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Grade the Royals 2008 Amateur Draft

Round 

Player 

School 

Bonus

1

Eric Hosmer, 1B

American Heritage HS, Plantation , Fla.

$6,000,000

1s

Mike Montgomery, LHP

Hart HS, Newhall , Calif.

  $988,000

2

Johnny Giovatella, 2B

New Orleans

  $787,000

3

Tyler Sample, RHP

Mullen HS, Denver

$500,000

4

Tim Melville, RHP

Holt HS, Wentzville , Mo.

$1,250,000

5

John Lamb, LHP

Laguna Hills ( Calif. ) HS

$165,000

6

Alex Llanos, CF

Puerto Rico Baseball Academy, Gurabo, P.R.

  $125,000

7

Jason Esposito, 3B

Amity Regional HS, Woodbridge , Conn.

 

8

Malcolm Culver, RHP

Palmdale ( Calif. ) HS

  $125,000

9

J.D. Alfaro, SS

Grayson County ( Texas ) JC

  $75,000

10

Mauricio Matos, C

Clinton HS, Bronx , N.Y.

  $150,000

11

Malcolm Bronson, OF

Jasper ( Texas ) HS

 

12

Keven Caldwell, OF

Spartanburg Methodist (S.C.) JC

  $65,000

13

John Flanagan, LHP

Southwestern Illinois JC

  $85,000

14

Chase Hentges, RHP

Shakopee ( Minn. ) HS

 

15

Alberto Espinosa, 1B

Broward ( Fla. ) CC

 

16

Derrick Saito, LHP

Cal Poly

$100,000

17

Jacob Kuebler, 3B

Lincoln ( Neb. ) Southeast HS

  $150,000

18

Carlo Testa, OF

Belmont

 

19

Miguel Moctezuma, C

Central Oklahoma

 

20

Shawn Griffin, OF

Tennessee

 

21

Jacob Theis, RHP

Mountlake Terrace ( Wash. ) HS

 

22

Blaine Hardy, LHP

Lewis-Clark State ( Idaho ) College

 

23

Dale De Schepper, RHP

Mount San Jacinto ( Calif. ) JC

 

24

Jason Morales, 3B

UNC Pembroke

 

25

Carson Bryant, RHP

Azusa Pacific ( Calif. )

 

26

Ryan Morgan, RHP

Rockhurst ( Mo. )

 

27

Timothy Huber, LHP

Nebraska-Omaha

 

28

Gregory Billo, RHP

Sandburg HS, Orland Park , Ill.

5th Round $$$

29

Beau Brett, 1B

Ferris HS, Spokane , Wash.

 

30

Dieterick Dodridge, LHP

Ogemaw Heights HS, West Branch, Mich.

 

31

Ryan Curl, OF

St. Francis Desales HS, Columbus , Ohio

 

32

Rey Cotilla, RHP

Miami-Dade CC

 

33

Eric Swegman, RHP

Young Harris ( Ga. ) JC

 

34

Brett Richardson, RHP

Wenatchee Valley ( Wash. ) CC

 

35

Chris Balcom-Miller, RHP

West Valley ( Calif. ) JC

 

36

Nick Purdy, RHP

St.Mary's SS, Grafton, Ont.

 

37

Bradin Hagens, RHP

Merced ( Calif. ) JC

 

38

Jason Thompson, RHP

Columbus State ( Ga. )

 

39

Ryan Modglin, RHP

Scott City ( Mo. ) HS

 

40

Pernell Halliman, RHP

Jackson State

 

41

Doug Joyce, C

Stanwood ( Wash. ) HS

 

42

Marc Oslund, RHP

West HS, Torrance , Calif.

 

43

Cory Kiefer, RHP

Valley View HS, Moreno Valley , Calif.

 

44

Patrick Johnson, OF

Colony HS, Ontario , Calif.

 

45

Raymond Anderson, OF

Lassiter HS, Marietta , Ga.

 

46

William Beckwith, 1B

West Lowndes HS, Columbus, Miss.

 

47

Stephen Gilgenbach, LHP

Arkansas-Little Rock

 

48

Terrence Buchanan, SS

Mount Carmel HS, San Diego

 

49

Alan Salgado, 3B

San Ysidro HS, San Diego

 

50

Travis Jones, C

Sabino HS, Tucson

Bold = signed

The Royals signed 27 of their first 29 picks, including at least seven over slot bonuses.

Poll
What grade would you give the Royals 2008 amateur draft?
A+
22 votes
A
34 votes
A-
15 votes
B+
9 votes
B
1 votes
B-
0 votes
C+
0 votes
C
0 votes
C-
0 votes
D
0 votes
F
2 votes

83 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs  |  Comment 49 comments

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Comments

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Great Draft

Essentiall got 3 first rounders(Hosmer, Melville, Montgomery) and 2 second rounders(G-Man,Sample). Nice to see this team investing in the future.

