The Kansas City Royals have signed 12 draft picks from last week’s first-year draft, including first-round selection Frank Mozzicato and second-round pick Ben Kudrna.
Mozzicato was taken with the 7th overall pick, after the 18-year old, in his senior season at East Catholic High School in Connecticut, fired 30 1/3 consecutive hitless innings, including four straight no-hitters. In the 2021 Class M State Championship game, he recorded 17 strikeouts.
Mozzicato signed for $3.55 million dollars, well below pick value, but a deal that allows the franchise to set aside more money for later picks.
The second-round selection, Ben Kudrna, signed on Monday. He is a local product of the Kansas City metropolitan area, hailing from Blue Valley Southwest High School. A 6-foot-3 pitcher, Kudrna boasts a low-to-mid 90s fastball. He chose to sign with the hometown Royals instead of attending LSU, where he had been a commit. His deal with Kansas City includes a $3 million signing bonus, according to MLB.com’s Jim Callis.
The 12 most recent signings raise Kansas City’s total of signings out of 21 total picks up to 15, including fourth-rounder Shane Panzini, 7th round pitcher Noah Cameron, 8th-round pick Ryan Cepero, 9th round outfielder Shane Connolly, along with pitcher Tyson Guerrero, pitcher Patrick Halligan, southpaw Caden Monke, outfielder River Town, right-hander Anthony Simonelli, righty Harrison Beethe, shortstop Camryn Williams, and lefty Jack Aldrich.
