Kila Ka’aihue Sent to A’s For Ethan Hollingsworth

Kila Ka’aihue is a big, slugging first baseman who isn’t much of a defender and won’t steal bases. He’s notorious for his ability to take a walk throughout his minor league career.

If you’ve read Moneyball, he’s a Billy Beane kind of player, and now, Beane can have him. The Royals received minor leaguer Ethan Hollingsworth for him in a trade this afternoon after Kila was designated for assignment last week.

The Royals did well to get anything for a player they had no spot for any longer.

Rather than wait for the Royals to release him, the A’s sent Hollingsworth, a fourth round pick in 2008 by Colorado, to Kansas City. He spent time in Double A and Triple A in 2011, with a 3.76 ERA over 105.1 innings. He made two starts in Triple A, allowing six runs in 10.2 innings.

Overall, his numbers in the minors look good. A 6’2″ 200 pound righty, Hollingsworth has a career 7.9 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9 over 481.1 innings. He’s been prone to getting hit, though. Despite a good walkrate, he’s given up 540 hits as a pro, leaving him with a 1.361 WHIP.

Year	Age	Tm	Lev	W	L	ERA	G	IP	BB	SO	WHIP	H/9	HR/9	BB/9	K/9	K/BB
2008	21	Casper	Rk	4	7	6.10	14	59.0	16	55	1.627	12.2	1.1	2.4	8.4	3.44
2009	22	2 Teams		8	9	4.37	27	146.1	34	132	1.353	10.1	0.7	2.1	8.1	3.88
2009	22	Asheville	A	5	6	4.05	16	86.2	18	76	1.212	9.0	0.9	1.9	7.9	4.22
2009	22	Modesto	A+	3	3	4.83	11	59.2	16	56	1.559	11.6	0.5	2.4	8.4	3.50
2010	23	2 Teams		12	8	3.69	27	170.2	38	162	1.254	9.3	0.8	2.0	8.5	4.26
2010	23	Modesto	A+	12	8	3.31	25	160.1	34	153	1.216	9.0	0.8	1.9	8.6	4.50
2010	23	Tulsa	AA	0	0	9.58	2	10.1	4	9	1.839	13.1	1.7	3.5	7.8	2.25
2011	24	2 Teams		7	5	3.76	19	105.1	27	73	1.396	10.3	0.9	2.3	6.2	2.70
2011	24	Midland	AA	6	5	3.61	17	94.2	23	66	1.373	10.2	0.8	2.2	6.3	2.87
2011	24	Sacramento	AAA	1	0	5.06	2	10.2	4	7	1.594	11.0	1.7	3.4	5.9	1.75
4 Seasons		31	29	4.21	87	481.1	115	422	1.361	10.1	0.8	2.2	7.9	3.67
AA (2 seasons)	AA	6	5	4.20	19	105.0	27	75	1.419	10.5	0.9	2.3	6.4	2.78
A+ (2 seasons)	A+	15	11	3.72	36	220.0	50	209	1.309	9.7	0.7	2.0	8.6	4.18
A (1 season)	A	5	6	4.05	16	86.2	18	76	1.212	9.0	0.9	1.9	7.9	4.22
Rk (1 season)	Rk	4	7	6.10	14	59.0	16	55	1.627	12.2	1.1	2.4	8.4	3.44
AAA (1 season)	AAA	1	0	5.06	2	10.2	4	7	1.594	11.0	1.7	3.4	5.9	1.75

Scouting reports credit Hollingsworth with average stuff, but good command. Clint Scoles from Pinetar Press reports that he has a sinking fastball in the 89-91 mph range and “fringy” breaking stuff. Hollingsworth will be assigned to Omaha, and will likely spend all year there as depth.

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