After a poor start from Sean O’Sullivan (4IP, 9H, 6R, 3BB, 5), Blaine Hardy followed with four scoreless innings of relief. He allowed just two hits while striking out four to pick up the win.

Salvador Perez again caught all nine innings (he went 0-for-3 with a run scored). Chris Getz was the DH and went 0-for-5. Five Omaha players had two hits.

Justin Marks from last season with the Blue Rocks

After taking over first place in the Texas League’s North Division on Saturday night, NW Arkansas traveled to face the team they stook first place from, Tulsa. The Drillers came back to defeat the Naturals, 4-2 and ended their seven-game winning streak.

Neither team hit early on, as pitching dominated. Naturals starter Justin Marks allowed just one run on five hits and two walks over seven innings. However the Drillers came back with three runs with two outs off Naturals reliever Patrick Keating. Two of those runs scored on Rey Navarro‘s fielding error at shortstop.

The Naturals had just four hits, with Ryan Jenkins delivering the two out, two-run double in the 7th inning. Three of their four hits came in that inning.

The Wilmington Blue Rocks were swept at Winston-Salem, as they lost Sunday’s finale 2-0. The Blue Rocks collected just three hits. The loss pushed the Blue Rocks to five games back of Lynchburg in the Carolina League’s Northern Division with seven games to go in the first half. They have lost five in a row.

The Blue Rocks struck out eight times, back-to-back to end the game. Brett Eibner picked up two more strikeouts, to raise his total to 70 on the season (fourth most in the CL).

Sugar Ray Marimon took the loss. He allowed two runs on seven hits and four walks over six innings. Brooks Pounders made his Blue Rocks debut with one scoreless inning of relief.

Kane County went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position en route to their 4-1 loss to Peoria. Four of the Cougars’ seven hits came from Daniel Mateo and Michael Antonio.

Andrew Ferguson made his first start of the 2012 season for the Cougars (he was an 18th round draft pick of the KC Royals in last June’s draft out of Arkansas State University). He allowed one run on two hits and four walks over four innings. He struck out four.

As we all know, the Rule 5 Draft can yield some quality players for teams looking to take a chance. The most famous Royals case is our beloved closer Joakim Soria, who was taken from the San Diego Padres in the 2006 Draft. Soria had a 2.48 ERA in 69 innings in his first season with Kansas City, even garnering some Rookie of the Year votes. More recently, the Royals selected pitcher Nathan Adcock from the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2010 Draft. Adcock gave the Royals some good relief appearances this season and ended the year with a 4.62 ERA in 60.1 innings, including three starts.

So, the question for the Royals becomes “Who are we willing to leave dangling?” It’s hard to watch players get taken in the Rule 5 Draft only to become solid or great major leaguers for another team. With two spots open on the 40-man, there’ll definitely be a few decisions to make as the day goes on.

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And just like building a piece of furniture out of the box from Walmart, there are a lot of other pieces laying about, and I have a feeling they’re important.

These are a handful of prospects who I think warrant mentioning, but fall just short of getting a full profile:

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Blake Wood, doin' his thing. (Minda Haas)

Well, it’s that time again. In the final installment, I want to just briefly touch on the major competitors for bullpen spots in Kansas City this year and who to watch for in Spring Training. The new signing of Jeff Francis has cleared up the starting corps picture a bit, so it’s easier to get a look at potential relievers with the rotation filled out.

As you might guess, there are a ton of reliever candidates that will make appearances in the Royals’ Spring Training camp. Just from a passing glance, here’s the total list:

Does that give you enough options? I’ll note that Blaine Hardy has been a partial starter with Omaha, so he might get a pass on relieving. Miner has been both a starter and a reliever with the Tigers and could be in line for a chance at a starting spot if injuries or down performances occur. Guys like Henry Barrerra, Kevin Pucetas, Danny Duffy and Gaby Hernandez might get some looks as potential relievers, at least for a short time. Nonetheless, there are a bunch of options for the bullpen. It’s nice to see so many young guys in the running for spots.
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Okay, you might be thinking “Blaine? His name is Blaine?  That’s a major appliance; that’s not a name!”  Or, for those of you reading who aren’t pushing thirty, you might confuse him with soft-tossing lefty Rowdy Hardy.  But they’re totally different pitchers and Blaine may be coming to a major league ballpark near you.
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Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer‘s fine seasons have earned them All-Star honors, but what other prospects will represent the Royals? Read on.
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One of the films they would show with regularity was Pollyanna starring Hayley Mills (later of The Parent Trap and Saved By The Bell fame). If you don’t know the story, it goes like this: Pollyanna moves to an embittered town after becoming orphaned. Her aunt is a spinster, and the town is full of general grumpiness and discontent. Until Pollyanna comes along. She refuses to see anything in a negative light, always looking for the bright side. Why, she even makes Rany look like a Grinch. One of her favorite techniques was to play “The Glad Game” – coming up with anything and everything that made her glad.

