In the 2023 First-Year Player Draft, the Kansas City Royals made their selection with the 8th overall pick, choosing Blake Mitchell, a left-handed hitting catcher from Sinton High School in Texas.
Mitchell, who will turn 19 next month, has had an impressive high school career, earning the title of Gatorade Texas Player of the Year in both 2022 and 2023. This season, he displayed exceptional hitting ability with a .474 batting average (49-for-89), including 14 doubles, 6 home runs, and 41 RBI. He showcased his plate discipline by reaching base in 70% of his plate appearances and drew an impressive 51 walks while striking out only 8 times. Mitchell also demonstrated his speed on the basepaths, stealing 35 bases throughout the season.
His talents have been recognized on a national level as well. Mitchell participated in the 2022 Under Armour All-America Game held at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, where he was awarded the MVP after driving in 5 RBI. He was also a member of the USA Baseball 18U National Team that secured a gold medal at the WBSC Baseball World Cup in 2022, contributing with a win on the mound against Taiwan.
Although Mitchell is committed to playing college baseball for Louisiana State University, the 2023 Men’s College World Series champions, his selection by the Royals provides an opportunity to pursue a professional career. Mitchell possesses not only impressive athletic abilities but also academic achievements, graduating high school with a notable 4.24 GPA. Additionally, he has been actively involved in volunteering with the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
In recent years, the Royals have shown a pattern of selecting talented high school players in the first round. Mitchell joins the ranks of Frank Mozzicato, chosen in 2021, and Bobby Witt Jr., selected in 2019, as a prep player drafted by the Kansas City organization.
In the 2nd round (44th overall), the Royals selected right-handed pitcher Blake Wolters from Mahomet-Seymour High School in Illinois. Then, in Competitive Balance Round B, with the 66th overall pick, they picked left-handed hitting outfielder Carson Roccaforte from the University of Louisiana-Lafayette.
Wolters, an 18-year-old right-handed pitcher, is listed at 6-foot-4, 210 pounds. He garnered attention as the Gatorade Illinois Player of the Year in his senior season after giving up basketball to focus on baseball. Wolters recorded an impressive 0.43 ERA in 49.0 innings pitched, allowing only 13 hits and accumulating 106 strikeouts. He has committed to the University of Arizona.
Roccaforte, a 21-year-old left-handed hitting outfielder, played college baseball at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. In his junior season, he had a strong slash line of .318/.426/.538, with 35 extra-base hits and 22 stolen bases in 65 games. Roccaforte had an impressive collegiate career, hitting .325 overall, including a .392 average during regular-season play in his sophomore year. He also gained experience playing in the Cape Cod League with Bourne in 2022.
The MLB Draft will continue with rounds 3-10 on the following day, exclusively streamed on MLB.com.
