Kansas City, Mo. ? The Kansas City Royals selected TCU left-hander Brandon Finnegan with their first-round pick in Major League Baseball’s first-year player draft Thursday night.

Scouts are divided on whether Finnegan projects as a starter or reliever. The 5-foot-11 junior dealt with a stiff shoulder this past season, raising concerns about his durability.

Finnegan’s fastball has been clocked in the upper 90s, though it tends to sit between 90 and 95 mph. He also has a curveball and slider that are both developing.

The Royals chose him with the 17th overall pick.

The club also had the No. 28 pick (high school left-hander Foster Griffin) Thursday night as compensation for losing Ervin Santana in free agency; the No. 40 pick (high school catcher Chase Vallot) in the competitive balance portion of the draft; and the No. 56 pick (high school right-hander Scott Blewett) in the second round.