Five first-round draft scenarios for the Royals

Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel via Imagn Content Services, LLCThis year’s Major League Baseball Draft begins July 17. For the fourth straight year, the Royals hold a top-ten draft pick as they own the ninth selection. Additionally, the Royals have two other picks among the first 50 selections—Nos. 35 and 49.

In 2019, the Royals used the draft’s second selection on shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. The following draft, Kansas City drafted left-handed pitcher Asa Lacy with the No. 4 pick out of Texas A&M. Last year, with the number 7 selection, the Royals chose another left-handed pitcher, this one out of a high school in Connecticut, Frank Mozzicato.

When the Royals’ first-rounder comes up this draft,…