What you need to know about the Royals’ draft, plus your draft open thread

The Major League Rule 4 amateur draft takes place beginning today, and while it may never be the same kind of major event as the NFL or NBA draft, it is pretty important to small market clubs like the Royals who rely on a pipeline of amateur talent at controlled costs.

Here is what you need to know about the draft, and consider this an open thread to discuss anything draft-related. Or non-draft related. It’s a free country.

When is the draft? Rounds 1 and 2 will be Monday, June 4 at 6 p.m. CT. Rounds 3-10 will be Tuesday, June 5 at noon. Rounds 11-40 will be on June 6 at 11 a.m. Picks happen at a much faster pace than the NFL draft, especially after the first round, when they are pretty…