It was expected, but the Royals have officially received their Competitive Balance pick for the upcoming 2025 MLB Amateur Draft. The draft will be held in Atlanta as part of next season’s All-Star Break. News on Thursday broke that Competitive Balance rounds have now been set for the draft. The Royals are set to receive the fourth pick in Competitive Balance Round B. Round B comes after the draft’s second round. In 2024, that encompassed selections 66-73, including some interesting names like Gage Jump from LSU.

The Royals last held a pick in Competitive Balance Round B back in 2023 when they selected outfielder Carson Roccaforte. Kansas City was awarded Competitive Balance picks in Round A both in the 2022 and 2024 drafts, but traded both picks away. This year’s pick will also be eligible for trade if the Royals wish to entertain that move once again. Competitive Balance picks are the only MLB draft picks that are eligible to be traded.

With the additional pick, the Royals will now have four picks in the draft’s first 70 selections. Kansas City will own their traditional first and second-round selections. They’ll also have a pick after the first round that was awarded as a Prospect Incentive bonus due to Bobby Witt Jr.’s Top-3 MVP finish. This latest pick in Comp Round B will make the fourth pick in the Day One portion of next year’s draft.

Some other notable Comp Round picks by the Royals in recent years include 2B Peyton Wilson (2021), RHP Alec Marsh (2019), and LHP Kris Bubic (2018).