Ashe Russell among those assigned to Royals instructional league

The Royals announced their rosters for the Arizona instructional league, and among the players assigned is 2015 first-round pick Ashe Russell. Russell, a right-handed pitcher selected 21st overall last June out of high school, had mixed results in his first professional season with a 4.21 ERA in 36.1 innings for Rookie League Burlington, with 24 strikeouts and 13 walks.

Joining Russell will be 2015 sandwich round pick Nolan Watson, who was also his teammate in Burlington. Other 2015 draft picks include pitchers Garrett Davila, Andre Davis, Alex Luna, infielder Travis Maezes, and outfielders Roman Collins and Cody Jones. Other top prospects like catcher Chase Vallot, shortstop Martin Gasparini, infielder D.J. Burt, and outfielder Amalani Fukofuka will also join the squad.

The Royals will also field an advanced instructional league team which will include 2015 second-round pick Josh Staumont. The right-handed Staumont had a terrific year for Idaho Falls with a 3.16 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 31.1 innings. Staumont is joined by fellow 2015 draftee outfielder Anderson Miller as well as more advanced Royals farmhands like pitcher Erik Skoglund, catchers Cam Gallagher and Xavier Fernandez, first baseman Ryan O'Hearn, shortstop Orlando Calixte, third baseman Hunter Dozier, and outfielders Elier Hernandez and Jorge Bonifacio.

The Arizona Instructional League is not to be confused with the Arizona Fall League, which is typically for advanced minor leaguers. The Arizona Instructional League runs from the last week of September until mid-October.