The Kansas City Royals picked local kid, Bubba Starling with the fifth pick in the 2011 MLB Draft. Derek "Bubba" Starling was the highest-ranked high school player on most mock draft boards. He's a two-sport star recruited to play quarterback for Nebraska next season. Baseball scouts drool over his five-tool potential and consider him the best athlete in the draft. He's a bit raw at the plate but shows great potential.
The real fun begins now for this kid represented by agent Scott Boras. It's going to take an estimated $5 million signing bonus to get him to forgo college quarterback fame at Nebraska and spend a few years in the minor leagues learning how to play professional baseball.
"People think they know I'm going to take the money," Starling said in a recent interview. "They don't know. They don't know I love football as much as I do."
Drafting him with a top seven pick at least gives the team protection. If they aren't able to sign him, a compensation pick in the 2012 MLB Draft will be awarded.
Drafting him this high is a bit of a risk but for a guy compared to Josh Hamilton, it's probably worth it. Starling is 6-5, 195 pounds and just 18-years-old. He comes from Overland Park, KS.
Washington Nationals are up next with the sixth pick in the 2011 MLB Draft.
For more on the 2011 MLB Draft, visit AZ Snake Pit for in-depth coverage of the Arizona Diamondbacks and SB Nation's Baseball Nation for national draft coverage.