Royals first day draft board
Published on June 5, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
KANSAS CITY, MO (June 5, 2008) - The Kansas City Royals selected seven players on day one of the 2008 June Free Agent Draft. Eric Hosmer, a first baseman from American Heritage High School in Plantation, Fla., was Kansas City's first selection and the third overall pick. Hosmer, who bats and throws left-handed, hit .470 with 11 home runs, 27 RBI, 49 runs, and 14 stolen bases as a senior.
Hosmer participated in the Aflac All-American High School Baseball Classic in 2007 and was named the 2008 Player of the Year by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Baseball America's 2008 draft preview rated Hosmer as the high school player with the best power as well as being the prep talent that is closest to the majors.
COMP. ROUND A: Michael Montgomery was taken at #36 in the supplemental round. The pick was compensation for David Riske, a Type B free agent who signed with the Milwaukee Brewers. Montgomery, a left-handed pitcher out of Hart High School in Newhall, California, compiled a 6-1 record with a 1.36 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 51 innings this spring. Montgomery previously inked a letter of intent with Cal State Fullerton.
2ND ROUND: At pick #49, Kansas City chose second baseman Johnny Giavotella, a first-team preseason All-America selection. The University of New Orleans product batted .354 with 12 home runs, 56 RBI, and 19 stolen bases on a team that reached the NCAA Tournament. A native of Harahan, La., Giavotella was tabbed the top sophomore second baseman in the country in 2007 by Baseball America after hitting .385 with 15 home runs and 65 RBI. He ranks fourth on the UNO career charts with 32 home runs.
3RD ROUND: The Royals went with their third high school selection in the first four picks by drafting Colorado prep pitcher Tyler Sample. The 6'7" right-hander had a 4-3 mark with a 2.22 ERA and 85 strikeouts in 41 innings for Denver's J.K. Mullen High School. Sample earned All-Colorado honors from The Rocky Mountain News.
4TH ROUND: Kansas City reached out to the other side of the state and chose 2007 Aflac National High School Player of the Year recipient Tim Melville. The 6'5" right-hander from Wentzville, Mo. finished his senior campaign with an 8-1 record, a 2.56 ERA, and 89 strikeouts in 52 innings. As a junior, Melville compiled a 10-1 mark with a 0.89 ERA which helped Holt High School reach the Missouri Class 4-A finals.
5TH ROUND: John Lamb, a 6'3" left-handed hurler from Laguna Hills, Calif., was Kansas City's youngest draftee of the day. The 17-year-old led Laguna Hills to the Pacific Coast League conference championships in 2007 and 2008.
6TH ROUND: In the sixth round, the Royals selected Alex Llanos, a 6'1" shortstop from the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy and High School. This was the second straight year that the Royals completed day one with a PRBAHS alum (2007 5th-rounder Adrian Ortiz graduated from the same school in 2004.)
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