its first- or second-round pick will receive a compensatory pick in the 2012 Draft. That selection will come at the same slot, plus one. In other words, if a team doesn't sign the No. 9 overall pick, it would receive the No. 10 pick -- technically 9A -- the following year. A team does not receive a 2012 pick if it does not come to terms with a selection made with a compensation pick this year.

[SubGod22]

The Royals have also not yet signed William Brickhouse (3), Kyle Smith (4), Patrick Leonard (5), Evan Beal (8), Adam Schemenauer (12), Jack Lopez (16), Matthew Flemer (19). The rest of the top 25 have signed.

26-33 are unsigned. Also, 37, 39, 40, 42, 44, 47, 48 and 50.

[ShockTalk]

The Royals have also not yet signed William Brickhouse (3), Kyle Smith (4), Patrick Leonard (5), Evan Beal (8), Adam Schemenauer (12), Jack Lopez (16), Matthew Flemer (19). The rest of the top 25 have signed.

26-33 are unsigned. Also, 37, 39, 40, 42, 44, 47, 48 and 50.

Anyone have an idea what is considered "normal" for a number that would be signed in the 50, top 25, and top 10? I realize that a good number might sign before the deadline, but half of your top 10 would seem high.

[SubGod22]

Not sure what's normal, but the Royals numbers are:
2011: 5/10, 17/25, 26/50. Incomplete and 1 in August so far.
2010: 10/10, 21/25, 37/50. Only 2 in August
2009: 9/9, 22/24, 26/49. No 2nd round pick. 1 in August, 1 in September.
2008: 10/11, 24/26, 32/51. Comp A pick added one. 3 in August, including pick 50.
2007: 9/10, 21/25, 35/50. 5 in August
2006: 10/10, 19/25, 22/50. 1 in August
2005: 10/10, 22/25, 29/50. 1 in August. 1 in September

Can't find the info on who signed and when before that.

[ShockTalk]

Not sure what's normal, but the Royals numbers are:
2011: 5/10, 17/25, 26/50. Incomplete and 1 in August so far.
2010: 10/10, 21/25, 37/50. Only 2 in August
2009: 9/9, 22/24, 26/49. No 2nd round pick. 1 in August, 1 in September.
2008: 10/11, 24/26, 32/51. Comp A pick added one. 3 in August, including pick 50.
2007: 9/10, 21/25, 35/50. 5 in August
2006: 10/10, 19/25, 22/50. 1 in August
2005: 10/10, 22/25, 29/50. 1 in August. 1 in September

Can't find the info on who signed and when before that.

Thanks, Sub. It looks like KC will need an unusually good August, like '07, to get their regular/normal number of Top 10/25 signed.

[SubGod22]

I've heard that a couple of the Top 10 guys are expected to go to school. Don't remember if it's 2 or 3 and which ones they are. Not sure about the rest. My guess is they might end up with 7/10, 20/25, 33/50. Give or take a signing or two. I haven't heard much rumblings about anyone but Starling lately so it's hard to guess. It may end up being 6/10, 18/25, 27/50 for all I know. I do expect Bubba to sign.

[SubGod22]

I haven't heard that they signed him yet, but here's what I have from PTP. 9 innings with Royals 2011 5th round pick Patrick Leonard. Reading it made it sound like he's signed. At least to me.

[SubGod22]

Apparently Leonard hasn't yet signed. More on Bubba...

KANSAS CITY -- Any Royals fans anxious to see top Draft pick Bubba Starling signed needn't hold their breath.

Royals general manager Dayton Moore expects the negotiations with the fifth overall pick in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft to go right up to the deadline.

"There's nothing -- there won't be anything until the final hour of August 15," Moore said in a phone interview Thursday

Anyone looking for indications as to how the Starling negotiations might play out can look at two current Royals, rookies Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas.

Moustakas was the Royals' first-round pick in 2007, drafted second overall. Hosmer was taken third overall by Kansas City in 2008. Both are Boras clients. And both agreed to sign with the Royals about 10 minutes before the deadline.

Hosmer signed for a $6 million bonus. Moustakas got a $4 million bonus. Starling is expected to be offered between $7 million to $10 million, which would break the record held by Hosmer for largest signing bonus given to a Royals Draft pick.

Gallagher reportedly signed for $750,000, and none of the three of Brickhouse, Smith or Leonard have the two-sport leverage Starling does. There are no indications from any of the three that they will not sign with the Royals, either.

