Royals in the Fall -- Nov. 14 update

NOTE: Anybody take notice that SP Dan Christensen was sent to Detroit Wednesday as the PTBNL in I assume the Roman Colon trade? Hope he pitches as well for the Tigres as he did in the Royals' farm system.


Hawaii -- West Oahu Canefires: The Canefires are 12-20 and eliminated from the HWB West race with play entering the final weekend.

IF Jeff Bianchi
last update (11/7) -- .290/.347/.709, 3 2B, 1 3B, 12 RS (still tied team lead), 3 RBI, 6 BB/20 K, 5/5 SB, 1 GIDP in 17 games (69 AB)
now -- .284/.338/.702, 4 2B, 13 RS, no other changes in 18 games (74 AB)
-- got one more game in over the week and lowered his numbers but added a double and RS....kinda wonder what's cut into his PT....he might just be tired as he's had the heaviest workload of his pro career in '07.

P Tyler Chambliss
last update -- 1-1, 1 hold, 1 for 3 in saves, 7.50 ERA, 1.83 WHIP, 10 BB/18 K, .295 OAV, 2 HRA in 9 games and 18 IP of relief
now -- no change
-- gotten the week off.

P Blake Wood
last update -- 0-1, 3.38 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 13 BB/38 K, .258 OAV in 6 starts and 24 IP
now -- 1-1, 3.54 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 16 BB/45 K, .245 OAV in 7 starts and 28 IP
-- K rate continues to increase, even though K/BB suffered a little over the week....still in good shape, tho....figure Blake will start '08 in Wilmington in A-ball....would like to see his WHIP improve.

Arizona -- Surprise Rafters: The Rafters are 18-12 with the AFL season wrapping Thursday. (Team USA guys were taken off this week as they are in play in Taiwan)

2B Marc Maddox
last update -- .389/.452/1.063, 4 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 7 BB/10 K, 1/3 SB, 3 E in 14 G (54 AB)
now -- .356/.429/.963, 5 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 10 BB/13 K, 2/4 SB, 3 E in 19 G (73 AB)
-- numbers continue to dip from spectacular to great...no matter how the last couple games go, he's made a name for himself this fall....should be in AA to start '08.

OF Chris Lubanski
last update -- .209/.280/.668, 3 2B, 3 3B, HR, 12 RBI, 7 BB/14 K, 10 RS, 3 E in 18 G (67 AB)
now -- .198/.267/.686, 3 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 8 BB/21 K, 12 RS, 3 E in 22 G (81 AB)
-- over the last couple years I've gone from excited about Lubanski's future to pretty damn disappointed....that feeling isn't changing.

1B Kila Kaaihue
last update -- .244/.414/.836, 2 2B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 13 BB/12 K, 8 RS, 0 E in 13 G (45 AB)
now -- .215/.373/.773, 3 2B, 3 HR, 14 RBI, 17 BB/18 K, 2 E in 19 G (65 AB)
-- numbers still sagging....Ks have caught up with BBs....also not Kila's best defensive week.

OF Jose Duarte
last update -- .185/.281/.466, 4 RBI, 6 RS, 4 BB/9 K, 2/2 SB in 8 G (27 AB)
now -- .154/.244/.398, 4 RBI, 5 BB/12 K, 2/3 SB in 11 G (39 AB)
--as a reminder, Duarte's designated to play only on weekends....not much to remark about for Duarte over the week.

P Dusty Hughes
last update -- 1-0, 1.20 ERA, 0.73 WHIP, 2 BB/11 K, 1 HRA in 4 starts and 15 IP
now -- 1-0, 2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 8 BB/17 K in 6 starts and 22 IP
-- 6 BB and 6 K in 2 games over the week didn't help his K/BB ratio....may be tiring after long year of work....wonder if he'll see AAA to start '08.

P Tyler Lumsden
last update -- 1-0, 4.91 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 4 BB/11 K, 2 HRA in 6 games and 11 IP of relief
now -- 1-0, 6.00 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 5 BB/11 K in 7 G (12 IP relief)
-- yo-yo numbers....still waiting to see consistency out of Tyler.

P Nate Hoelscher
last update -- 1-0, 2.25 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, BB/7 K, in 8 G and 8 IP of relief
now -- 1-0, 1.80 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, BB/10 K, 2 holds, 1 save in 9 G and 10 IP of relief
-- solid work out of Nate.

P Devon Lowery
last update -- 0-0, 2.25 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, 2 holds, 2 BB/3 K, HRA in 4 G and 4 IP of relief
now -- 0-0, 3.60 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 3 BB/4 K, 2 HRA in 5 G and 5 IP of relief
-- gave up another dinger.


