Posted: June 7, 2019
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The second and third Royals to be drafted to the MLB were selected Wednesday in the 16th and 26th rounds.
Relief Pitcher (JR) was selected by the New York Yankees in Round 16 Pick 495. McNeely was as solid a relief pitcher as one could ask for, with 19 appearances and a .95 ERA. He earned four wins two losses and four saves this season for the Royals. He had 51 strike outs in only 38 innings pitched.
Starting Pitcher (SR) was selected by the Chicago White Sox in Round 26 Pick 740. Friedman made 11 appearances for the Royals and was 3-4 on the season. He had a 5.63 ERA over 48 innings pitched. In those 48 innings he had 53 strike outs.
This marks the first time in Royals history that two players have been drafted in the same year, and the first time a pitcher has been drafted. the Royals first draftee was who was taken by the Miami Marlins in the ninth round with the 269th overall pick after tearing it up on the field and at the plate in 2017.
Head Coach was thrilled for his athletes, saying "Our players, program and school are so proud of Justin and Shaine. Their hard work and dedication to improving their craft daily has earned them their opportunity to chase their dream. On behalf of everyone associated with our baseball program we thank them graciously and wish them nothing but health and success!"
Congratulations to these outstanding athletes, their coaches, and to our entire baseball program! We look forward to seeing how these Royals make their mark on and off the field.