Every fight is a food fight when you’re a cannibal.
-- Demetri Martin

by kcscoliny on Aug 16, 2008 10:22 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

+1

Investing in future is risky, but still slightly wiser than investing in past

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Aug 16, 2008 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

with the usual caveat

that it will be several years before we can truly “grade” this draft, I’d give this draft an A-. I don’t blame the Royals for not being able to sign Esposito—they threw first-round money at the guy, so it wasn’t for a lack of effort. It would have been an A if they hadn’t had to sign as many players over slot, but this is a very minor complaint.

by DarthYoshi on Aug 16, 2008 10:25 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

one other note

the Royals look like they picked HS players almost exclusively in the first ten rounds (only one JC pick, and as far as I can tell, no university picks). So there is more risk with this draft as well, and these players will probably take longer to be ready. I wouldn’t lower my draft grade over that, but it is something to consider.

by DarthYoshi on Aug 16, 2008 10:29 AM EDT reply actions   1 recs

Very valid point

One small correction, Giavotella was drafted out of the University of New Orleans in the second round. But yes, outside of the first and second round talent guys (Hosmer, Melville, Montgomery, Giavotella, and Sample) this is a higher upside, higher risk draft. In my opinion that is exactly the way a small market team should draft. The only way a small market team is going to elite talent major leaguers is to draft and develop them. I’ll take the risk if it means a higher upside.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Aug 16, 2008 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

you're right on Johnny G

I completely forgot that.

I don’t know if it’ll happen, but it’d be interesting if Moustakas and Hosmer played together at all during their respective stays in the minors, to see how they’d work as a 3-4 punch in the lineup.

by DarthYoshi on Aug 16, 2008 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

To be fair, he IS really small, thus easy to miss

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Aug 16, 2008 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wasn’t Lamb supposed to be an end of the first round early second round guy BEFORE he broke his collarbone (right bone?)?

Don't forget to send your broken maples to the US Forest Service.

by 306008 on Aug 16, 2008 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not that early

But he could have gone higher if he was healthy.

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Aug 16, 2008 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

A couple drafts

like this year’s and last years draft, and we will have one of the best systems in baseball. It is a very encouraging sign after years of futility in the draft to have some positive momentum going. A great day to be a Royals fan!

by lordbyronk on Aug 16, 2008 10:38 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Our minor league system is greatly improved now as compared to what it was going into the season

The system is still light on position players, but it helps a lot to have two position players in the system who are top 50 MLB prospects. And the Royals have one of the best and deepest set of pitching prospects in baseball. It will be interesting to see how BA and BP rank the Royals system this offseason.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Aug 16, 2008 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

The key

for our minor league system to continue to improve will be for some of our middle round talent to pan out to go with our elite level prospects, if that happens our farm system will be especially deep. I do agree the lack of position players is concerning, but it may take a few years to restock the system with them, or pitching surpluses can be traded for them.

by lordbyronk on Aug 16, 2008 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

1,389 Players Were

Drafted before Mike Piazza in 1988.

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Aug 16, 2008 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

But...
the first few picks are usually going to make it (although there is significant risk, of course).

Shhhhh. Be werrrrrrrry quiet. We’re hunting superstars.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Aug 16, 2008 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

“Let me tell you something,” the grand old scout, Art Stewart, says as we walk away from the batting cage after Lubanski’s first-ever batting session at Kauffman Stadium. “You will remember this day. You will remember this day for the rest of your life.”

JoPo, 2003

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Aug 16, 2008 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

At least he still might make the majors

Unlike, say, Colt Griffin.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Aug 16, 2008 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Timothy Huber

LEGACY PICK!!!111

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Aug 16, 2008 11:26 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I think 3 funny responses is about the limit in one post

Every fight is a food fight when you’re a cannibal.
-- Demetri Martin

by kcscoliny on Aug 16, 2008 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

What about responses to responses?

Does this count? Or is it just not funny?

Hey, it’s Saturday morning and I’m avoiding chores…

You’re right, I’ll back off.

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Aug 16, 2008 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

HUBER NOW!!!

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Aug 16, 2008 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

i was just jackin with u

Every fight is a food fight when you’re a cannibal.
-- Demetri Martin

by kcscoliny on Aug 16, 2008 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

GMDM is doing it right.

GMDM has rebuilt the bottom of our farm system in just two years. And by adding an extra low A stop we’re making it tougher to advance through the system. I’ve posted several times about building a base. Now everyone is starting to see the results. Pitching first, defense second, offense third. That’s the way he is doing it.

Don't forget to send your broken maples to the US Forest Service.

by 306008 on Aug 16, 2008 12:02 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I gave this draft an A

with the caveat that it is much to early to really judge this thing. Still, with Hosmer signed and the Royals willing to pay above slot money, i believe this is exactly the type of draft the organization needed.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Aug 16, 2008 12:06 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Not sure how it could be anything other than an A

We snagged two top 15 overall draft prospects, 3 of the top 6 prep pitchers that signed, and went with high upside picks throughout the entire draft.

