Who the KC Royals selected with their 1st pick in the 2025 MLB Draft — and why
The Kansas City Royals selected outfielder Sean Gamble with the 23rd overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft.
Gamble starred at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. However, he has Midwestern roots — as a Des Moines, Iowa native — and a lot of projectable skills.
The Royals value left-handed hitters who can make solid contact. Gamble is one of the pure high-school hitters in the MLB Draft class and offers above-average skills on the basepaths.
Scouts have compared Gamble to Philadelphia Phillies standout Bryson Stott. The Royals are hopeful Gamble can continue to add to his 6-foot-1 frame. This season, Gamble hit .413 with four home runs and 30 RBIs. He is also versatile enough to play all three outfield positions.
“We look at him to be a top-of-the-order leadoff guy that can really run,” Royals scouting director Brian Bridges said. “He is a 70-run (grade). So, real excited, and (he’s) a former hockey player. He played hockey all the way up to the eighth grade and decided he wanted to play baseball.”
Gamble is committed to Vanderbilt. However, he has the talent to jump into the Royals’ farm system and develop through the ranks.
And he knows a thing or two about the Royals.
“Parents moved him to IMG from Des Moines there,” Bridges said. “But he has always been coming down here as a kid and watching the Royals play. So he is pretty excited today.”
The Royals drafted Gamble as an outfielder. He has the skill set to move around after needing to play the infield at IMG during his prep career. The club doesn’t view the positional change as something he can’t handle.
“He does it pretty easy,” Bridges said. “He would power shag at IMG, so they had to have him on the infield. But it’s not going to be an issue for him at all. He can really run.”
The Royals value left-handed hitters. Gamble has the ability to surge through the minor-league system after playing against quality competition in the high school ranks. Bridges loved his infield range, and other scouts raved about his versatility in center field.
Royals general manager J.J. Picollo doesn’t have any concerns about Gamble’s signability. He looks forward to welcoming him to the organization in the near future.
“I think it’s fair to say that left-handed is preferred because you’re always on the strong side of the platoon,” Picollo said. “I think in a situation like this, we are going to take the best player available right-handed or left-handed. I think it’s nice that he is left-handed as you look at that swing and look at the explosiveness in his hips and the way the ball comes off his bat.”
Bridges said he knew there was a chance to land Gamble about two picks before the Royals selected. Afterward, they utilized their remaining four picks on Day 1 to select a prep hitter and a trio of pitching prospects.
KC selected shortstop Josh Hammond at No. 28, which is the Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI) reward. The organization received the additional pick after Bobby Witt Jr. — who was originally a top 100 prospect — finished second in the American League MVP race prior to becoming arbitration eligible.
Hammond has the ability to play short and will see some time at third base. The Royals later selected RHP Michael Lombardi, LHP Justin Lamkin and RHP Cameron Millar to end the first night.
The Royals have found success with their first-round picks. Last season, Jac Caglianone was selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2024 draft. He made his MLB debut in June and is now a fixture in the lineup.
Other former first rounders include Witt, Cole Ragans (selected by the Texas Rangers), Jonathan India (Cincinnati Reds) among those on the current KC roster.
The Royals entered the MLB Draft looking to select the best players available. Scouting director Brian Bridges felt the eligible draft pool favored high school shortstops and dynamic college pitchers.
It’s possible the Royals look to restock at both positions. The club also has offensive needs and could look to find a few intriguing bats later in the draft.
On Monday afternoon, the Royals will make 17 selections during Rounds 4-20 begin at 10 a.m. Central on MLB.com.
This story was originally published July 13, 2025 at 7:22 PM with the headline "Who the KC Royals selected with their 1st pick in the 2025 MLB Draft — and why."
