The Royals have not historically been a great organization at identifying and developing hitters with strong plate discipline. Since 2000, the Royals swing at more pitches out of the strike zone<\/a> than any team and rank dead last in walk rate<\/a>. Too often, the Royals have leaned toward toolsy hitters with athletic upside that come with swing-and-miss concerns, rather than prioritizing hitters whose value is anchored in strike-zone control, contact quality, and good swing decisions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n That may be changing under scouting director Brian Bridges. A common theme in the last two draft classes has been hitters who have a plan when they step up to the plate, with less of an emphasis on speed burners or guys with raw power.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The upcoming draft provides an opportunity for the Royals to improve their stock of hitters in the farm system with some players who can work the count and find a good pitch to hit. Here are some college hitters who may be available after round one that have exhibited some good plate discipline.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n OF Logan Hughes, Texas Tech<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Baseball America rank: #45<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Hughes is a power hitter who has smashed 37 home runs over the last two seasons for the Red Raiders. He hit .375\/.510\/.735 with 18 home runs and 50 walks in 55 games this year, earning Baseball America second team All-American honors. They write<\/a> he is a \u201cpatient and selective hitter who does a nice job staying within the strike zone\u201d with a \u201cpenchant for putting the barrel on the ball even on the rare occasions when he does expand the zone.\u201d Despite his prodigious power, he wasn\u2019t a swing-and-miss guy, with a terrific 12.2 percent strikeout rate in his career. Hughes doesn\u2019t offer a lot of size or athleticism, and will likely play in the corners, but he brings elite bat speed, a terrific hit tool and good eye to the plate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n OF Ty Head, North Carolina State<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Head brings a great approach with solid tools as a left-handed hitter. His 88% overall contact rate and 91% in-zone contact rate put him among the better pure hitters in the class. He hit .291\/.460\/.556 with 57 walks and just 23 strikeouts in 56 games with the Wolfpack this year, and posted similar strikeout and walk numbers last year. There is some swing-and-miss risk in his timing and a tendency toward a \u201cslap\u201d approach that can limit damage, but evaluators believe there is real hit-tool upside if the swing is refined. Head is a plus runner who could handle centerfield at the pro level, and he developed some decent power this year with 14 home runs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n