TCU pitcher drafted 17th by Royals

[Bob Of Burleson]

Royals draft TCU lefty Finnegan with first pick

By Dick Kaegel / MLB.com

KANSAS CITY -- The Royals selected left-handed pitcher Brandon Finnegan from TCU as their first-round pick, the 17th overall, in the First-Year Player Draft on Thursday night.

Finnegan was ranked 15th in MLB.com's Top 200 Draft Prospects.

At 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, Finnegan is noted for his 93-95-mph fastball that occasionally creeps into the high 90s and a deceptive delivery. He's also developed a slider as an effective secondary pitch.

He's projected as a pitcher who could succeed either as a starter or a reliever, possibly as a closer. However, the Royals see him as a starting pitcher. He overcame shoulder problems this spring, and in his junior season, he has an 8-3 record and a 2.07 ERA.

First five picks
No. Team Player
1 HOU LHP Brady Aiken
2 MIA RHP Tyler Kolek
3 CWS LHP Carlos Rodon
4 CHC C Kyle Schwarber
5 MIN SS Nick Gordon

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