Royals come to terms with Starling

Kansas City, MO – The Kansas City Royals have come to terms round draft choice Bubba Starling, the fifth overall selection in Year Player Draft.

The 18-year-old Starling, an outfielder from Gardner (Kan.) Edgerton High School, batted .481 this spring for the Trailblazers. In his junior and senior seasons combined, the 6-foot-5 center fielder hit better than .500 with 17 home runs.

"We are ecstatic and relieved to have this process behind us and have Bubba in the fold," said Royals general manager Dayton Moore. "I am extremely proud of J.J. Picollo, Lonnie Goldberg and the entire staff for the work they've done during these negotiations, not just in the Bubba Starling case, but all of the athletes we were able to sign on this very busy day. I'm also thrilled that we were able to come to an agreement with a fine young man from this area who put being a Royal among his priorities in this process. It's now time to get his professional playing career underway."

Starling's signing came down to the last minute before a midnight (et) deadline Monday. He was considering playing football and baseball for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.