Kansas City, MO (June 9, 2015) – The Kansas City Royals completed day one of the 2015 First-Year Rule 4 Player Draft on Monday, selecting three right-handed pitchers, highlighted by the 21st overall selection, Ashe Russell.  The Royals also selected Nolan Watson with the 33rd overall selection and Josh Staumont at #64 overall.

Kansas City picked Staumont, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound right-hander from Azusa Pacific University in California.  The junior compiled a 6-2 mark and a 3.67 ERA over 13 games (12 starts) for the NCAA Division II Cougars, fanning 109 batters over 68.2 innings.  He held opponents to a .155 average.  The 21-year old is a native of La Habra, Calif.

Earlier in the evening, Kansas City selected the 18-year old Russell, a 6-foot-4, 195-pound hurler from Cathedral Catholic High School in Indianapolis with their first-round pick (21st overall).  Russell was 5-1 with a 1.02 ERA and 67 strikeouts to just nine walks in 41.0 innings as a senior.  The two-time Gatorade Player of the Year in Indiana has committed collegiately to Texas A&M University.

The Royals returned to the Indianapolis prep ranks with the 33rd overall pick, selecting the 18-year old Watson from Lawrence North High School.  The 6-foot-3, 195-pound righty was 6-1 with a 0.68 ERA this spring, striking out 81 over 51.2 innings.

The 2015 First-year Rule 4 Player Draft continues on Tuesday with rounds three through 10 and concludes on Wednesday with rounds 11 to 40.