Well, the Royals are 11-17, they’ve only won one series all year. They just came out of a series at Tampa where they scored only 8 runs. Their pitchers have walked more than any other team. The bullpen has fallen apart multiple times.

I think we could use some Gladness in Kansas City.  Here’s what I’m glad about:
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RHP-Jacob Theis (21st Round/625th Overall) Mountlake Terrace HS (Washington)
Rookie – Arizona League Royals
Season does not start until June 21st
Theis pitched only a third of an inning in 2008 for the AZL Royals.  He had a 27.00 ERA and gave up 4 hits.  Not exactly a great debut but it was the smallest of sample sizes.

LHP-Blaine Hardy (22/655) Lewis-Clark State College (Idaho)
Low-A – Burlington Bees
In 2008 Hardy pitched for Idaho Falls and threw 34.2 innings with a 4.15 ERA, 8 BB, and 34 SO in 21 games as a relief pitcher.  The Royals moved him to Low-A to start the 2009 season and even gave him a couple starts.  In 45.1 innings pitched, over 13 appearances, he has a 2.78 ERA with 46 SO and 9 BB.  He has also only given up 41 hits.  In his outings as a reliever, Hardy has been even more impressive.  He has pitched 31.1 innings from the pen and has a 1.72 ERA with 32 SO, 7 BB, and only 21 hits allowed.  By the numbers, Hardy looks like a late round, small college steal.  He is one of the few Royals picks from the 2008 draft to be advanced a level to start 2009.  A very good sign for his future is that his excellent SO/BB numbers have improved from 4.25 to 5.11 even though he is pitching against more advanced competition.

RHP-Dale De Schepper (23/685) Mount San Jacinto JC (California)
Rookie – Arizona League Royals
Season does not start until June 21st
No Stats in 2008

3B-Jason Morales (24/715) University of North Carolina, Pembroke
Rookie – Burlington Royals
Season does not start until June 23rd
Morales hit .187/.279/.260 in 123 AB for the Burlington Royals in 2008.  He played in 35 games, drew 13 walks, and struck out 32 times.

RHP-Carson Bryant (25/745) Azusa Pacific (California)
Low-A – Burlington Bees
In 2008 Bryant pitched for the Burlington Royals and threw 37.0 innings with a 4.62 ERA, 10 BB, 42 SO, and 41 hits.  He pitched in 13 games, 5 of which were as a starter.  Like Blaine Hardy, Bryant was bumped up to Low-A to start the 2009 season.  He hasn’t been as good as Hardy but he has held his own.  In 29.2 innings, over 13 appearances, with the Bees he has a 5.16 ERA with 20 BB, 29 SO, and 30 hits.  After his promotion, he has maintained his SO/9 and H/9 rates from the previous season in Rookie ball.  His walks however have jumped quite a bit.  If he can get his BB/9 number back down he has a shot to open with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals in 2010.

RHP-Ryan Morgan (26/775) Rockhurst University (Missouri)
Rookie – Idaho Falls Chukars
Season does not start until June 23rd
Morgan pitched 43.0 innings for Idaho Falls in 2008.  He had a 6.70 ERA with 34 BB, 32 SO, and 54 hits.  Of his 15 appearances, 11 of them were as a starter.  Morgan is a Missouri kid, born in St. Louis and played for Rockhurst University in Kansas City, and is definitely someone to root for.  One of Dayton Moore’s goals when he took over as GM was to ensure that the Royals scouted and signed as much local talent as possible, much like the Atlanta Braves have done for years.  Morgan is one of several area players from the 2008 draft that have that “local” flavor.

LHP-Timothy Huber (27/805) University of Nebraska, Omaha
Rookie – Idaho Falls Chukars
Season does not start until June 23rd
Huber’s first season in the Royals farm system was a busy one.  He started his career with Idaho Falls and pitched 24.0 innings with a 3.38 ERA, 13 BB, 18 SO, and 19 H in 13 games.  He then got promoted to Low-A where he pitched 6.0 innings with a 10.50 ERA, 5 BB, 3 SO, and 10 H over 4 relief appearances.  After his stint in low-A, Huber was sent down to the Rookie level Burlington Royals.  There he pitched 3.0 innings with a 18.00 ERA, 2 BB, 4 SO, and 8 H in 3 games.  Huber, born and raised in Nebraska, is another example of local talent drafted and signed under Moore’s directive.  Huber should open the 2009 season back where he started in 2008 with the Idaho Falls Chukars.

RHP-Gregory Billo (28/835) Sandburg HS (Illinois)
Rookie – Arizona League Royals
Season does not start until June 21st
Billo pitched 14.1 innings for the AZL Royals in 2008.  He had a 5.65 ERA with 8 BB, 13 SO, and 21 H.  He pitched in 7 games, 4 of them as a starter.

