PCL1 Omaha Storm Chasers

Royals Name Minor League Pitchers and Players of the Year

Published on August 29, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release


KANSAS CITY, MO (August 29, 2008) - The Kansas City Royals have named their Minor League Pitchers and Players of the Year for their respective affiliates. The 16 players are expected to be at Kauffman Stadium for Futures' Night on Friday, Sept. 19, where they will take part in a Q&A and autograph session at Gate A as well as be honored in an on-field presentation prior to the Royals game against the White Sox.

OMAHA (AAA)

Right-handed pitcher Devon Lowery has been named the Omaha Pitcher of the Year. The 25-year old has been a stalwart in the Omaha bullpen this season, recording a 1-1 record with five saves and a 1.88 ERA in 30 appearances. A former starter, the Royals 14th round selection from the 2001 draft has held opponents to a .214 batting average. He began the season with Northwest Arkansas and posted a 0.69 ERA in nine outings before his promotion.

26-year old outfielder Mitch Maier is the Omaha Player of the Year. Playing center field for the O-Royals, Maier hit .316 (109-for-345) with 24 doubles, nine homers, 41 RBI, 57 runs and 12 stolen bases. The Royals first round pick (30th overall) in the 2003 draft was recalled by the Royals on July 24.

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS (AA)

21-year old Dan Cortes, recently named to the Texas League Post-Season All Star team, was named the Northwest Arkansas Pitcher of the Year. The 6-foot-6, 225-pounder, acquired from the White Sox on July 24, 2006, is 9-4 with a 3.98 ERA in 22 starts for the Naturals. The Pomona, Calif. native is 7-1 in his last 11 starts in anchoring the Naturals staff.

First baseman Kila Ka'aihue, 24, has burst onto the scene in 2008 and was rewarded by being named the Northwest Arkansas Player of the Year. The left-handed hitting and right-handed throwing native Hawaiian hit .314 (90-for-287) with a league-leading 26 home runs and 79 RBI in 91 games for the Naturals before being promoted to Omaha at the end of July. The Texas League Player of the Year has continued his tremendous season at Omaha, hitting .327 (32-for-98) with 10 homers in 29 games. Ka'aihue's 36 home runs are tied for the fourth-most in the entire minor leagues while he leads all minor leaguers with 101 walks. He has posted a .460 on-base percentage and .634 slugging combined in his two 2008 stops.

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