The time is here Royals fans! Quite possibly one of the bigger nights in this franchise’s history starts in a few hours. But before all the drama unfolds, let’s take one last roundup on some of the most recent mock drafts and see how the Royals unfold in them.

Brian Sakowski, Perfect Game

18. Nolan Gorman, 3B, O’Connor HS (Arizona)

We’re sticking with Gorman here, but he’s in play as high as No. 8 with Atlanta so it’s well within reason that he’s long gone by now. The Royals have a ton of picks and therefore a ton of money to play with. This could be a spot for Logan Gilbert if he slips as well.

33. Jordan Groshans, SS, Magnolia HS (Texas)

34. Sean Hjelle, RHP, Kentucky

The Royals, like the Rays before them, have a chance to get really creative in this draft. We have them going with prep power in Nolan Gorman and Jordan Groshans, two of the most consistent prep power bat performers over the past year-plus. It makes sense to pair those two with a safer college arm, and Hjelle fits that profile.

40. Adam Kloffenstein, RHP, Magnolia HS (Texas)

Kloffenstein is in play higher than this, even into the 20s at some spots, but in this projection he slips a bit. The Royals have already taken Jordan Groshans from Magnolia High School in this mock, so reuniting the two high-upside prep teammates in this draft would be a nice fit while providing excellent value.

Andrew Lawrence, Sporting News

18. Brice Turang, SS, Santiago HS (California)

The big question holding Turang back from perhaps entering the top-15 picks of the first round is whether he’ll be able to hit for power as a professional.  Weighing only 165 pounds, scouts love his approach at the plate and his defense but question if he’ll be able to add any pop to his bat.  Beyond that, Turang is considered one of the better all-around players in the draft and features smooth hands and good footwork at shortstop.

Jonathan Mayo, MLB Pipeline

18. Jordyn Adams, OF, Green Hope HS (North Carolina)

Mayo: Jordyn Adams, OF, Green Hope HS (Cary, NC) — Like Tampa Bay, Kansas City has five picks over the first two rounds, so it can be creative and aggressive in going after high-end talent, including someone like Adams, a two-sport standout who could go to North Carolina for football and baseball.

33. Alek Thomas, OF, Mount Carmel HS (Illinois)

Mayo: Alek Thomas, OF, Mt. Carmel HS (Chicago) — The Royals are mentitoned with several high school athletes, and Thomas certainly is one. The son of White Sox strength coach Allen Thomas, Alek has a good feel to hitting and excellent overall athleticism.

34. Grayson Rodriguez, RHP, Central Heights HS (Texas)

Mayo: Grayson Rodriguez, Central Heights HS (Nacogdoches, Texas) — This time we’ll have the Royals go the high school pitching route. Rodriguez’s name comes up all over the first round, so if he’s gone, Kansas City could turn to a prep arm like Wilcox.

Jim Callis, MLB Pipeline

18. Ryan Rolison, LHP, Mississippi

Callis: Ryan Rolison, LHP, Mississippi — Kansas City could be tempted by Adams or Groshans if they are available, or go for a college pitcher if not.

33. Nick Schnell, OF, Roncalli HS (Indiana)

Callis: Nick Schnell, OF, Roncalli HS (Indianapolis) — Groshans or Seigler won’t get past Kansas City if they somehow last this long. One of the high school outfielders might be the best alternative. Among other position-player options, this could be the peak for Missouri State shortstop Jeremy Eierman and Alabama prep shortstop Jeremiah Jackson.

34. Ethan Hankins, RHP, Forsyth Central HS (Georgia)

Callis: Ethan Hankins, RHP, Forsyth Central HS (Cumming, Ga.) — If Hankins is fully healthy — and he has a clean MRI — he could be a coup for the pitching-needy Royals.

Jeff Ellis, 247 Sports

18. Nick Schnell, OF, Roncalli HS (Indiana)

Schnell has had a lot of late talk and the Royals, if they want him, have to take him here. They have had multiple high picks from the Indiana high school ranks, where Schnell is from.

33. Parker Meadows, OF, Grayson HS (Georgia)

Royals have been tied to nearly every prep ceiling talent in this draft. Meadows is a prominent player they have been tied to and one who is in play for multiple teams ahead of them in this mock.

34. Jordan Groshans, 3B, Magnolia HS (Texas)

Groshans is another player they have been tied to repeatedly and, at this point, is the top player on my board. I think Groshans is a better prospect than Gorman, so to get him here is a steal.

40. Kumar Rocker, RHP, North Oconee HS (Georgia)

After taking three bats, Rocker is too good a value to pass on for the Royals. They could reach for a college player, but Rocker is in play from the 20s on and, at this point, is a player the Royals should be able to afford, as none of the players I have had them draft are on the high cost side.

Taylor Blake Ward, 247 Sports

18. Cole Wilcox, RHP, Heritage HS (Georgia)

With the largest bonus pool available, look for Kansas City to hit the prep ranks hard. With picks at 33, 34, 40 and 58, they can take a chance at getting some of their primary guys with their second, third or fourth picks. Wilcox, Adams, Groshans, and Parker Meadows seem to be their key targets, but it may be hard to pass on a talent quite like Weathers.

33. Jordan Groshans, 3B, Magnolia HS (Texas)

Kansas City has been linked to Groshans from the start of the conversation process and some believe he’ll be taken by the Royals with their first pick. If he makes it past Texas in the teens and is a secondary option for everyone in the 20’s, he should get back to the Rays where they’ll happily take him.

34. Kumar Rocker, RHP, North Oconee HS (Georgia)

Another Vanderbilt commit who’s falling after some odd performance near season’s end, Rocker has been on the Royals radar through spring. Another steal for a team with a gluttony of picks and bonus.

Additional Note:

– Elijah Cabell has been seen at workouts in Kansas City. Comp-A may be a pick high for them to pull the trigger but worth monitoring.

Eric Longenhagen and Kiley McDaniel, FanGraphs

18. Nick Schnell, OF, Roncalli HS (Indiana)

The Royals, like the Rays, have a huge pool and are mostly targeting the top prep talents so they can use their draft pool to move players around. Schnell, Naylor, Adams, Casas, Groshans, Denaburg, Hoglund, and Georgia prep righties Wilcox, Hankins, and Rocker are the wide field of candidates in play here and the next couple picks, with Rolison also in the mix as a college player, likely only at this pick.

33. Jordan Groshans, 3B, Magnolia HS (Texas)

34. Grayson Rodriguez, RHP, Central Heights HS (Texas)

40. Kumar Rocker, RHP, North Oconee HS (Georgia)

58. Josh Breaux, C, McLennan JC (Texas)

Photo Credits: Jenna Watson—Indy Star