Blue Rocks shortstop Orlando Calixte

Saturday night’s Wilmington Blue Rocks game was considered boring for the first eight innings. Well, boring for those who do not like pitcher’s duels. It got exciting quick in the bottom of the 9th inning when Cheslor Cuthbert led off the inning with a single off Lynchburg reliever Juan Jamie. He moved to second base on a wild pitch and Nick Van Stratten moved him to third base on a ground out. Van Stratten had squared to bunt but pulled back and slapped it up the middle.

The Hillcats elected to intentionally walk the next two batters to load the bases with one out. Luis Piterson hit into a force out (the out came at the plate), which brought up shortstop Orlando Calixte with two outs and the bases loaded.

The 2-2 pitch was VERY close. So close that the entire Lynchburg infield began exiting the field. The catcher triple-clutched his throw because he couldn’t believe the home plate umpire did not call the pitch a strike.

Anyway, with new life and a 3-2 pitch, Calixte took the fastball into left field, just out of reach of the diving left fielder for the game winner. While the Blue Rocks were celebrating and chasing Calixte around the field, the Hillcats coaching staff was going nuts at the umpire. I don’t blame them and I’m pretty sure any other coaching staff in baseball would have been freaking out (the pitch looked that good).

After the game, Calixte talked (through interpreter Angel Franco, the Blue Rocks utility fielder) about the game winning hit, facing a pitcher who throws so hard, how many game winning hits he has had in his career, and how he took that 2-2 pitch. He, like Pounders, was also pied in the face during the interview, but kept on going. Pounders was kind enough to wipe some of the shaving cream out of his face.

Following all the shaving cream pies, Blue Rocks manager Vance Wilson wanted to make sure he was facing the hallway just in case a pie was coming his way. He talked about the throws by Brett Eibner, the start from Pounders, his bullpen duo of Chase Boruff and Robinson Yambati, the defensive abilities of Lynchburg shortstop Nick Ahmed, and how well his team is finally playing with the playoffs about two weeks away.

Down 4-1 heading into the bottom of the 9th inning, the NW Arkansas Naturals made yet another comeback against Midland. On Thursday night however, they could not pull out the victory, as they lost 4-3. One day after making a pretty good Double-A debut, Whit Merrifield came to the plate with two outs and the winning run on second base. He could not come through, as he lined out to left field.

Mike Montgomery took the loss, as he again struggled. He lasted just 4.1 innings, as he allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out five. He threw 95 pitches.

Wilmington was once again battered by Winston-Salem, as they lost 9-2. For more on specifics of the game, check out my live blog. The pitching wasn’t great, the offense was pretty much non-existent, and the effort wasn’t there. That led to a closed door meeting following the game by manager Vance Wilson. He was not happy that when the team was down 5-2, the mood in the dugout was as if they were down 30-2.

Following that meeting, Wilson talked about his team’s play, the thought of making the playoffs, reliever Nick Rogers and his struggles, and Leondy Perez‘ third start since coming off the DL.

After my battery ran out, I asked Vance if he had any updates on some of the injured players. Reliever Cole White has been throwing bullpen sessions and is on his way back. Brett Eibner (who isn’t on the DL but hasn’t played lately) felt good today and should be back out on the field on Saturday. Outfielder Roman Hernandez, who has been out awhile, has no timetable for his return. He has been dealing with blurry vision that hasn’t improved. As Vance said, “it could be five days or five months.” They just have to wait and see.

After a scoring a run in the top of the 8th inning to tie the game, Kane County fell to Clinton 2-1 in ten innings. The loss negated the solid start by Jason Mitchell, who pitched five scoreless innings. He allowed four hits while striking out five.

It wasn’t a great game for the Cougars. They committed three errors and went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

Bubba Watch: Bubba Starling had the day off as Burlington beat Danville, 10-2.

Mike Montgomery (Photo Credit: Minda Haas)

Omaha was pounded by New Orleans, 12-1. Mike Montgomery took the loss, as he allowed 11 runs (four earned) on 11 hits over just 1.1 innings. He threw 54 pitches in the disastrous start.

The bullpen held the Zephyrs to one run on seven hits the rest of the way. In the middle, Louis Coleman threw two hitless innings of relief and struck out four. Twenty of his 27 pitches were strikes.

Newly-named Pacific Coast League All-Star Clint Robinson went 2-for-4 with two doubles and the lone RBI. Outfielder Wil Myers, along with pitchers Tommy Hottovy and Ryan Verdugo were also named to the PCL All-Star team.

Tonight was the Texas League All-Star Game and five NW Arkansas players got into the game. John Whittleman got the start at first base for the North and went 0-for-2. Carlo Testa got the start in left field and also went 0-for-2. Yem Prades played the whole game in right field and went 0-for-3. Those three batted 6-7-8 in the North’s order.

