Kansas City, Mo. ? For the first time in six years, the Kansas City Royals may not draft a pitcher in the first round.

But don’t bet the ranch on it.

“I think there’s more left-handed pitchers, quality pitchers, than I can remember in a long time,” said Deric Ladnier, the Royals’ senior director of scouting.

“In the first four or five rounds, people are going to get some pretty good left-handed pitchers. But to say we’re purposely going after pitchers, that’s not anywhere near the truth.”

Once again, the Royals should be in position to get a top prospect. In the first round today, Pittsburgh picks first, followed by Tampa Bay, Cincinnati, Baltimore and Montreal. Then Ladnier, in his second year as top talent-hunter for the Royals, makes his choice.

He has a few players in mind. Naturally, he’s playing his cards close to the vest.

“We’ve got it down to about four names,” he said. “It’s going to be determined by what the five clubs in front of us are going to do, what direction they take. Whether they draft by need, or take the best college player, or the best high school player. I’m fairly sure at least one of those four will still be there for us.”

The last non-pitcher the Royals took in the opening round was husky outfielder Dermal Brown in 1996. Since then, it’s been nothing but pitchers.

“I think what it comes down to is the organization selects the player they feel is going to be the most productive major league player,” Ladnier said. “If the team selects a pitcher, they think he’s going to be a No. 1 or No. 2 starter.

“If it’s a position player, they feel he’s going to be an impact player. Drafted as high as No. 1, the guy should be a very productive major league player.”

By this standard, Ladnier’s predecessors did not do a very good job for the Royals. Brown, after a couple of trips to the big league club, is back in Triple-A trying to cut down on his strikeouts. Of the seven pitchers taken with first-round picks since Brown, only Dan Reichert is on the major league roster.

Since 1986, Kansas City’s only first-rounder who has become a big-time major league player is right-hander Kevin Appier. The ace of the Royals’ staff for several years, Appier is now a top starter for the California Angels.

One difference now, however, is the ownership of David Glass. Until last year’s draft, the Royals had been in ownership limbo since 1993, and consequently had to consider signability when making their selections.

Now whether the Royals are willing to meet the young prospect’s price may not be as big a factor.

“Last year for the first time in a long time, this organization was able to go out and get the best available guy and be aggressive,” said general manager Allard Baird.