Cedar Rapids Prairie graduate Levi Usher drafted by Kansas City Royals

The 10th-rounder was joined by Iowa Hawkeyes players Peyton Williams and Dylan Nedved as Monday draftees

Jul. 18, 2022 7:02 pm, Updated: Jul. 18, 2022 7:20 pm

Levi Usher bats during a game this season for the Louisville Cardinals.

CEDAR RAPIDS — Levi Usher said he just wanted one team to believe in him enough to draft him and give him a chance.

That team turned out to be the Kansas City Royals.

The Cedar Rapids Prairie grad and former Kirkwood Community College outfielder was taken Monday afternoon by the Royals in the 10th round of the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft.

Usher, who has one more season of eligibility remaining at the University of Louisville, told The Gazette over the weekend that he wants to turn pro. The slot value assigned by MLB to his pick (295th overall) is $153,500, though the Royals can offer a signing bonus above or below that amount.

Also drafted Monday were Iowa Hawkeyes first baseman Peyton Williams and pitcher Dylan Nedved. Williams went in the seventh round (218th overall) to the Toronto Blue Jays and Nedved in the ninth round (270th overall) to the San Diego Padres.

The Padres drafted Iowa pitcher Adam Mazur in the second round Sunday night. Nedved has no college eligibility remaining, while Williams has two years.

“Though his well above-average raw power is his carrying tool, Williams also makes consistent contact, controls the strike zone and uses the entire field,” MLB.com said. “A 6-foot-5, 250-pound left-handed hitter whose strength stands out more than his bat speed ... He has limited athleticism and must maintain his conditioning to remain at first base.”

Recent Dubuque Wahlert graduate Tommy Specht was selected in the sixth round by the Texas Rangers. Specht is a University of Kentucky signee who did not play high school baseball this summer, opting to go on the showcase circuit and to play for the Clinton LumberKings of the mostly collegiate Prospect League.

The draft concludes with rounds 11 through 20 Tuesday.