Photo by: Nicole Finch | Louisville Athletics
Rose Selected by Royals with No. 6 Overall Pick
July 11, 2026 | Baseball
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – University of Louisville outfielder Zion Rose was selected by the Kansas City Royals with the sixth overall pick in the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft on Saturday.
Rose becomes the fourth-highest draft pick in program history behind Henry Davis (No. 1 in 2021), Brendan McKay (No. 4 in 2017) and Corey Ray (No. 5 in 2016).
Louisville has now had 112 MLB draft selections during Dan McDonnell's tenure and 11 taken in the first round.
Rose did it all in his three-year career with the Cardinals.
The Chicago native led the Cardinals with a .380 batting average as a freshman, earning Freshman All-America honors. Rose was then one of two Cards to start all 66 games in Louisville's 2025 College World Series season, ranking top 12 in the ACC in stolen bases, RBIs, triples, runs, hits and total bases.
Despite battling injuries this spring as a junior, Rose was named an All-American after hitting .417 with 13 doubles, six homers and 47 RBIs in just 36 games.
Rose was a two-time member of the USA Collegiate National Team and a two-time All-ACC selection.
The outfielder was also prolific in the classroom, earning Academic All-America honors in 2025 in addition to winning the NCAA Elite 90 Award presented to the student-athlete with the highest GPA at the College World Series.
Rounding out his college career, Rose also garnered accolades for his work in the community. He was selected to the 2026 Tony Gwynn Community Service Trophy Starting Nine and was named a Co-Captain of the 2026 Lou Gehrig Community Impact Team.
The 2026 Major League Baseball Draft continues with the first four rounds on Saturday. Rounds 5-20 will be held on Sunday.
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Rose becomes the fourth-highest draft pick in program history behind Henry Davis (No. 1 in 2021), Brendan McKay (No. 4 in 2017) and Corey Ray (No. 5 in 2016).
Louisville has now had 112 MLB draft selections during Dan McDonnell's tenure and 11 taken in the first round.
Rose did it all in his three-year career with the Cardinals.
The Chicago native led the Cardinals with a .380 batting average as a freshman, earning Freshman All-America honors. Rose was then one of two Cards to start all 66 games in Louisville's 2025 College World Series season, ranking top 12 in the ACC in stolen bases, RBIs, triples, runs, hits and total bases.
Despite battling injuries this spring as a junior, Rose was named an All-American after hitting .417 with 13 doubles, six homers and 47 RBIs in just 36 games.
Rose was a two-time member of the USA Collegiate National Team and a two-time All-ACC selection.
The outfielder was also prolific in the classroom, earning Academic All-America honors in 2025 in addition to winning the NCAA Elite 90 Award presented to the student-athlete with the highest GPA at the College World Series.
Rounding out his college career, Rose also garnered accolades for his work in the community. He was selected to the 2026 Tony Gwynn Community Service Trophy Starting Nine and was named a Co-Captain of the 2026 Lou Gehrig Community Impact Team.
The 2026 Major League Baseball Draft continues with the first four rounds on Saturday. Rounds 5-20 will be held on Sunday.
FOLLOW LOUISVILLE BASEBALL ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans can follow Louisville baseball on X, Facebook or Instagram at @LouisvilleBSB.
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