Brickhouse signed late in 2011 and made his professional debut in 2012. He started the season with Idaho Falls (rookie ball). He made just one start and was roughed up (seven runs in just 1.2 innings). He then received a promotion to Low-A Kane County (just like Baseball America predicted). There he went 3-3 with a 5.61 ERA in ten starts before being shut down (his last start came on August 11th).

He made three really good starts for the Cougars, including his last. On July 3rd, he allowed just one hit, an unearned run, and a walk over six innings (while striking out six). On July 27th, he allowed one run on three hits over six innings (after being lit up by the same team three starts earlier). In his final start of the season, he allowed three runs (one earned) on three hits and four walks over seven innings. It was the longest start of his short professional career.

Brickhouse is currently participating in instructional league at the Royals spring training complex in Surprise, Arizona. Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star ranks him as the Royals 25th best prospect.

Check out some video of Brickhouse at the Baseball Factory Under Armour All-American Game:

Mike Montgomery had another rough start for the Storm Chasers. He allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out six.

In the loss, Max Ramirez went 2-for-3 with two doubles and three RBIs. Kurt Mertins went 3-for-4 with his second homerun of the season.

NW Arkansas has now lost seven in a row, as they lost their series opener at home to San Antonio, 4-1. The Naturals collected just four hits, with the lone run coming via Mario Lisson‘s solo homerun in the 7th inning.

The Naturals are now six games back in the North Division of the Texas League (last place) at just 4-12 in the second half.

Jason Adam

Jason Adam‘s dominant start on Sunday was spoiled by the late inning heroics of Myrtle Beach, as the Pelicans beat Wilmington 2-1 in ten innings. The Pelicans scored a run in the top of the 9th inning to tie the game.

It was Adam’s best start in a LONG time, as he allowed just three hits and a walk over 7.1 innings. He struck out nine (a career-high). He gave up his first hit with one out in the 4th inning (also his first base runner). The 5th inning was the only inning that the Pelicans had more than one base runner. Adam retired eight in a row before allowing a single in the 8th inning that chased him from the game.

Right-hander Yordano Ventura, who started for the World team in the Futures Game, was promoted to Double-A (according to Blue Rocks radio announcer John Sadak).

Despite collecting eight hits, Kane County lost to Wisconsin, 10-0. They went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

Bryan Brickhouse had another rough start for the Cougars. He allowed eight runs (seven earned) on seven hits and two walks over 5.1 innings.

In the loss, the 5-6 hitters (Julio Aparicio and Alex Llanos) went 6-for-8, but obviously did not score any runs.

Bubba Watch: Bubba Starling went 1-for-4 with a double, a run scored, and an RBI in Burlington’s 6-5 walk-off win. He walked in their 9th inning comeback.

Jeremy Jeffress courtesy of Minda Haas (Royal Blues)

Omaha put together a six-run bottom of the first inning, but saw Albuquerque score eight runs over the next four innings en route to their 11-7 victory. Those eight runs were scored against Storm Chasers starter Mike Montgomery.

Chris Getz continued his rehab and went 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Johnny Giavotella went 2-for-5 with a homerun and three RBIs.

Jeremy Jeffress was dominant in relief. He allowed just one hit over three scoreless innings. He struck out five and threw 21 of his 29 pitches for strikes (if only he could pitch like that all the time).

NW Arkansas collected just two hits, as they lost to San Antonio, 2-0. Carlo Testa picked up the first hit in the 2nd inning and Brian Fletcher picked up the Naturals second and final hit in the 7th inning against a Missions reliever.

Ethan Hollingsworth was the hard luck loser, as he allowed one run on six hits over six innings. The Missions scored their first run in the bottom of the 6th inning.

One night after a crazy 13 inning victory for Wilmington, the Blue Rocks lost to Frederick, 12-8. The game started with an one hour and 19 minute delay. The Blue Rocks scored four runs in the top of the 2nd inning, but saw the Keys score in every inning after the second.

Jason Adam got the start, but did not pick up the loss, despite allowing five runs on six hits and three walks over just 4.1 innings. He also allowed another homerun. Edwin Carl took the loss, as he allowed six runs (five earned) on eight hits over just 2.1 innings.

Jose Bonilla went 2-for-5 with a homerun and Matt Fields hit his 3rd homerun of the season (all in Frederick).

Kane County finished off the three-game sweep over Peoria, with a 4-1 win on Tuesday. Julio Aparicio gave the Cougars some insurance with a two-run homerun in the 9th inning.

Bryan Brickhouse had his best professional start, as he allowed just one hit over six innings while striking out six. The one run he allowed was unearned. That outing produced his first professional victory. Andrew Triggs followed with two scoreless innings of relief. He has still yet to allow an earned run with the Cougars (three appearances for the 2012 draft pick).

Bubba Watch: Bubba Starling went 2-for-4 in Burlington’s 8-1 loss.

Julio Rodriguez

Well, Double-A NW Arkansas was the only team of the four full-season KC Royals affiliates to be in action on Monday. Omaha had the day off, while Wilmington and Kane County are enjoying the All-Star break (I will have coverage tomorrow night on their all-star games).

The Naturals won in walk-off fashion over first-place Tulsa, 6-5 in ten innings. Julio Rodriguez delivered a two-out, walk-off pinch-hit RBI single in his only at-bat of the game. John Whittleman (3-for-5) and Carlo Testa (2-for-3) each hit homeruns in the win and Testa scored the game winner.

The walk off made a winner of reliever Jon Keck, who allowed just two hits over 2.2 innings.

Short-season baseball is just beginning across the country, as Idaho Falls is underway right now. Both the Chukars and Orem have put up six-run innings. In the 7th inning, the Chukars lead the Owlz, 14-8. It was a start to forget for last year’s draft pick Bryan Brickhouse in his professional debut. He allowed seven runs on five hits and three walks over just 1.2 innings.