Dominican Winter League -- various teams: I'm not gonna do full rundowns on each guy, but several Royals are playing in the Dominican this offseason

Billy Butler is batting .234 with a .308 OBP, 3 2B and 5 RBI with 5 BB and 11 Ks in 13 games for the Azucareros del Este, while Angel Berroa is hitting .286 with a .339 OBP, 1 HR and 8 RBI with 4 walks and 9 Ks in 16 games, so need I note again that that comparison makes me kinda nauseated? On the same team, Kyle Davies is 1-1 with a 3.22 ERA and .207 OAV, 8 BB and 19 Ks in 5 games and 22 1/3 IP. Nice K rate and OAV, at least. Julio Pimentel is still 0-1 with a 5.41 ERA but a .167 OAV, 4 BB and 2 Ks in 3 games and 3 1/3 IP.

Matt Tupman is hitting .280 with a .280 OBP, 3 2B, 5 RBI and 5 K in 17 games for the Tigres del Licey.

Mitch Maier is hitting .295 with a .348 OBP, 2 2B, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 4 BB/11 K in 17 games for the Gigantes del Cibao.

Venezuelan Winter League -- various teams:

Andres Blanco is hitting .241/.290/.601 OPS with 2 BB/7 K and an E through 10 games (29 AB) with the Aguilas de Zulia.

P Yovany D'Amico is 1-1 with a 4.24 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 5 BB/9 K in 9 G and 17 IP (1 start) for the Cardenales de Lara.

The Leones del Caracas have several Royals farmhands on hand as IF Luis Castillo's numbers haven't changed -- he's hitting .229 with a .552 OPS, 3 2B and 2 RBI with 4 E in 15 games; IF Mario Lisson is hitting .253 with an .876 OPS, 4 2B, 3B, 7 HR, 15 RS, 15 RBI (still leads team), 8 BB and 18 K with 6 E in 25 games; P Rayner Oliveros is 0-0 with a 3.18 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 2 BB/12 K in 5 G and 11 1/3 IP of relief (no change from last week); and P Jarod Plummer is 1-1 with 2 saves, a 6.00 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 3 BB/7 K in 9 G and 9 IP of relief (also no change from last week).

And Mike Aviles is hitting .311 with an .877 OPS, 19 RS, 7 2B, a triple, 4 HR and 15 RBI with 9 BB and 17 Ks along with 3 E in 27 games to lead the Tigres de Aragua. Leads the team in several offensive categories.

Royals in the Fall -- Nov. 7 update

Hawaii -- West Oahu Canefires: The Canefires are 8-19.

IF Jeff Bianchi
last update (10/31) -- .290/.347/.709, 3 2B, 1 3B, 12 RS (still tied team lead), 3 RBI, 6 BB/20 K, 5/5 SB, 1 GIDP in 17 games (69 AB)
now -- no change
-- no notes on any injury for Jeff but it wouldn't exactly be a surprise if he sat out a few games with his track record.

P Tyler Chambliss
last update -- 1-1, 1 hold, 1 for 2 in saves, 5.09 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 8 BB/18 K, .260 OAV, 2 HRA in 8 games and 17 2/3 IP of relief
now -- changes are he is now 1 for 3 in saves with a 7.50 ERA, 1.83 WHIP, 10 BB/18 K, .295 OAV in 9 games and 18 IP of relief
-- another bad outing for Tyler made his numbers a step uglier than when last we checked....he still has time to turn it around and finish strong, if he can.

P Blake Wood
last update -- 0-1, 0 for 1 in saves, 4.26 ERA, 1.84 WHIP, 11 BB/32 K, .300 OAV, 1 HRA in 5 starts and 19 IP
now -- 0-1, 3.38 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 13 BB/38 K, .258 OAV in 6 starts and 24 IP
-- strikeout onslaught continues as he remains second in the league....good start recently greatly cut his WHIP, ERA and OAV.... K/BB has remained steady, which is a good sign.

Arizona -- Surprise Rafters: The Rafters are 15-9 and have the best record in the AFL.

2B Marc Maddox
last update -- .417/.476/1.087 OPS, 2 2B, 3B, HR, 8 RBI, 5 BB/9 K, 1/3 SB, 1 E in 10 G (36 AB)
now -- .389/.452/1.063, 4 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 7 BB/10 K, 1/3 SB, 3 E in 14 G (54 AB)
-- not a sparkling defensive week for Marc but he is keeping up the offensive wattage....still leads team in hits and is second in total bases....one of six guys in AFL with over 1.000 OPS, so may be skyrocketing his prospect stock.

OF Chris Lubanski
last update -- .208/.291/.645, 2 2B, 3B, HR, 9 RBI, 6 BB/7 K, 8 RS, 3 E in 13 G (48 AB)
now -- .209/.280/.668, 3 2B, 3 3B, HR, 12 RBI, 7 BB/14 K, 10 RS, 3 E in 18 G (67 AB)
-- numbers held fairly steady, as a week including a couple triples and a double boosted his slugging percentage and, therefore, his OPS, despite 1 walk and 7 Ks over the week....no errors in 5 games, which is good.

1B Kila Kaaihue
last update -- .273/.455/.970, 2 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 11 BB/9 K, 7 RS, 0 E in 10 G (33 AB)
now -- .244/.414/.836, 2 2B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 13 BB/12 K, 8 RS, 0 E in 13 G (45 AB)
-- OBP still very healthy but SLG slipped over the week....if he could keep up the on-base numbers, that would be a great addition to his repertoire.

