Royals Acquire Pitchers Collins and Chavez and Outfielder Blanco from Braves
Published on July 31, 2010 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
KANSAS CITY, MO (July 31, 2010) - The Kansas City Royals today have acquired left-handed pitcher Tim Collins, right-handed pitcher Jesse Chavez and outfielder Gregor Blanco in exchange for outfielder Rick Ankiel, right-handed pitcher Kyle Farnsworth and cash.
The 26-year old Blanco has spent parts of the past three seasons with the Braves, hitting a combined .252 (134-for-531) with 15 doubles, six triples, one home run, 42 RBI and 66 runs in 204 games. He also has 16 career stolen bases in 23 attempts. In his rookie season of 2008, the outfielder hit .251 and drew 74 walks in 144 games, ranking second among N.L. rookies with a .366 on-base percentage. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound left-handed hitter and thrower has played all three outfield positions in the Majors, spending most of his time in center field. Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Blanco current resides in Cua, Venezuela. He represented his native country in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, hitting .400 with a double, two triples and two RBI in six games.
Chavez, 26, has compiled a 3-2 record with a 5.89 ERA in 28 relief appearances for the Braves this season. He spent the 2008 and 2009 campaigns with the Pittsburgh Pirates, making a total of 88 outings in relief. The 6-foot-2, 170-pound right-hander is 4-7 with a 4.92 ERA in 116 career Major League appearances, all as a reliever. Originally a 42nd round pick of the Texas Rangers in 2002, the California native was acquired by the Rays in exchange for infielder Akinori Iwamura on November 3, 2009 and then by the Braves on December 9, 2009 for reliever Rafael Soriano.
The 20-year old Collins was acquired by the Braves on July 14 in the five-player deal that sent shortstop Yunel Escobar to the Toronto Blue Jays and shortstop Alex Gonzalez to the Braves. The 5-foot-7, 155-pound lefty has pitched exclusively at the Double-A level this season, combining to post a 1-0 record and a 2.29 ERA in 41 relief appearances. In 51.0 innings, the Worcester, Mass., native has allowed just 31 hits and 19 walks while striking out 87.
The 31-year old Ankiel, signed as a free agent on January 25, 2010, hit .261 with four home runs and 15 RBI in 27 games for the Royals.
Farnsworth, 34, is 3-0 with a 2.42 ERA in 37 relief appearances in 2010. The Royals signed him to a two-year contract on December 15, 2008.
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