I plan on doing a weekly recap of the short-season leagues so as not to make these daily minor league recaps get too long.

Burlington had an exhibition game on Sunday and outfielder Bubba Starling left that game with a tight hamstring. He is expected to miss a few days (and the opener in the Appalachian League). The Royals open up tomorrow night.

Some key names:

2011 first round pick Bubba Starling will be in Burlington, North Carolina to start his professional career. He’s been in Arizona working with the Royals as he refines his skills. Starling has a ton of upside, but he’s raw. Bryce Harper is younger and already excelling in the big leagues, but Starling had his attention diverted between football, basketball and baseball. He’s the best athlete in the entire Royals organization, but there’s some risk that baseball acumen never matches his tools. If it does, though, his potential is limitless.

This year’s first round pick, Kyle Zimmer, will stay in Arizona to start out as he nurses hamstring and groin injuries from the end of his college season. Once he’s recovered there, he’ll likely end up in Idaho Falls but could end up in Kane County. He might be able to get five or six starts in this year.

Two key international signees will start in Idaho Falls, as outfielder Elier Hernandez and shortstop Adalberto Mondesi (the Torpedo Boat). Both were among the top Dominican players available last July. They have a ways to go, as Hernandez, the elder, doesn’t even turn 17 until November.

2011 draft picks Bryan Brickhouse, Kyle Smith (both pitchers) and shortstop Jack Lopez are in Idaho as well, and while there hasn’t been an official announcement that I’ve seen that he’s signed, 2012 second round pick left-handed pitcher Sam Selman out of Vanderbilt is listed on the Chukars roster.

Last year’s second rounder, catcher Cameron Gallagher, will join Bubba Starling in Burlington. They’ll be joined by other names like pitcher Jake Junis, shortstop Humberto Arteaga and 2012 draftees Colin Rodgers (a left-handed pitcher from the third round) and outfielder Fred Ford (seventh round). The ninth round pick, Daniel Stumpf (another lefty) will be in Burlington as well. Their fourth round pick, Ken Diekroeger, signed earlier today and could possibly go to Idaho Falls.

Other notables:

The Royals have nine of their top ten picks from 2012 signed. The official announcement is still pending on Selman but it’s safe to assume he’s in the fold. Catcher Chad Johnson is still listed as being in Arizona, and pitcher Zach Lovvorn and outfielder Alexis Rivera are there too. Alfredo Escalera-Maldonado signed but, seeing as how he’s the youngest player selected in the draft, he’ll probably be in Arizona receiving further instruction.

The full roster assignments as of Thursday are linked below:

• Arizona Royals
• Burlington Royals
• Idaho Falls Chukars

For those near Pulaski, Virginia or traveling that way, Bubba Starling should be in the lineup on June 19th for the Burlington Royals first game at 7:05 p.m. EST on the road against the Pulaski Mariners. He’ll debut in Burlington against Elizabethton on the 22nd.

Not in a way that would make me the quirky character on a sitcom, or anything, but I get to work at the same time, go to my break at the same time, check my DVR at home about the same time.

Usually when I run home for my lunch break, I check in via Google Reader to see what’s going on in the world of Royals baseball.

Here’s what I’ve read recently (that you should check out):

First, an interesting video about the teacher who threw a perfect game on MLB 2K11 and won a million dollars because of it. The sidenote is that he wasn’t a baseball fan – just a gamer.

Thus, in order to assist him on his quest, he enlisted many of the same resources baseball fans use on the internet for their information, namely Baseball-Reference.com and other forums. Their scouting reports and statistics showed him the best matchup to throw the perfect game, as well as tendencies of batters. Now, maybe the game’s engine isn’t as sophisticated as to include actual scouting reports, but it helps I’m sure.

Then, check out one of Joe Posnanski’s most recent articles, this time saying what many of us want to say about Fox. Remember, Tim McCarver, “strike” is six letters long…

I’m jealous of Clint Scoles from Pinetar Press – he was down in Arizona watching Royals in the Arizona Fall League and in instructionals. He took some great video of notable players like Bubba Starling, Elier Hernandez and Bryan Brickhouse, among others. You can also hear him discuss some of those players on the most recent Royalman Report.

So that’s what I’ve been looking at this hour. There will be more to come, I promise.

I’m both fascinated and disturbed by extreme couponing.

I’ve never tried it myself and other than one woman in my office and people on TV, I don’t know anybody who really does it either, but it still blows my mind how people will pile up case after case of canned and boiled tripe because they have a double coupon that will actually pay them fifty cents to purchase.

It’s a very savvy way to take advantage of the constraints of the system.  The store will allow a coupon on top of a sale? Make it happen! Preparation and savvy allow them to push cart after cart out of the store at a steep discount from what most anybody else would pay.

And it’s exactly the same in baseball in the way teams will construct their franchises.

Wait, what?

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Starling was the first position player selected in the 2011 amateur draft after gaining notoriety by being both a football and baseball star with tales of 500 foot homers and 300 yard rushing games.  He has scholarships at the University of Nebraska to play quarterback and the outfield, so if he passes up the Royals, he will be in Lincoln for the next three years before another team can select him.

The Royals are likely to offer Bubba, a Scott Boras client, anywhere from $7.5 to $10 million to sign.  Eric Hosmer’s $6 million figure in 2008 is the franchise record.

We discussed Bubba and the deadline on the Royalman Report last night and noted that big bonuses usually go down to the end, the next CBA and moving the date up to allow players to get on the field sooner.

But Bubba isn’t the only Royals pick in the spotlight today:

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