The Kansas City Royals concluded the 2023 First-Year Player Draft on Tuesday, adding 10 players to their organization. Over the course of three days, they selected a total of 21 players. The draft yielded 11 pitchers, four outfielders, three infielders, two catchers, and one two-way player. Out of the 21 picks, 15 were from college and six were high school players.
In the 11th round (319th overall), the Royals selected left-handed hitting outfielder Jared Dickey from the University of Tennessee. Dickey had an impressive collegiate career, hitting .343 with 12 home runs and 52 RBI in his junior season, earning All-SEC Second Team honors.
With their 12th-round pick (349th overall), the Royals chose right-handed pitcher Logan Martin from the University of Kentucky. Martin recorded 30 strikeouts in 26.1 innings during his sole season with Kentucky after spending three years at Sewanee University, where he was named SAA Pitcher of the Year in 2022.
In the 13th round (379th overall), Kansas City selected right-handed pitcher Ethan Bosacker from Xavier. Bosacker posted an 8-3 record with a 3.49 ERA and 101 strikeouts in 16 starts this season after missing 2022 due to injury.
The Royals picked left-handed pitcher Mason Miller from Florida Gulf Coast University in the 14th round (409th overall). Miller went 2-0 in seven starts during his junior season and had an impressive outing with 5.0 no-hit innings and 11 strikeouts against UMass Lowell.
In the 15th round (439th overall), the Royals selected right-handed pitcher Chase Isbell from Auburn. Isbell had a successful season with a 3-1 record, two saves, and 42 strikeouts in 33.1 innings of work. He previously played for Samford and was teammates with Mason Barnett, the Royals’ 2022 3rd-round pick.
The Royals picked right-handed pitcher Josh Hansell from Arizona State in the 16th round (469th overall). Hansell spent the last two seasons with Arizona State after starting his collegiate career at Wichita State. His father, Greg Hansell, played professional baseball for 16 seasons, including four years in the Major Leagues.
In the 17th round (499th overall), Kansas City selected left-handed pitcher Connor Oliver from Miami (Ohio). Oliver played for multiple schools throughout his collegiate career and had an impressive senior season with a 3.89 ERA and 102 strikeouts in 78.2 innings.
The Royals chose catcher Stone Russell from IMG Academy (Fla.) in the 18th round (529th overall). Russell had a standout senior season, hitting .436 with 35 RBI in 25 games. His father, John Russell, played in the Major Leagues and is currently the Manager of the Triple-A Tacoma Rainers.
In the 19th round (559th overall), the Royals selected outfielder Donovan LaSalle from Barbe High School (La.). LaSalle had an exceptional senior season, hitting .510 with 10 home runs and 43 RBI. He led his team to a 39-1 record and hit a go-ahead grand slam in the state championship game. LaSalle is committed to Oklahoma State.
With their final pick in the 20th round (589th overall), the Royals chose shortstop Blake Wilson from Santa Margarita Catholic High School (Calif.). Wilson hit .333 in his senior season and helped his school win its first league title since 2004. He is committed to playing baseball at the University of Washington.
