The wait was a little longer than Kyle DeGroat expected but the result was just as he hoped.
DeGroat, the 18-year-old Wallkill High School graduate , was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the Major League Baseball Draft on Tuesday. He was picked in the 14th round with the No. 407 overall selection.
"It's awesome,'' DeGroat said. "I'm so happy with where I landed.''
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He had a commitment to the University of Texas in his back pocket but DeGroat has decided to start his pro career. As of Wednesday morning, DeGroat had not signed a contract and wouldn't reveal the financial terms but he was satisfied with the discussions between his advisor and the Royals, and plans to head to the Royals' minor-league camp in Arizona shortly.
"We think it's best for me to start my pro career now and get my foot in the door,'' DeGroat said. He said he contacted the Longhorn coaches and they accepted his decision.
Expecting to be picked on the second day — featuring rounds two through 10 out of a total of 20 — DeGroat said he was anxious for his name to appear on the Draft Tracker that his family was following closely. DeGroat was in contact with his advisor, who said a number of clubs were showing interest, including the Pirates, Brewers, White Sox, Guardians and a few others. DeGroat actually spotted his name on the tracker before getting a call from his advisor.
"I started freaking out,'' DeGroat recalled. "I called my advisor and I'm like, 'What just happened? The Royals just took me' ''. DeGroat said two scouts from the Royals were soon in touch, expressing their excitement.
"I let them know I was excited to get to work and get after my new journey,'' DeGroat said. "They're pumped for me. I am beyond excited to get to work with them and develop my career to the next level.''
"This is what I dreamed of since I was a kid,'' he added.
Family and friends quickly made phone calls and texts. "My phone blew up!'' DeGroat said. And many gathered at his home for a night full of celebration and setting off fireworks.
"I can't thank my friends, family and coaches enough for everything they've done for me,'' he said.
DeGroat was named a Rawlings second-team All-America and first-team All-Region 1 all-star in June. He is consistently throwing 92-94 mph and has even touched 97.
At Wallkill this season, DeGroat made seven starts out of nine appearances, posting 102 strikeouts, allowing 16 singles and no extra-base hits. He limited opponents to four earned runs for a 0.60 ERA. He was named the Section 9 Class AA player of the year and division all-star.
The Royals have minor league teams in the Arizona Rookie League, Class A Columbia, high-A Quad Cities, Class AA Northwest Arkansas and Class AAA Omaha.
"I plan to move through the minor leagues throughout the years,'' DeGroat said. "I know it's going to be a slower process, being a high school kid. They move you slower because you have less experience and you're much younger, by at least three years, than all these kids getting drafted out of college, so I have a little more time to develop and get through what I need. My goal is to make it big and I find that the process in the minor league is the best I can get to get started.''
Army graduate and catcher Derek Berg was chosen by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 10th round on Monday. The Black Knights were hopeful that Sam Ruta could be selected on Tuesday but he was not chosen inside the 20 rounds.
kmcmillan@th-record.com
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This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Wallkill pitcher Kye DeGroat drafted by the Kansas City Royals, passes on Texas Longhorns
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