Former Natural Kaaihue Earns Royals Treatment
Last updated Monday, September 1, 2008 9:31 PM CDT in Sports
By SPECIAL TO THE MORNING NEWS
KANSAS CITY -- Minor League slugging sensation Kila Ka'aihue will be spending September with the Kansas City Royals.
Ka'aihue, a first baseman, was among four players called up on Monday as the Major League rosters were expanded for the final month of the season. This will be his first exposure to the Majors.
Also promoted from Triple-A Omaha were first baseman Ryan Shealy and pitchers Yasuhiko Yabuta and Devon Lowery.
They will report for Tuesday night's game against the Oakland A's at Kauffman Stadium.
Earlier, pitchers Jimmy Gobble and John Bale were recalled from their rehabilitation assignments with Omaha.
Ka'aihue, from Honolulu, Hawaii, banged a total of 37 home runs this season for two teams. He also had a cumulative 100 RBIs and a .314 batting average.
"He's had a tremendous year and he's earned the opportunity to be promoted to the Major Leagues," general manager Dayton Moore said.
For the Omaha Royals, Ka'aihue batted .316 with 11 homers and 21 RBIs in 33 games. In Double-A, he hit .314 with 26 homers and 79 RBIs in 91 games for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals.
"He's very balanced, has a consistent approach and power in his swing," Moore said.
For both clubs combined, Ka'aihue drew 104 walks while striking out just 67 times.
"That's very promising for a young power hitter to have those kinds of traits," Moore said.
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thesportsgod wrote on Sep 2, 2008 8:35 AM: