Draft Reviews: Kansas City Royals by Marc Hulet May 8, 2009 2008 Draft Slot: Third overall Top Pick: Eric Hosmer, 1B, Florida high school Best Pick: Eric Hosmer Keep an Eye On: Tim Melville, RHP, Missouri high school (Fourth round) Notes: Tim Melville has yet to appear in a pro game but the fourth-round pick from last year had first-round talent and teams were scared off by his murky signability. The Royals organization spent a lot of money on this draft and it could end up with a lot to show for it, as supplemental first round pick Mike Montgomery had a dazzling debut in 2008 but the team is being cautious with the prep pick and he will open 2009 in short-season ball. First baseman Eric Hosmer has had a bit of a slow start this season but he should be an absolute offensive beast. 2007 Draft Slot: Second overall Top Pick: Mike Moustakas, SS/3B, California high school Best Pick: Mike Moustakas Worst Pick: Sam Runion, RHP, North Carolina high school (Second round) Notes: Sam Runion, now in his third season, has a career 5.38 ERA, and his FIP is not much better. Fellow prep pick Dan Duffy, selected in the third round, has a chance to make up for that pick, though. Mike Moustakas looks like a solid choice with the second overall pick, although Matt Wieters (Fifth overall, Baltimore) and Madison Bumgarner (10th, San Francisco) look pretty good too, in retrospect. 2006 Draft Slot: First overall Top Pick: Luke Hochevar, RHP, Independent baseball Best Pick: Luke Hochevar Worst Pick: Jason Taylor, IF, Virginia high school (second round) Notes: Jason Taylor has been a frustrating pick. Even though he has flashed some real talent, the former second-round pick missed all of 2007 for disciplinary reasons and he has yet to appear in a game this season. Luke Hochevar has made it to the Majors, but he certainly hasn’t been the staff ace that you would be hoping for from a No. 1 overall selection. * * * 2009 Draft Slot: 12th overall Draft Preference (2006-08): Best overall player, and the club has invested heavily in prep players the last two years. MLB Club Need: Pitching, Shortstop, Third base, Catcher Organizational Need: Corner outfield, Shortstop, Left-handed pitching Organizational Strength: Right-handed pitching, Center field, First base Notes: For the first time in quite a few years, the Royals organization will not have one of the top five picks, so it will be interesting to see what approach is taken – and how good of a pick the club can make.