along with the two National League expansion teams set to debut in 1969, the Montreal Expos and San Diego Padres, were allowed to participate in the June 1968 MLB first-year player draft, although the new teams were barred from the lottery's first three rounds. Despite this impediment, the Royals drafted fifty players in the 1968 June draft, including Iorg and other future major leaguers Lance Clemons (seventh round), Monty Montgomery (ninth) and Paul Splittorff (25th). Splittorff would win 166 games for the MLB Royals, including seasons of 20 () and 19 () victories, in a 15-year big-league career, then become a longtime analyst on the team's television crew. The Royals affiliated with three minor league clubs during 1968 to develop drafted players; the rosters were filled out by professional and amateur free agents that had been signed and players loaned from other organizations. 1968 farm system LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: High Point-Thomasville Regular season May 4, 1969: Bob Oliver became the first Royal to collect six hits in a nine-inning game. Season standings Record vs. opponents Notable transactions April 1, 1969: Steve Whitaker and John Gelnar were traded by the Royals to the Seattle Pilots for Lou Piniella. June 5, 1969: 1969 Major League Baseball Draft Keith Marshall was drafted by the Royals in the 5th round. Frank Ortenzio was drafted by the Royals in the 47th round. The first game Starting lineup Scorecard April 8, Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri Roster Player stats Batting Starters by position Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Other batters Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Pitching Starting pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Other pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Relief pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Farm system LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Omaha Elmira affiliation shared with San Diego Padres Awards and honors 1969 Major League Baseball All-Star Game Ellie Rodríguez (reserve,