KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - The Kansas City Royals selected shortstop Hunter Dozier out of Stephen F. Austin with the eighth overall pick in the Major League Baseball draft Thursday night.

The Royals passed on several players rated more highly by draft pundits for an infielder with power who is likely to move to third base. The slot value for the pick is $3,137,800.

Kansas City already has shortstop Alcides Escobar signed through 2015 with club options for two more years, and drafted shortstop Christian Colon fourth overall in 2010.

Colon was hitting .236 at Triple-A Omaha entering Thursday night.

Many mock drafts had the Royals interested in high school left-hander Trey Ball, who went one spot earlier to the Boston Red Sox.