1B-Beau Brett (29/865) Ferris HS (Washington)
Did not sign with the Royals

LHP-Dieterick Dodridge (30/895) Ogemay Heights HS (Michigan)
Did not sign with the Royals

OF-Ryan Curl (31/925) St. Francis DeSales HS (Ohio)
Did not sign with the Royals

RHP-Rey Cotilla (32/955) Miami-Dade CC (Florida)
Did not sign with the Royals

RHP-Eric Swegman (33/985) Young Harris JC (Georgia)
Did not sign with the Royals

RHP-Brett Richardson (34/1015) Wenatchee Valley CC (Washington)
Richardson pitched 19.2 innings for the AZL Royals in 2008.  He had a 1.37 ERA, 3 BB, 9 SO, and 18 H in 14 games.  He was then promoted to the Triple-A Omaha Royals where he pitched 2.1 innings with an 11.57 ERA, 1 BB, 2 SO, and 6 H in 3 games.  I can’t find Richardson listed on any of the 2009 Royals rosters, nor can I find him listed on milb.com as an active player.  I also searched the web for news articles relating to him and came up empty.

RHP-Chris Balcom-Miller (35/1045) West Valley College (California)
Did not sign with the Royals

RHP-Nick Purdy (36/1075) St. Mary’s SS (Grafton, ON)
Did not sign with the Royals

RHP-Bradin Hagens (37/1105) Merced JC (California)
Did not sign with the Royals

RHP-James Thompson (38/1135) Columbus State University (Georgia)
Low-A – Burlington Bees
In 2008 Thompson pitched for Idaho Falls and threw 29.1 innings with a 3.99 ERA, 18 BB, 39 SO, and 28 H in 22 games.  The Royals moved him up to Low-A Burlington to start the 2009 season.  Just like Blaine Hardy, Thompson has continued to be impressive.  He has pitched 25.1 innings with a 2.84 ERA, 17 BB, 30 SO, and 18 H in 17 relief appearances.  On top of those numbers, Thompson has made 7 straight appearances without allowing a run to score.  LH batters are hitting .303 off of him, but he has been absolute death to RH batters holding them to a .140 BA.

RHP-Ryan Modglin (39/1165) Scott City HS (Missouri)
Did not sign with the Royals
Modglin marks another attempt by the Royals to draft and sign a local kid.  He elected to instead play college ball with Missouri State.

RHP-Pernell Halliman (40/1195) Jackson State University (California)
Rookie – Burlington Royals
Season does not start until June 23rd
In 2008 Halliman pitched for rookie level Burlington and threw 26.0 innings with an 8.31 ERA, 16 BB, 20 SO, and 38 H.  He pitched in 12 games, 3 of them as a starter.

C-Doug Joyce (41/1225) Stanwood HS (Washington)
Did not sign with the Royals

RHP-Marc Oslund (42/1255) West HS (California)
Did not sign with the Royals

RHP-Cory Kiefer (43/1285) Valley View HS (California)
Did not sign with the Royals

OF-Patrick Johnson (44/1315) Colony HS (Ontario)
Did not sign with the Royals

OF-Raymond Anderson (45/1344) Lassiter HS (Georgia)
Did not sign with the Royals

1B-William Beckwith (46/1372) West Lowndes HS (Mississippi)
Did not sign with the Royals

LHP-Stephen Gilgenbach (47/1399) University of Arkansas, Little Rock
Rookie – Idaho Falls Chukars
Season does not start until June 23rd
In 2008 Gilgenbach pitched for Idaho Falls and threw 25.1 innings with a 9.59 ERA, 25 BB, 26 SO, and 31 H in 20 relief appearances.

SS-Terrence Buchanan (48/1426) Mount Carmel HS (California)
Did not sign with the Royals

3B-Alan Salgado (49/1453) San Ysidro HS (California)
Did not sign with the Royals

C-Travis Jones (50/1480) Sabino HS (Arizona)
Rookie – AZL Royals
Season does not start until June 21st
Jones hit .188/.316/.188 in 16 AB for the AZL Royals in 2008.  He played in 5 games, drew 3 walks, and struck out 7 times.

Thoughts:
LHP-Blaine Hardy, RHP-Carson Bryant, and RHP-James Thompson all were promoted from rookie ball in 2008 to low-A for the start of 2009.  All 3 have held their own against tougher competition.  Hardy, and Thompson to a lesser extent, might be deserving of a promotion to double-A by the end of the season.  Blaine Hardy stands out as the player to watch from this group, but we still have a few weeks before the rookie level play begins.

As a whole, the Royals signed 32 of their 51 selection in the 2008 draft.  They selected 27 players out of high school, 10 from the JC and CC ranks, 1 from the Baseball Academy in Puerto Rico, and 13 out of college.

In less than a week the 2009 draft class will be in the books.  In their latest mock draft, Baseball America has the Royals picking Grant Green with their 1st round pick at #12.  Green is the top rated SS available in the draft and would certainly fill a huge area of need.  The college Junior is represented by Scott Boras and was ranked among the top 5 in most preseason prospect rankings.  He didn’t have a huge season at USC this year, but he is still close to a 5 tool player at a position the Royals are completely devoid of talent in.  As a college player with tools Green could move quickly if the Royals draft and sign him.