Royals view 14th-round pick as a starter

KANSAS CITY -- Chase Darhower had a tumultuous collegiate career. He started at the University of Central Florida as a shortstop, but played only seven games. After five games with Northwest Florida State College as a pitcher, he almost left the sport all together.

"I kind of walked away from baseball for a while, but I decided I'm not going to quit," Darhower said. "I started working out by myself."

Darhower said he was actually filling in for a pitcher at Chipola College when the Royals first noticed him. They liked what the saw, selecting the 20-year-old in the 14th round of the First-Year Player Draft on Saturday (414th overall).

"Honestly, I haven't pitched a lot," Darhower said. "I've been a position player, a shortstop or third baseman my whole life, but from what they've talked to me about, they said I could be a right-handed pitcher, a starter type."

Darhower said he plans to sign with the Royals this week.