MARC JACOBS
Post Sports
The Kansas City Royals emphasized athleticism and pitching depth in the opening rounds of the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft, selecting University of Louisville outfielder Zion Rose with the sixth overall pick before adding three highly regarded pitchers and another prep outfielder.
Rose, a 21-year-old junior from Louisville, was the Royals' first-round selection after an outstanding collegiate career. He earned First-Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors in 2026 after batting .417 with 13 doubles, six home runs and 47 RBIs in just 36 games. He also demonstrated exceptional plate discipline, finishing the season with more walks and hit-by-pitches than strikeouts.
During his three seasons at Louisville, Rose developed into one of the nation's top offensive players. More than one-third of his 201 career hits went for extra bases, and he combined power with speed, recording 24 career home runs and 41 stolen bases. Originally a catcher in high school, Rose transitioned to the outfield during his collegiate career.
Rose becomes the third player selected by Kansas City with the sixth overall pick, joining Jac Caglianone in 2024 and Zack Greinke in 2002. He is also the first Louisville player ever drafted by the Royals in the first round.
With the 30th overall Competitive Balance Round A selection, the Royals added University of Mississippi right-handed pitcher Taylor Rabe. The 21-year-old sophomore posted a 5-3 record with a 3.55 ERA this season while helping Ole Miss reach the College World Series. He struck out 105 batters while walking just 15, leading the Southeastern Conference with a 7-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Rabe also finished strong, posting a 1.46 ERA over his final four outings.
Kansas City used its second-round pick, 56th overall, on Illinois high school right-hander Jack Slightom. The Lyons Township High School standout compiled a 0.37 ERA with 73 strikeouts in 37 innings as a senior and was named an ABCA/Rawlings High School All-American. Slightom is committed to the University of Cincinnati and also starred as his school's quarterback, leading Lyons Township to the Illinois Class 8A football playoffs.
In the third round, the Royals selected West Virginia left-hander Maxx Yehl, one of the nation's top collegiate pitchers. Yehl went 9-3 with a 2.13 ERA in 18 starts this season, earning unanimous All-America honors and Big 12 Pitcher of the Year recognition. The 22-year-old struck out 112 batters in 97 innings after returning from Tommy John surgery that sidelined him during the 2025 season.
Kansas City rounded out its first four selections by drafting Oswego East High School outfielder Dominic Battista with the 119th overall pick in the fourth round. The Illinois prep standout is known for his strong throwing arm, measured at 94 mph from the outfield, and his power at the plate, with exit velocities exceeding 105 mph. Battista is committed to the University of Illinois Chicago.