Royals complete first day of draft
Kansas City selects Russell, Watson, Staumont
Kansas City, MO (June 8, 2015) - The Kansas City Royals completed day one of the 2015 First-Year Rule 4 Player Draft tonight, selecting three right-handed pitchers, highlighted by the 21st overall selection, Ashe Russell. The Royals also selected Nolan Watson with the 33rd overall selection and Josh Staumont at #64 overall.
Kansas City picked Staumont, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound right-hander from Azusa Pacific University in California. The junior compiled a 6-2 mark and a 3.67 ERA over 13 games (12 starts) for the NCAA Division II Cougars, fanning 109 batters over 68.2 innings. He held opponents to a .155 average. The 21-year old is a native of La Habra, Calif.
Earlier in the evening, Kansas City selected the 18-year old Russell, a 6-foot-4, 195-pound hurler from Cathedral Catholic High School in Indianapolis with their first-round pick (21st overall). Russell was 5-1 with a 1.02 ERA and 67 strikeouts to just nine walks in 41.0 innings as a senior. The two-time Gatorade Player of the Year in Indiana has committed collegiately to Texas A&M University.
The Royals returned to the Indianapolis prep ranks with the 33rd overall pick, selecting the 18-year old Watson from Lawrence North High School. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound righty was 6-1 with a 0.68 ERA this spring, striking out 81 over 51.2 innings.
The 2015 First-year Rule 4 Player Draft continues on Tuesday with rounds three through 10 and concludes on Wednesday with rounds 11 to 40.
For more information, members of the media may contact the Royals Media Relations Department at (816) 921-8000.