OF Jose Duarte
last update -- .150/.250/.400, 3 RBI, 4 RS, 3 BB/6 K, 1/1 SB in 6 G (20 AB)
now -- .185/.281/.466, 4 RBI, 6 RS, 4 BB/9 K, 2/2 SB in 8 G (27 AB)
--as a reminder, Duarte's designated to play only on weekends....picked it up a little more this week, although it's probably hard to do so in limited action.

P Dusty Hughes
last update -- 1-0, 1.64 ERA, 0.55 WHIP, 1 BB/7 K, 1 HRA in 3 starts and 11 IP
now -- 1-0, 1.20 ERA, 0.73 WHIP, 2 BB/11 K, 1 HRA in 4 starts and 15 IP
-- another solid start out of Dusty has his numbers looking very good....we'll see if he hits AAA to start '08.

P Tyler Lumsden
last update -- 1-0, 4.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 3 BB/10 K, 2 HRA in 5 games and 9 IP of relief
now -- 1-0, 4.91 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 4 BB/11 K, 2 HRA in 6 games and 11 IP of relief
-- poor outing inflated numbers back up somewhat....still decent peripherals, altho AFL site doesn't offer OAV in stats.

P Nate Hoelscher
last update -- 1-0, 1 save, 1 hold, 1.50 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, BB/4 K, 0 HRA in 6 G and 6 IP of relief
now -- 1-0, 2.25 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, BB/7 K, in 8 G and 8 IP of relief
-- ERA rose some but WHIP and BB/K are still healthy.

P Greg Atencio
last update -- 0-0, 27.00 ERA, 4.00 WHIP, 3 BB/0 K, HRA in 1 G and 1 IP of relief
now -- no change
-- as noted in last week's comments (thanks Keith), Atencio was replaced by Lowery on the roster and is done until spring.

P Devon Lowery
last update -- 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.50 WHIP, hold, BB/2 K in 2 G and 2 IP of relief
now -- 0-0, 2.25 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, 2 holds, 2 BB/3 K, HRA in 4 G and 4 IP of relief
-- gave up his first ER and HR but picked up another hold over the week.

AFL -- Team USA: 4-2 in tune up for international tourney in Taiwan

P Matt Wright
last update -- 0-0, 3.86 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, BB/2 K, HRA in 2 starts and 7 IP
now -- no change

P Neal Musser
last update -- 1-0, 3.38 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, BB/3 K in 3 games and 2 2/3 IP of relief
now -- 1-0, 1 save, 2.45 ERA, 0.55 WHIP, BB/3 K in 4 games and 3 2/3 IP of relief
-- picked up a save in a scoreless IP.

Dominican Winter League -- various teams: I'm not gonna do full rundowns on each guy, but several Royals are playing in the Dominican this offseason

Billy Butler is batting .256 with a .333 OBP, 3 2B and 5 RBI with 5 BB and 9 Ks in 12 games for the Azucareros del Este, while Angel Berroa is hitting .286 with a .348 OBP, 1 HR and 4 RBI with 3 walks and 6 Ks in 12 games, so Butler isn't exactly raking in the Dominican. On the same team, Kyle Davies is 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA and .174 OAV, 4 BB and 10 Ks in 3 games and 13 IP. Julio Pimentel's stats didn't change at 0-1 with a 7.73 ERA but a .222 OAV, 3 BB and 2 Ks in 2 games and 2 1/3 IP.

Matt Tupman is hitting .194 with a .194 OBP, 2B, 2 RBI and 4 K in 12 games for the Tigres del Licey.

Mitch Maier is hitting .225 with a .311 OBP, 2B, HR, 6 RBI, 4 BB/6 K in 12 games for the Gigantes del Cibao.

Venezuelan Winter League -- various teams:

Andres Blanco is hitting .429 through 3 games with the Aguilas de Zulia. It wouldn't surprise me if he's injured.

P Yovany D'Amico is 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 4 BB/7 K in 8 G and 12 relief IP for the Cardenales de Lara.

The Leones del Caracas have several Royals farmhands on hand as IF Luis Castillo is hitting .229 with a .552 OPS, 3 2B and 2 RBI with 4 E in 15 games; IF Mario Lisson is hitting .268 with an .892 OPS, 4 2B, 5 HR, 13 RBI (leads team), 7 BB and 12 K with 5 E in 21 games; P Rayner Oliveros is 0-0 with a 3.18 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 2 BB/12 K in 5 G and 11 1/3 IP of relief; and P Jarod Plummer is 1-1 with 2 saves, a 6.00 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 3 BB/7 K in 9 G and 9 IP of relief.

And Mike Aviles is hitting .354 with a 1.029 OPS, 17 RS, 7 2B, a triple, 4 HR and 13 RBI with 8 BB and 10 Ks along with 2 E in 21 games to lead the Tigres de Aragua. Nice to see Mike hitting that well in Venezuela.