Mario Lisson, who replaced the injured Christian Colon on the ASG roster, went 1-for-2 at shortstop (he came off the bench in the 5th inning). Patrick Keating made an appearance in the 7th inning. He walked one in an inning of work.

The North beat the South 3-1. Former KC Royals minor leaguer Kevin Chapman, who was traded to Houston during spring training, pitched 1/3 of an inning. He allowed a hit in the 8th inning (to Lisson).

Wilmington launched a four-run 8th inning to come back and beat Lynchburg, 6-5. The tying run scored on a safety squeeze from Whit Merrifield (who went 3-for-3). The go ahead run scored via a throwing error on that same play. If you want to know more about the game, check out my live blog from the game. Jason Adam did not pick up a win, but thankfully did not pick up his tenth loss.

Blue Rocks manager Vance Wilson talked after the win about his newest players, the bunt by Merrifield, Adam’s struggles with the long ball, and the outings from relievers Nick Rogers and Sam Runion.

Kane County came back with two runs in the bottom of the 8th inning to defeat Burlington, 6-5. With two outs, Julio Aparicio singled in the two runs.

Bryan Brickhouse got the start for the Cougars, but allowed four runs on six hits and three walks over just four innings. Cody Fassold followed with three hitless innings of relief. He walked two and struck out four.

*Bubba Starling’s debut netted 644 fans in Johnson City. He started in centerfield, batted third, and went 0-for-5 with a walk, a run scored, and three strikeouts. He was taken out for defense in the final inning. Catcher Cameron Gallagher also returned to the lineup (he went 2-for-6)

Everett Teaford. Photo: Denny Medley-US PRESSWIRE

Omaha got the best of Round Rock and Major League veteran Roy Oswalt, 7-2. In his second start since signing with the Texas Rangers, Oswalt allowed five runs on six hits over four innings. All five runs came in the bottom of the 3rd inning, four coming on Wil Myers‘ grand slam (his 8th homerun in Triple-A).

It was a KC Royals rehab game on Thursday night. Everett Teaford started and allowed one run (on a solo homerun) over two innings. He allowed two hits while striking out two. Chris Getz led off and played second base. He went 1-for-2 with a run scored and a walk. Salvador Perez DH’ed and went 2-for-4, with a double and a strikeout.

Jake Odorizzi picked up the win, as he allowed just one run on five hits and two walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out ten (97 pitches, 68 for strikes). He did however leave the game with the bases loaded, but Tommy Hottovy threw just two pitches to escape and close out the victory.

NW Arkansas walked off against Arkansas, 6-5 in ten innings. With runners at second and third base and two outs, Yem Prades delivered the game winner, a ground ball to third base. He went 3-for-6 with two runs scored. The game headed to extra innings after the Travelers tied the game at 5-5 in the top of the 9th inning.

The game was tied at 4-4 after the 5th inning before the Naturals tied the game in the bottom of the 8th inning on a Rey Navarro RBI single. The Naturals had 13 hits, with Christian Colon and Paulo Orlando collecting two of them.

After Chris Dwyer struggled yet again (89 pitches over just four innings), Buddy Baumann came on in relief and did not allow a hit or walk over four scoreless innings.

(more…) ]]> http://kingsofkauffman.com/2012/06/07/royals-june-7th-minors-recap/feed/ 0 http://kingsofkauffman.com/2012/02/23/royals-sign-wait-what-aaron-guiel/ http://kingsofkauffman.com/2012/02/23/royals-sign-wait-what-aaron-guiel/#comments Fri, 24 Feb 2012 01:19:39 +0000 Michael Engel http://kingsofkauffman.com/?p=12287 If you’re looking through minor league transactions, you might find yourself with a quizzical look and a sense of surprise.

This afternoon, Twitter nearly fell apart at the seams upon the news that the Kansas City had signed former Royals outfielder Aaron Guiel.

Seriously. Baseball America reported it and everything.

Some Aaron Guiel facts:

• Guiel was born on October 5, 1972 – ten months before George Brett made his major league debut.
• Aaron Guiel hit 90 home runs in Japan after leaving the majors.
• Eric Hosmer was 12 years old when Aaron Guiel debuted with the Royals.

So why would the Royals sign an outfielder who turns 40 at the end of the year? My first thought was that they’d be bringing him in to fill in as an extra body for drills and such, similar to how players in the NFL are signed to fill out the practice squad or cover assignments. From there they could stash him within the organization similar to how they signed Vance Wilson in 2009 and kept him in Double A all year. Now he’s a rising star in the minor league managerial ranks.

Guiel announced his retirement last November. Sure, there’s a chance that he’s looking to make a comeback, but it would be a wild surprise if he was doing anything but coaching somewhere in the minors in 2012.

