It wasn't long ago that Kila Ka'aihue seemed like a promising piece of the Royals' future. But the Hawaiian first baseman doesn't appear to fit into their long-term plans any more, despite the career minor league on-base percentage of .390 that has endeared him to the statistically minded. Kansas City designated the 27-year-old for assignment to create 40-man roster space for right-handed reliever Kelvin Herrera, according to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star.
Ka'aihue has excelled in ten minor league seasons, posting a career line of .266/.390/.458 that includes a .272/.379/.433 line this year in his fourth stint at Triple-A. The 2002 draft pick has had some opportunities against Major League pitching, but has just a .216/.309/.375 line in 326 MLB plate appearances.
Though Ka'aihue has admittedly poor stats in the Major Leagues, he also appears to have been unlucky on balls in play (.242 BABIP). It won't be surprising if a small market team without a long-term answer at first base claims Ka'aihue or works out a trade for him (the Rays have an open 40-man spot; the Pirates don't).
Somebdy will give him a chance.
You’re right, but they are acquiring a career AAA player. Maybe some team gets lucky but most likely, they are getting a 1B who will put up good numbers in AAA and won’t be a factor in the big leagues.
Ppl said the same thing about Bautista, I’m sure.
Hopefully the mariners
Giving up on Smoak?
He can always be a DH. Plain and simple, the M’s need power and OBP and KK might be able to give them both if he figures things out.
what about the brewers? they will more than likely have an opening at firstbase next year
Gamel is probably better
I didn’t think he was that old to be honest.
Me either.
Your telling me this guy started in the minors at the age of 17!
How about the A’s? They don’t seem to have any answers at 1b
barton?
You’re joking right?????
Yeah Beane gets nocturnal emissions when it comes to high OBP, lets see if he picks up Kila.
At best .240 25 hrs or so and .340 obp not bad id take a chance.
Kila is definitely a fit in Oakland
So many possible fits… A little surprised to see him DFA’d. Could be a gift for someone.
The guy is a stiff. Period.
I could see the Jays taking a look.
Orioles.
Hilarious that any of you think this guy is ‘worth a look’. Maybe if he plays for free or cleans the clubhouse after games. He has a slow bat and is completely baffled by ML pitching. He makes Mike Jacobs look like an All Star. Not a surprise he was DFA’d – good riddance.
Otis, how can you make a final determination on a hitter who’s done well in triple-A but never started more than two full weeks in the majors? I can accept he might not be ready to take a starting job in KC considering Hosmer looks like the real deal. But never starting more than 14 games in a row and racking up less than 300 ML ABs is way too small of a sample to call it a day on a guy.
How is no one going to make mention he is a perfect candidate for Andrew Friedman and co? This man better be in a damn Ray uniform in ST next year, regardless of if the Magic of Kotch walks away or resigns.