Over the last few days there have been several press releases sent to the I-70 desk from the Kansas City Royals. They are summarized in the following. – Bill
ROYALS ACQUIRE PITCHER ETHAN HOLLINGSWORTH FROM OAKLAND FOR KILA KA’AIHUE
KANSAS CITY, MO (September 27, 2011) – The Kansas City Royals announced today that the club has acquired minor league right-handed pitcher Ethan Hollingsworth from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for first baseman Kila Ka’aihue. Hollingsworth was assigned to the Omaha (AAA) Storm Chasers roster.
The 24-year-old Hollingsworth spent a majority of the 2011 season with Midland (AA) in the Texas League, compiling a 6-5 record with a 3.61 ERA in 17 appearances, including 16 starts. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder also made a pair of late season starts with Triple-A Sacramento and one relief appearance in the Pacific Coast League playoffs. Born and raised in Joliet, Ill., Hollingsworth, whose first name is Phillip but goes by his middle name Ethan, was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the fourth round of the 2008 Draft out of Western Michigan University. He was traded to Oakland for pitcher Clayton Mortensen on January 24, 2011.
Ka’aihue, 27, opened the season as the Royals starting first baseman and hit .195 (16-for-82) with two home runs in 23 games before being optioned to Omaha (AAA). He spent the remainder of the season with the Storm Chasers and was designated for assignment by the Royals on September 21.
ROYALS NAME RICK KNAPP MINOR LEAGUE PITCHING COORDINATOR
KANSAS CITY, MO (September 28, 2011) – The Kansas City Royals announced today that the club has named Rick Knapp as the minor league pitching coordinator.
Knapp served as the Detroit Tigers pitching coach for the past three seasons before being relieved of his duties on July 3 of this year. Prior to joining the Tigers organization, Knapp spent 12 seasons as the minor league pitching coordinator with the Minnesota Twins from 1997-2008. A resident of Port Charlotte, Fla., Knapp pitched for five seasons for the Texas Rangers at the minor league level before beginning his coaching career in 1988.
Mark Davis will remain in the organization as a pitching coach.
ROYALS ANNOUNCE BENCH COACH GIBBONS AND PITCHING COACH MCCLURE WILL NOT RETURN IN 2012
KANSAS CITY, MO (September 29, 2011) – The Kansas City Royals and Manager Ned Yost announced today that bench coach John Gibbons and pitching coach Bob McClure will not return for the 2012 season. The remainder of the coaching staff: hitting coach Kevin Seitzer, first base coachDoug Sisson, third base coach Eddie Rodriguez and bullpen coach Steve Foster will be back for next season.
The Royals plan to hire a bench coach and a pitching coach as a later date.
ROYALS NAME CHINO CADAHIA BENCH COACH
KANSAS CITY, MO (September 30, 2011) – The Kansas City Royals announced today that the club has named Chino Cadahia as the Major League bench coach.
“Chino brings enthusiasm and a great amount of experience as a catching instructor and communicator as well as four years working with Bobby Cox as the bench coach in Atlanta,” Royals General Manager Dayton Moore said. “He will be a huge asset to Ned and the entire organization.”
Cadahia joined the Royals in 2011 as a special assistant to player development after 15 seasons in the Braves organization, including the 2007-2010 season’s serving as the Major League bench coach with manager Bobby Cox.
Born in Havana, Cuba, Cadahia currently resides in Peachtree City, Ga., with his wife, Lynn, and daughter, Lauren.
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