The Royals system is so bad it's not the time to go HR or K, they just need some solid ****ing base hits.

That coaching up thing…. well yeah.. anyway. Hope he can develop on his own time.

From RoyalsReview:


There hasn't been a 1st-round HS catcher taken since 2001 that has a) remained in the position and b) accrued at least 10 WAR.

The Royals think they are smart enough to overcome that trend.

They don't have this dude's arm. They just don't. I'd have to go look but I'm pretty sure Naylor was considered a bat-first catcher too. Not that we're sure he's even staying at catcher but Mitchell has a 70-grade arm and can throw it almost 100 mph.

They're definitely taking a huge risk here, I agree, but at least they did it with a guy that has elite tools. Amazing arm, really good lefty power and appears to have good plate discipline too. If the Rays did this everybody would be saying how smart they are.

So if you think he's a catcher...does this mean they just gave up on Carter Jensen who was one of those finds from going underslot on Mozzicato?

Yes because they could give him 5 years. Mitchell is a DH with no athletic ability. He is nothing more than a system filler.

They don't think he's a catcher. They know he is a DH. BTW this is the pick that will get all of these guys fired.

I don't think teams should ever rule out any type of player (HS pitcher, HS catcher).

His howitzer of an arm is a bigger deal because of the 2023 rules and a potential automated strike zone in the coming years. But there's much more to catching than that. It's a tough position for obvious reasons. Even the high-performing Triple-A catchers bust at probably a 50/50 rate in the majors.

All that being said, the success of this pick is going to come down to whether Mitchell can hit or not, like any other pick.

And even with the polished college position players, we often don't find out if they can hit against pro pitching with the wood bat until they start accruing at-bats in rookie and low Single-A ball.

Also this is the 3rd high picks prep catcher taken recently by the Royals.

Melendez
Jensen
Mitchell

Melendez was a glove first prep catcher that scouts said could defensively play in the majors right away..yet today's he's an OFer because the Royals think he's awful behind the plate..

This is the team we trust to develop Mitchell...

I have more faith in him developing a bad case of jock itch than this clown franchise developing him

If everything goes perfectly he's Kyle Schwarber.

LMAO

Manfred looked like he was about to blow his top announcing that Astros pick trying to yell over the boos.

I just realized something...

You don't draft Blake Mitchell unless you think you have 100% job security..so even with this terrible MLB team...awful minor leagues..Piccolo and crew feel no heat or pressure.

That's sad and frankly ridiculous, they're on pace to be one of the 5 worst teams ever.

Schwarber has 4 seasons in home runs that would be top 12 in Royals history....

Wow Seattle just shit all over the Royals with those last 2 picks...

This is why this strategy is risky.