The Royals had also signed Devon Lowery in December after a year outside of baseball following years of injury-plagued seasons. HE spent last year coaching high school ball in North Carolina and will likely end up in the same boat as Guiel.

But if the Royals start signing Terrance Long, Mark Quinn and Mark Redman, you’ll have adequate cause to panic, as Allard Baird may have staged a coup.

Between March 16th and 21st, the team released 23 year old RHP-Jack Adams who pitched for the AZL Royals during 2009.  In 21.1 innings as a reliever he was 1-1 with a 1.69 ERA and 0.89 WHIP.  He struck out 21 while walking only 3.  Adams pitched for San Jose State University and was signed by the Royals as a non-drafted free agent last summer.  Also during this week, 2B-Scott Lyons and SS-Ben Tschepikow retired from baseball.  The Royals selected both University of Arkansas players in the 2009 draft.  Lyons was taken in the 15th and Tschepikow was selected in the 17th.  LA (Royals Revival) shared some thoughts on Ben and Scott a few weeks ago in an article titled Retiring Prospects.

Between March 22nd and 28th, the team released RHP-John Bannister (26), RHP-Pernell Halliman (23), LHP-Carlos Rivas (25), C/1B-Alberto Espinosa (23), and IF-Antonio Jimenez (22).  Bannister came to the Royals back on August 11th of last year when Dayton claimed him off waivers from the Texas Rangers.  After being acquired, he appeared in 8 games with NW Arkansas and had a 5.02 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 14.1 IP.  The Royals drafted Pernell Halliman in the 40th round of the 2008 draft out of Jackson State University.  He spent the 2009 season with the Idaho Falls Chukars and made 3 starts to go along with 12 relief appearances.  He finished the season with a 5.59 ERA, 1.78 WHIP, and 1.39 SO/BB.  Carlos Rivas was released by the Atlanta Braves in May of last year and landed with the Royals in High-A Wilmington.  In 20.2 IP with the Blue Rocks he had a 1.74 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 2.11 SO/BB.  Another 2008 draft pick, Alberto Espinosa was selected by the Royals in the 15th round out of Broward CC.  He spent the 2009 season repeating rookie ball in Idaho Falls and hit 0.271/.355/.384 in 203 at bats.  Antonio Jimenez signed with the Royals out of the Dominican Republic in 2005.  Last season, he hit 0.205/.223/.295 in 220 at bats split between low and high A.

During that same week, the Royals signed RHP-Rodolfo Encarnacion (23) and OF-Brawlun Gomez.  Encarnacion has been pitching in the Marlins organization since 2006 and has a career 3.13 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, and 1.86 SO/BB.  He pairs his career 10.6 SO/9 with a 5.7 BB/9.  I couldn’t find any information anywhere about Gomez.

RHP-Bryan Bullington (29) was reassigned to the minor league camp on March 28th and is now with the Omaha Royals.  Of all the guys signed to minor league contracts this offseason, Bullington was the one I thought had a chance to break through and land a job in the Royals bullpen on opening day.  He didn’t pitch very well during spring training, so this move didn’t come as a surprise.  There is still plenty of time for Bryan to make an impact on the major league roster, but it appears I was a little too bullish on Bullington.  Based on the early season performance of the bullpen in Kansas City, a couple guys might get major league looks by the All-Star break.  Then again, the Royals bullpen was pretty terrible last season and they did very little about it until September.

Also on March 28th, the Royals traded C-Steven Lerud (25) to the Baltimore Orioles for a player to be named later.  He was a 3rd round pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2003 draft and spent his entire professional career with them until this offseason when he came to the Royals as a minor league free agent.  The Orioles have since assigned him to Triple-A Norfolk.

March 31st was the first day that some bigger names were moved out of the Royals major league camp.  RHP-Blake Wood (24) and 1B/DH-Kila Ka’aihue (26) were both optioned to Triple-A.  The Omaha Royals played their opener last night and if the first game is any indication, it looks like Kila is on a mission to force Dayton Moore’s hand.  In five at bats he had a walk, single, home run, and two strikeouts.  There are a lot of reasons to believe Kila should be on the major league roster right now.  In fact in our KoK season preview, Jon had him slotted as the team’s starting DH.  I didn’t fit him into my preferred starting lineup, but I did have him as the primary bat coming off the bench.  Blake Wood is in a similar boat as Kila.  Though Blake doesn’t have the $12 million salary of Jose Guillen in his way, the contracts of Farnsworth and Cruz aren’t much better.  Wood also has to deal with the organizations unrequited love for Roman Colon.  I wanted Wood and Carlos Rosa to open the season in the bullpen over Colon and Mendoza.  Based on early returns, there is a good chance I will get my wish later in the season.

