CarL1 Wilmington Blue Rocks

Host Of Former Blue Rocks Crack Royals' Top 30 Prospects

Published on February 12, 2008 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Wilmington Blue Rocks News Release


Wilmington, DE - In their recently published 2008 Prospect Handbook, Baseball America has rated 13 former Wilmington Blue Rocks players among the top 30 Kansas City Royals prospects for the upcoming season. Right-handed starter Daniel Cortes, who pitched all of last season on the Riverfront, leads the impressive brigade of young talent as the top-rated pitcher and No. 2 overall prospect in the Kansas City organization. Shortstop Mike Moustakas, the second overall player selected in last June's entry draft, has been tabbed as K.C.'s top minor league chip, per the publication.

Cortes, who is likely to begin 2008 at Double-A Northwest Arkansas, dazzled the Carolina League a season ago with eight victories and a 3.07 ERA in 24 starts. He fanned 120 batters in 123 innings, while walking just 45.

The 20-year-old phenom is one of nine players from last year's Blue Rocks squad to make the prospect list for 2008. Joining Cortes are fellow right-handed hurlers Blake Wood (No. 5), Carlos Rosa (7), Julio Pimentel (8) and Blake Johnson (14), along with crafty southpaw Rowdy Hardy (30). Slick-fielding shortstop Chris McConnell (24) and speedy outfielders Derrick Robinson (11) and Jose Duarte (25) round out the list.

Additionally, right-hander Ryan Braun (15), lefty Dusty Hughes (28), infielder Mike Aviles (29) and outfielder Mitch Maier (23) comprise the corps of Blue Rocks from earlier this decade to earn Baseball America's recognition. Braun and Aviles spent all of 2004 in Wilmington, while Hughes and Maier began the '04 season at Low-A Burlington before their respective Riverfront promotions.

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Carolina League Stories from February 12, 2008


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