It did not take long for the Royals to go back to another pitcher, selecting Grant Fontenot at #299. Fontenot is a right-handed pitcher out of LSU. The slot value for the pick is $195,600. Fontenot was unranked by both DiamondCentric and MLB Pipeline.

Fontenot spent two seasons in Baton Rouge, preceded by one season apiece at McLennan Community College and Texas. In his three NCAA seasons, Fontenot registered a 4.10 ERA and 1.531 WHIP in 48.1 innings pitched. In 2026, he clocked a 4.18 ERA and 1.577 WHIP in 32.1 innings pitched.

In high school, Fontenot was ranked the No. 1 prospect in Louisiana by Prep Baseball Report.