Kansas City Royals select 2 high school grads, one collegian on day 1 of 2023 MLB Draft

The Kansas City Royals added high-upside young catcher Blake Mitchell with the eighth overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft on Sunday evening.

Mitchell, from Sinton High School in Texas, was rated among the top catchers available in this year’s draft. He’d previously committed to LSU.

This season, Mitchell hit .474 with 14 doubles, six home runs and 41 RBIs. He also drew 51 walks, stole 35 bases and struck out eight times.

“I’ve done this job 27 years, and you know I understand the stigma attached to high school catchers,” Royals scouting director Danny Ontiveros said. “But I I haven’t really seen a catcher like this.

“You talk about just all facets of this game. I mean, he’s intelligent. He’s got makeup. He’s tough. He’s built right. It’s a double-plus arm. He can hit. He can hit for power. He runs. He just did everything.”

Mitchell is a two-time Gatorade Texas Player of the Year. He is familiar with Kauffman Stadium, too, as he participated in the 2022 Under Armour All-America Game there. Mitchell took home MVP honors after driving in five runs during that game.

Ontiveros compared Mitchell’s makeup to that of major-league star Bryce Harper. He said Mitchell has similar intangibles that made him stand out to the organization.

“So for me it was tough to pass up, and I thought he was the best player in the board, and I feel really good about that pick,” Ontiveros said.

The Royals are getting a talented hitting prospect with their first pick of this week’s three-day major-league draft. Mitchell bats left and throws right. He also has a consistent approach at the plate.

Mitchell is projected to hit for average and provide power to all fields as he grows and develops in KC’s minor-league system.

“Not a surprise at all,” LSU head coach Jay Johnson said on the MLB Network draft telecast. “This is elite hitting ability. Power to all fields. He gets in a squat better than any catcher I’ve ever seen.”

Johnson, who recruited Mitchell to LSU, also mentioned that he could pitch as a closer. Mitchell can touch 97 mph with his fastball and has a solid curveball and changeup.

“I would say if he played another position, he would’ve sat very, very high on our board,” Royals general manager J.J. Picollo said.

Mitchell will join catcher Carter Jensen in the Royals’ farm system as the next wave of Kansas City backstops. He joins Frank Mozzicato as the second high school player selected by the Royals in the first round over the last three drafts.

Ontiveros said the Royals are keen on signing Mitchell long-term. He said the team had scouted Mitchell since last year.

‘We’re we’re comfortable that we’ll have him done, and I don’t want to go too much into that,” Ontiveros said. “But we feel like we’re in a good spot with everything.”

Royals take RHP Blake Wolters in second round

The Royals selected high school pitcher Blake Wolters with the No. 44 overall pick.

Wolters was a multi-sport star who also played basketball. He decided to drop basketball and focus on baseball during his senior year.

The gamble paid off. He improved his fastball command and can now touch 98 mph on the radar. He also has a slider and a changeup that needs development.

“He’s got a slider and he kind of manipulates a curveball,” Ontiveros said. “But the spin is off the chart. He’s got feel for a changeup. (He’s) another one where we’re just trying to get these physical athletes.”

The Gatorade Illinois Player of the Year is slated to join a young stable of KC pitching prospects that includes Mozzicato and Ben Kudrna.

Ontiveros compared Wolters to former MLB pitcher Matt Cain. He said Wolters’ physical tools and athleticism are traits the Royals were eager to add.

“He’s got potential to be a front-of-the-rotation starter,” Ontiveros said.

Royals select Carson Roccaforte in Competitive Balance Round B

The Royals reached into the collegiate ranks with their No. 66 overall pick.

KC selected Carson Roccaforte from Louisiana-Lafayette and will incorporate him alongside outfield prospects Gavin Cross and Tyler Gentry among others.

Roccaforte offers intriguing power and speed. He was one of three NCAA Division I players to reach at least 15 home runs and 25 stolen bases in 2022.

This season, Roccaforte regressed a bit. He hit .318 with eight home runs and 55 RBIs. He also added 22 steals and drew 36 walks.

The Royals believe Roccaforte can stick in center field. Ontiveros said Roccaforte shares similarities with former big-league standouts Jim Edmonds and JD Drew — specifically, his fluidity in the outfield.

“Edmonds was a really good outfielder,” Ontiveros said. “He looked real fluid and took great routes and great breaks. We feel (Roccaforte) does that.

The MLB draft continues through Tuesday. More Royals selections are coming.

“We’re off to a pretty good start when we think about our identity and what we want to stick to, and that’s really staying up the middle,” Picollo said.