Monday should be a busy day for Moore, because, as he likes to say, he doesn't draft anyone he doesn't think he can sign.

I was thinking one of the top 5's were said to likely be attending school, but this article seems to indicate that such a thing has not been decided. I believe the 8th pick is said to be a very hard sign and will probably go to college. Maybe we'll sign a few more than origionally expected. At least by me.

[SubGod22]

Royals 16th round pick Jack Lopez

“I’m committed to Miami 100 percent and they’re going to have to buy me out,” said Lopez, who has until August 15 to sign with the Royals.

That is what Jack Lopez, the slick fielding Floridian SS told Inside the U in June. Well, today is the day we find out if the Royals did indeed buy him out. They will be working with former major league pitcher Ramon Martinez who is his advisor.

Why are we even talking about a 16th round pick? Well, because this is a kid that should have gone much higher (ranked as high as a 4th round talent by some) as a solid tool shortstop from a great baseball state that was recently named the MVP of the Connie Mack World Series.

Lopez is 5’11, 165-pound slick-fielding SS that hit .462 with 10 home runs and 34 RBIs during his senior year. His team finished in 2nd in the state of Florida. Baseball is in his blood as his dad Juan is a former minor leaguer and current bullpen coach for the Cincinnati Reds.

Royals sign 29th Round Pick Jake Junis for $675K

It came out today that the Royals have signed Jake Junis for $675,000.

Junis home state of Illinois isn’t known for producing baseball products but his high school program has quietly done quite well as of late at producing Division I and pro prospect pitchers. Junis joined Seth Blair (Arizona State), Jarred Hippen (Iowa) and Taylor Eikenberry (Baylor/NC State) as Rock Hills pitchers who got offered college scholarships to division I schools. Instead Junis has decided to join fellow alum Blair (2010 1st round pick) in signing a pro contract.

Junis at 6’3 190 lbs is a good athlete averaging more than 19 points and 6 rebounds this last season for his high school basketball team while being named captain of the All-Western Illinois State first team. Junis though has chose to concentrate on baseball where his low 90s fastball, curve that flashes plus and feel for a changeup had him spotted as a Top 10 round talent by Baseball America. A report recently even state that the Twins were looking at him in the second round but couldn’t come to terms as Junis $800K asking price was more than the Twins were willing to spend.

Sounds like the Royals may have gotten a steal if he was really projected that high. Hopefully we'll have a few more articles like this pop up very soon as the deadline is 11pm tonight.

[SubGod22]

Just noticed this one on the message board over there...Royals sign 4th round pick Kyle Smith

The Royals and MLB announced the signing of Kyle Smith the Royals 4th round pick from Santaluce High School in Florida.
Kyle was selected the Big School 4A-6A Player of the Year in Palm Beach County after going 9-1 with a 0.40 ERA leading his team to a semifinal playoff run. Smith struckout 116 in 69 innings while walking just 14 on the season despite playing in one of the toughest districts in all of Florida.
According to Smith's high school coach Nick Franco the righthanders curveball is pro ready with late break that along with his low 90's fastball was too much even for the many Division I hitters in the district. And while most high school pitchers don't need to use their changeup Kyle worked on his extensively this year using it 12-15 times per game…

[SubGod22]

Also, Patrick Leonard (5) and the 30th pick signed today. They ran thru it on pregame so I don't have numbers right now.

[SubGod22]

Royals sign 3rd Round pick Bryan Brickhouse

MLB has announced the signing of 3rd round pick Bryan Brickhouse from The Woodlands HS in Texas. Brickhouse who many considered to be a difficult sign decidedto start his pro career as opposed to signing with college powerhouse North Carolina who he had a commitment with.

Background – Texas knows their pitching prospects and The Woodlands, Bryan’s high school has put out a couple highly touted righthand pitchers recently in Jameson Taillon (2010 2nd overall pick) and Kyle Drabek the Blue Jays top pitching prospect.

The Now- Bryan signed for $1.5 million which is comparable to what the Dodgers gave their 16th overall pick Chris Reed.

Scouting Report – Brickhouse runs his fastball up there in the low to mid 90s range touching 95 but as a young pitcher can struggle with maintaining the control and repeating his delivery. He also throws a spike curveball that when he doesn’t get on top of it looks more like a slider at times. Bryan is still learning how to throw his changeup. At 6’3

Future: While it is way too early to tell many believe his ceiling is that of a #3 starter.