2.54 Kansas City Royals - Brett Eibner, RHP, Arkansas

The Royals spent the 54th overall pick on Brett Eibner.

Follow the jump for his pre-draft report.

Brett Eibner   Position: RHP/OF   School: Arkansas   State: AR   Year: Jr.   Height: 6’4’’   Weight: 210

Bats: R   Throws: R   Birth Date: 12/2/88   Seiler Rating: 1C3   Last Drafted: 2007 (HOU-4)

Brett Eibner is an exciting two-way player from the University of Arkansas. Eibner came to Arkansas from The Woodlands High School in Texas, which is just outside of Houston and is now famous for the great Jameson Taillon, as well as former first round pick Kyle Drabek. Eibner was heavily recruited and scouted in high school, and the Astros took a chance on him with their fourth round pick back in 2007. However, he was part of that disastrous draft class that lacked any impact signing, and he’s gone on to have a solid career as a two-way player for the Razorbacks. After a pair of mildly disappointing years as both a pitcher and hitter, he was seen as one of the more exciting players on the Cape last summer, though he left pretty quickly after straining his elbow on the mound. He turned in his best year to date this spring with both the bat and on the mound, resulting in more ambiguity about which position scouts prefer. He greatly prefers to hit, which could hold up some negotiations, but he’s not expected to be a tough sign either way as an impact right field bat or a potential number three starter. On the mound, he has an above-average fastball that sits 91-94 on his best days, and he’s touched as high as 97 this spring. He complements it with a plus slider and solid-average changeup, giving him even more projection once he concentrates on pitching. Offensively, he’s a fringe-average hitter with plus raw power, solid-average speed, above-average range for a potential right field spot, and a plus arm. He currently plays center field, but he fits better in right. He’s an impact player either way, and even though he’s likely to be picked as a hitter due to his preference, don’t be surprised to see him switch to pitching if needed. He’s a solid first round candidate, and he won’t slip outside of the first day (top 50 picks).