Royals select high school right-hander Ashe Russell with 21st pick overall
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The Kansas City Royals selected high school pitcher Ashe Russell with the 21st pick overall in the 2015 MLB Draft.
Widely considered among the best amateur pitchers ever to come out of Indiana, the young right-hander wields solid command of two plus offerings - a fastball that can reach 95 miles per hour and a strong slider - with an average changeup.
According to ESPN's Keith Law, however, Ashe's delivery and lack of an elite changeup may prevent him from consistently neutralizing left-handed hitters, thereby forcing him into a bullpen role at baseball's highest level.
Bio
Position: RHP
School: Cathedral High School (Indianapolis); committed to Texas A&M
Height/Weight: 6-4, 195 pounds
Age: 18
Bats: Right; Throws: Right
Stats
| IP | ERA | K/9 | BB/9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | 1.02 | 14.7 | 1.32 |
Overview
Ashe appeared destined after his freshman season for a career at Notre Dame, roughly 137 miles from his Indianapolis high school, but de-committed in August. Instead, the 18-year-old ended up being the first preparatory right-hander selected in the 2015 draft despite his subsequent commitment to Texas A&M.
Highlights