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Best draft picks in Kansas City Royals history
Stacker compiled a list of the best draft picks in Kansas City Royals history using data from Baseball Reference. MLB players drafted by each team were ranked using career wins above replacement, which measures a player’s value by estimating how many more wins they are worth than a replacement-level player at their position. Draft picks who were not ultimately signed by their selecting team were not considered. Players who were traded as draft picks were credited to their acquiring team. Career stats and information were provided as supplemental information.
– Draft: 269th overall pick in 2010
– Position: Right fielder
– Career stats: 92 home runs, .281 batting average, .744 on-base plus slugging
– Wins above replacement: 18.1
– Draft: 3rd overall pick in 2008
– Position: First baseman
– Career stats: 198 home runs, .276 batting average, .762 on-base plus slugging
– Wins above replacement: 18.5
– Draft: 171st overall pick in 1980
– Career stats: 77 home runs, .283 batting average, .750 on-base plus slugging
– Wins above replacement: 19.4
– Draft: 1226th overall pick in 1987
– Position: Third baseman
– Career stats: 214 home runs, .285 batting average, .790 on-base plus slugging
– Wins above replacement: 19.5
– Draft: 96th overall pick in 2007
– Career stats: 68 wins, 3.95 earned run average, 1.32 walks plus hits per inning
– Wins above replacement: 20.2
– Draft: 288th overall pick in 1991
– Position: Third baseman
– Career stats: 123 home runs, .284 batting average, .765 on-base plus slugging
– Wins above replacement: 21.4
– Draft: 57th overall pick in 1973
– Career stats: 147 home runs, .250 batting average, .746 on-base plus slugging
– Wins above replacement: 22.6
– Draft: 575th overall pick in 1968
– Career stats: 166 wins, 3.81 earned run average, 1.34 walks plus hits per inning
– Wins above replacement: 22.9
– Draft: 104th overall pick in 2000
– Career stats: 99 home runs, .275 batting average, .761 on-base plus slugging
– Wins above replacement: 23.4
– Draft: 44th overall pick in 1992
– Career stats: 131 wins, 4.27 earned run average, 1.28 walks plus hits per inning
– Wins above replacement: 24.2
– Draft: 262nd overall pick in 1991
– Career stats: 215 home runs, .297 batting average, .851 on-base plus slugging
– Wins above replacement: 24.8
– Draft: 42nd overall pick in 1972
– Career stats: 144 wins, 3.7 earned run average, 1.26 walks plus hits per inning
– Wins above replacement: 25.7
– Draft: 283rd overall pick in 1983
– Position: Third baseman
– Career stats: 74 home runs, .295 batting average, .780 on-base plus slugging
– Wins above replacement: 28.8
– Draft: 271st overall pick in 1999
– Career stats: 105 home runs, .263 batting average, .711 on-base plus slugging
– Wins above replacement: 33.5
– Draft: 2nd overall pick in 2005
– Position: Third baseman
– Career stats: 190 home runs, .257 batting average, .749 on-base plus slugging
– Wins above replacement: 34.4
– Draft: 157th overall pick in 1986
– Career stats: 138 wins, 3.96 earned run average, 1.36 walks plus hits per inning
– Wins above replacement: 35.0
– Draft: 34th overall pick in 1981
– Career stats: 132 wins, 3.96 earned run average, 1.36 walks plus hits per inning
– Wins above replacement: 37.4
– Draft: 18th overall pick in 1974
– Career stats: 41 home runs, .286 batting average, .702 on-base plus slugging
– Wins above replacement: 46.2
– Draft: 9th overall pick in 1987
– Career stats: 169 wins, 3.74 earned run average, 1.29 walks plus hits per inning
– Wins above replacement: 54.5
– Draft: 35th overall pick in 1992
– Career stats: 235 home runs, .284 batting average, .785 on-base plus slugging
– Wins above replacement: 56.3
– Draft: 480th overall pick in 1982
– Career stats: 0 home runs, .121 batting average, .319 on-base plus slugging
– Wins above replacement: 58.9
– Draft: 74th overall pick in 1981
– Career stats: 194 wins, 3.46 earned run average, 1.26 walks plus hits per inning
– Wins above replacement: 62.3
– Draft: 49th overall pick in 1995
– Career stats: 435 home runs, .279 batting average, .837 on-base plus slugging
– Wins above replacement: 70.1
– Draft: 6th overall pick in 2002
– Career stats: 225 wins, 3.49 earned run average, 1.17 walks plus hits per inning
– Wins above replacement: 77.5
– Draft: 29th overall pick in 1971
– Career stats: 317 home runs, .305 batting average, .857 on-base plus slugging
– Wins above replacement: 88.6