Wait, there’s more that went down on March 31st.  That was the day the Royals offered 22-year old Rule-5 lefty Edgar Osuna back to the Braves.  Atlanta declined to take Osuna back, he cleared waivers, and the Royals assigned him outright to Double-A NW Arkansas.  He provides the organization with another young lefty and while he doesn’t have the upside of some of the other prospects, I don’t think things could have turned out better for the Royals or the organization.  He gets to continue his development in AA and Kansas City doesn’t have to keep him on the 40-man roster.

On April 1st, 37-year old C-Vance Wilson retired.  He leaves his playing days behind after appearing in 635 games in the minors and another 403 in the majors.

With a spot open on the 40-man burning a hole in his pocket, Dayton Moore inexplicably acquired RHP-Luis Mendoza (26) from the Texas Rangers for cash considerations.  The April 2nd trade earned Luis a spot in the Royals bullpen and allowed him to join in on the implosion party.  In 1.2 innings thus far he has a 27.00 ERA, 3.00 WHIP, and does not look like he belongs in the major leagues.  This should not come as a surprise to anyone considering his ERA in the minors hasn’t been below 3.90 since he was in A-ball back in 2004.  Overall, in 8 minor league season he has a 4.58 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, and 1.73 SO/BB.  In the upper levels of the minors he’s been very hittable with a subpar SO/BB.  Carlos Rosa (who obviously wronged someone in the front office based on their treatment of him) and Blake Wood had to have muttered a few WTFs upon hearing the news of the Mendoza acquisition.

Waiting until the 11th hour, the Royals reassigned a large group of players to minor league camp on April 3rd.  C-Edwin Bellorin (28), INF-Wilson Betemit (28), INF-Irving Falu (26), OF-Scott Thorman (28), LHP-Bruce Chen (32), RHP-Matt Herges (40), and RHP-Brad Thompson (28).  All seven were assigned to the Omaha Royals.

Also on the 3rd, the Royals placed 3B-Alex Gordon, RHP-Gil Meche, and 3B-Josh Fields on the 15-day DL.  Gordon and Meche were backdated to March 26th so both players are eligible to come off the disabled list on April 10th.  We know that Meche is scheduled to start for the Royals on Sunday the 11th while Gordon started his rehab assignment yesterday with the Wilmington Blue Rocks and went 1-2 with a walk.

On April 4th LHP-John Parrish claimed the last bullpen spot on the major league roster.  As a result, RHP-Anthony Lerew (27) was designated for assignment.  He cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Omaha.

Also during this last week, according to Baseball America, the Royals released RHP-Jason Godin (25), RHP-Matt Kniginyzky (27), RHP-Ryan Morgan (23), RHP-Zach Peterson (25), RHP-Brett Richardson (22), RHP-Francisco Rosario (29), LHP-Gilbert de la Vara (25), LHP-Nelson Payano (27), and OF-Eric Shortell (23).  Godin, the Royals 5th round selection in the 2006 draft, pitched in Wilmington, NW Arkansas, and Omaha during the 2009 season.  He has a career 4.09 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 1.78 SO/BB in 4 seasons and 275.0 innings pitched.  Kniginyzky was drafted by the Royals in the 23rd round of the 2005 draft and spent the 2009 season in the Naturals rotation.  He finished the year with a 5.48 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, and 1.19 SO/BB.  Morgan was the Royals 26th round pick in the 2008 draft and spent his two professional seasons pitching for Idaho Falls.  In 66.1 career innings he has a 6.11 ERA, 2.01 WHIP, and 1.57 SO/BB.  Peterson, who was born in St. Paul, Minnesota pitched for the Bees and Blue Rocks last season.  Between the two stops he had a 2.91 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 1.89 SO/BB in 77.1 innings pitched.  He was signed as a non-drafted free agent in June of 2007.  Richardson was Kansas City’s 34th round pick in the 2008 draft.  Last season he pitched in Rookie ball for the Burlington Royals and finished with a 3.96 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 3.00 SO/BB in 25.0 IP.  Rosario originally signed a minor league contract with the Royals back in December and was assigned to Omaha just a few weeks ago.  De la Vara was the Royals 15th round pick in the 2004 draft and was selected by the Astros in the Rule-5 draft last year.  Houston returned him at the end of spring training and the Royals sent him to Double-A where he struggled with a 5.74 ERA, 1.71 WHIP, and 1.48 SO/BB in 64.1 IP.  He also got 7.0 innings of work for the O-Royals.  Payano signed a minor league contract with the Royals back in December after he spent 2009 pitching in Japan.  Shortell signed with the Royals as a non-drafted free agent on February 2nd, 2009.  He hit 0.214/.353/.214 in 14 at bats for the AZL Royals.

Phew, now I’m caught up.

(Wally Fish is the lead writer for Kings of Kauffman and Call to the Pen.  He is also FanSided’s MLB Director.  Subscribe to his RSS feed and add him on Twitter to follow him daily.)