Who could Royals select in 2025 MLB Draft? A look at potential 1st round options
The Kansas City Royals are set to add to their farm system this weekend. On Sunday and Monday, the Royals will welcome a new group of prospects in the 2025 MLB Draft.
KC owns five picks on Day 1 of the MLB Draft. The club will select No. 23, No. 28, No. 61, No. 71 and No. 97 during Rounds 1-3 on Sunday night. The Royals will select 17 more times during Rounds 4-20 on Monday.
The 2025 MLB Draft will be held in Atlanta. Day 1 live coverage begins at 5 p.m. Central and will be simulcast on MLB Network, MLB.com and ESPN. Day 2 will be carried by MLB.com on Monday afternoon.
“You never know how the MLB Draft goes until it starts,” Royals scouting director Brian Bridges told The Star recently.
The Royals have $12,794,700 to use as bonus pool money.
So which top prospects could appeal to the Royals? Here is a look at potential options before the Royals are on the clock.
OF Jace LaViolette | Texas A&M
It’s no secret that the Royals need to replenish their outfield prospects. This season, the club has relied on rookies Jac Caglianone and John Rave at the big-league level. KC also gave opportunities to Tyler Tolbert, Tyler Gentry and Drew Waters in recent years.
None have really separated themselves. Caglianone is expected to be a powerful cog in the Royals’ offense for years to come. However, he has undergone rookie struggles since his MLB arrival in June.
So it makes sense to add another hulking athlete to the mix.
LaViolette stands at 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds. He has power tools that are eerily similar to Caglianone. In three years, LaViolette set school records with 68 home runs and 169 walks at Texas A&M.
There are some swing-and-miss concerns. However, the raw power and defensive metrics could interest the Royals. LaViolette can play the outfield corners and has the track record to hit quality pitching as he showed in the Southeastern Conference.
3B Josh Hammond | Wesleyan Christian Academy (North Carolina)
Hammond has all the tools to be a solid MLB player. He pitched for USA Baseball’s 18U team and is established on the mound.
However, Hammond will feature as a position player at the next level. He has a smooth swing and can spray the baseball to all fields. As he continues to fill out his 6-foot-1, 210-pound frame, Hammond could add more power to his toolbox.
The Royals value players with a versatile skill set. Hammond is a projectable athlete who can slide in on the right side of the infield. He hit .471 with six home runs, 28 RBIs and 40 hits in 29 games en route to a state title this spring.
Hammond is committed to Wake Forest.
INF/OF Sean Gamble | IMG Academy (FL)
Gamble has a lot of projectable skills. The Royals could be enamored with his left-handed versatility, which has been a key attribute for the organization.
Royals manager Matt Quatraro likes to play matchups against opposing teams. Gamble is an intriguing option because he can develop into a smooth-swinging left-handed infielder.
It doesn’t hurt that he is also a Des Moines, Iowa native. He is a Midwest kid who has drawn comparisons to Philadelphia Phillies star Bryson Stott.
Gamble hit .413 with 31 hits, four home runs and 30 RBIs. He posted an .840 slugging percentage while displaying versatility at multiple outfield positions.
Gamble is committed to Vanderbilt.
RHP Riley Quick | Alabama
There is a chance Quick could be in play on Day 1 for the Royals. He projects anywhere from the late first round to the middle of the second.
The Royals could decide to go under slot with one of their early picks. This will give the club more flexibility to take a chance on a top high-school prospect. It might be a plausible option given the state of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) in college sports.
Quick thrived for the Crimson Tide. He was a second-team All-SEC selection and anchored the Alabama rotation with a 3.92 ERA in 62 innings pitched.
There are repeatable skills as well. Quick stands at 6-foot-6 and 255 pounds while displaying a dynamic sinker, slider and changeup mix. The heavy sinker can reach upward of 95 mph and his slider can roll off the table with depth.
Quick had Tommy John surgery in his collegiate career. He rebounded well but needs to work on his command to become more polished.
LHP Jack Bauer | Lincoln-Way East HS (Frankfort, Illinois)
There aren’t many players that generate national buzz in high school.
Bauer is one of the exceptions. He touched 103 mph in a high school playoff game and routinely sits around the upper-90s with his heater.
The Royals found success drafting another high-school lefty in David Shields last season. He has lived up to hype with a 3.10 ERA in 11 starts playing in Single-A Columbia.
Bauer could take a similar track. He offers a developing slider and changeup. However, it’s the fastball that is the true play here. And the Royals could always use another high-velocity, left-handed pitcher.
Bauer is committed to Mississippi State.
LHP Kruz Schoolcraft | Sunset HS (Sunset, Oregon)
Schoolcraft is another lefty starter who is linked to the Royals. He was the 2025 Gatorade Player of the Year in Oregon and he brings a unique pitching arsenal.
At 6-foot-7, Schoolcraft is another power arm who defines this 2025 MLB Draft class. He produced a 0.52 ERA with 82 strikeouts in 40 innings. Additionally, he registered two strikeouts per inning and was solid at the plate with 10 homers and 30 RBIs.
Schoolcraft is gaining serious consideration as a first-round prospect. He could have a decision to make as he is currently committed to Tennessee.
Other players to know
SS Daniel Pierce | Mill Creek HS (Hoschton, Georgia)
SS Tate Southisene | Basic HS (Henderson, Nevada)
C Caden Bodine | Coastal Carolina
OF Brendan Summerhill | Arizona
This story was originally published July 12, 2025 at 4:16 PM with the headline "Who could Royals select in 2025 MLB Draft? A look at potential 1st round options."