You know you’re an eternal pessimist if you can’t tip your cap to DM, Ladnier, and Glass after this one.

Founder of the Rowdy Hardy Fan Club

by eazyb81 on Aug 16, 2008 12:09 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Pretty much an A

My only quibble is that they went so overboard with high school pitchers with upside – I would have liked a bit more diversity in their approach. But you can’t quibble with the results too much. They netted the top high school pitcher in the draft, the top high school hitter, got a polished college second base bat in Giovatella, two of the top ten high school pitchers in Montgomery and Sample and landed some interesting high upside arms later on. The only thing keeping it from being an A+ is the failure to sign Esposito.

Today is a good day to be a Royals fan.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Aug 16, 2008 12:28 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Riddle me this

BA is fawning over the Red Sox spending over $10MM in bonus money on this year’s draft, saying it may be a first in draft history.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=463

I just calculated our known bonus payouts from the above list, and someone please double check my math, but I came up with $10,565,000; again, that’s only including the numbers listed – many bonuses have not been released, including the bonus to Travis Jones.

Why are we not getting any pub? Are we just forgotten as usual?

Founder of the Rowdy Hardy Fan Club

by eazyb81 on Aug 16, 2008 12:39 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Sawks bias

I would think BA would put us in the TOP 5 for the overall draft.

Every fight is a food fight when you’re a cannibal.
-- Demetri Martin

by kcscoliny on Aug 16, 2008 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Kila is still holding the Royals back with his less than ideal size

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Aug 16, 2008 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

He is such a huge weight

Every fight is a food fight when you’re a cannibal.
-- Demetri Martin

by kcscoliny on Aug 16, 2008 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Callis had us in his top two after the draft

assuming we signed Hosmer and Melville.

Founder of the Rowdy Hardy Fan Club

by eazyb81 on Aug 16, 2008 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I like the Royals pattern of position players in first round like Hosmer and Moustakas

then go for pitching with other top round picks. Also, I think the strategy of picking top talent like Melville and Esposito is really smart. KC got a top 15 talent in Melville in round 4. Excellent even though Esposito didn’t sign for $1.5 mil – that’s mid first round money. Hope Vanderbilt is worth it. With Meville, Montgomery and Sample, KC got 3 of top 5-10 HS pitchers. Don’t know about paying 6 figures for others like BIllo, Kuebler and Saito but in MLB, $150K isn’t much if they think the kid has potential. Lamb looks like a sleeper pick due to injury but if he recovers from his injury, another great pick.

Crazy thing about the draft is that if 3-4 players become big leaguers, it is considered a great draft. If you get one All Star and all the rest flop, it is a good/ok draft.

I’d like to see the Royals continue to sign the Latin American talent like they did last year. It provides another layer of depth in the minor league system that can’t come out of US. Example like Cegerra and Herrera are guys who came from other sources besides MLB draft.

by daveyork on Aug 17, 2008 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

The Royals deserve some publicity and credit for their over slot signings, but...

The Royals were going to spend a lot because of the huge amount they had to give up for their #1 (a lot more than the Bosox, considering their draft position). If you take out the first round money, I think the Bosox would be ahead by a lot.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Aug 16, 2008 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

They also

Offered $2 mill to Alex Meyer, who turned it down in favor of Kentucky

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Aug 16, 2008 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

he and our 7th rounders are idiots.

Don't forget to send your broken maples to the US Forest Service.

by 306008 on Aug 16, 2008 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

He is slightly smarter than Esposito

Every fight is a food fight when you’re a cannibal.
-- Demetri Martin

by kcscoliny on Aug 16, 2008 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

sooooo hot

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Aug 16, 2008 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

This was a publicity shot for the UK Hockey Club.

I have to think they made some money off it.

www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage

by James Quinn on Aug 17, 2008 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I agree

Founder of the Rowdy Hardy Fan Club

by eazyb81 on Aug 17, 2008 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's it I'm packing up and moving to Kentucky

Every fight is a food fight when you’re a cannibal.
-- Demetri Martin

by kcscoliny on Aug 17, 2008 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

yes

but other big spending first round teams have never eclipsed the $10M mark so that is nice

Every fight is a food fight when you’re a cannibal.
-- Demetri Martin

by kcscoliny on Aug 16, 2008 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's got to be an A.

Any draft where you basically end up with four first-round-level picks all signed has to be an A. We’re making a big deal about the money, but let’s be realistic: this draft cost less than a year of below-average production in left field.

Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.

by jonfmorse on Aug 16, 2008 7:59 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Stop beating my dead horse!

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Aug 16, 2008 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

MICHAEL BOLTON

Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.

by jonfmorse on Aug 16, 2008 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I celebrate his entire catalogue

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Aug 16, 2008 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

What the hell are you doing here?

Shouldn’t you be married?

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Aug 17, 2008 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

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