Former Liberty County High School and First Presbyterian Christian Academy pitcher Richard Lovelady is getting closer to the major leagues.

Lovelady is projected to be among the top 10 prospects moving from the minor leagues to the major leagues with the Kansas City Royals.

Lovelady is listed as No. 9 on the Royals prospect ranking list, according to Royals Farm Report’s Patrick Brennan and writers Alex Duvall and Drew Osborne.

The list came out Dec. 15.

Brennan called Lovelady, "one of Kansas City’s most beloved prospects," and "flat out dominant since being drafted in June of 2016."

Brennan noted that Lovelady’s strike out to walks ratio (K:BB) is 107:26 and that he has the potential of being a future closer.

He added that Lovelady is still developing and has a fastball that clocks in at 90 miles per hour.

"At this point, really the only thing keeping Lovelady out of KC is the front office," Brennan wrote.

Lovelady started his collegiate career at East Georgia State but finished at Kennesaw State University.

He was acquired by the Royals in the 10th round of the 2016 MLB draft.