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07-09-2018, 06:52 AM | #2506 |
Starter
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: flyover country
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I went back a few pages and didn't see this anywhere so I don't think its Q.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/royals-si...8801--spt.html KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kaito Yuki is headed to the Kansas City Royals organization instead of attending high school in Japan. The team signed Yuki, a 16-year-old pitcher, out of junior high to a minor league contract Sunday. He is thought to be the first Japanese junior high school player to sign with a major league club. "I wanted to play in the United States as soon as possible, rather than playing high school ball at Koshien Stadium (in Japan's iconic national championship)," Yuki said in statement issued by the Royals. Yuki is listed at 6-foot-2, 170 pounds and his fastball has been clocked at 87-88 mph. He was born on May 12, 2002. "My goal is to do well in the majors. Not everybody is given that chance, so I want to do my best," he said at a news conference in his hometown of Osaka. Yuki has been studying English before his move to the United States. The Royals are optimistic that after paperwork is completed, he will arrive in August at the team's spring training complex in Surprise, Arizona, to begin familiarizing himself with the local culture and language. He would participate in the Royals' fall instructional league in September and October, with the objective of making his professional debut in the minors next year. "The first thing is for him to be patient and build up his body, and then if he stays on course, in five years get an invite to major league spring training," said Hiroyuki Oya, a Royals international scout. Yuki has been compared to Chicago Cubs pitcher Yu Darvish, who grew up in the same city. "I'm anxious, but I am more excited now," Yuki said at his news conference in Japan. He garnered the attention of scouts last year while representing Japan in a youth tournament in the United States. "We are excited to add Kaito Yuki to our organization," said Rene Francisco, Royals vice president and assistant general manager of major league and international operations. "We are very much looking forward to seeing him get started in professional baseball next year. I'd like to thank and congratulate our Pacific Rim coordinator Phil Dale and our scout in Japan, Hiro Oya, for the tremendous work in identifying and signing this young man." Yuki is also believed to be the youngest player from Japan to sign with a big league team. "He's not even in high school," Francisco said. "He and his family chose to sign with Kansas City instead of going the normal route Japanese players take. It's pretty amazing what this kid is doing. Credit to Phil and Hiro." The Royals have had four Japanese players: pitchers Hideo Nomo, Mac Suzuki and Yasubiko Yubuta, and outfielder Nori Aoki. Aoki, acquired in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, was the most recent. He was a starter on the 2014 team that won the American League pennant and lost to the San Francisco Giants in the World Series. |
Posts: 478
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07-09-2018, 08:44 AM | #2507 |
Mahomes > God
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Clinton, MO
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Better not sign Heimlich now....
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Posts: 9,846
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07-09-2018, 08:59 AM | #2508 |
Stay positive, don't give up
Join Date: Dec 2001
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@ClintScoles: Payroll is going to be low enough when Whit gets expensive that you don't trade him without getting an excellent haul back. A return similar to the Herrera deal will not do.
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Posts: 46,185
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07-09-2018, 09:07 AM | #2509 | |
War Eagle !!!
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Mobile, AL 36608
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Quote:
The good thing about Whit being under control for so long, and he's inexpensive for several years, is they do not have to trade him now. They could wait for the off season. |
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Posts: 2,178
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07-09-2018, 09:52 AM | #2510 | |
Herm is the worst...horrible
Join Date: Sep 2000
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Posts: 2,014
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07-09-2018, 10:01 AM | #2511 | |
Beer Sherpa
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: shackled in a cellar
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Quote:
He makes this team a better team now, but I'm not convinced playing him 150 games a year will make us better when he's 32. |
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Posts: 1,727
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07-09-2018, 10:12 AM | #2512 |
Hockey Town
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
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Anyone who is thinking about giving Whit Merrifield an expensive contract when he's like 33 is a moron and shouldn't be commenting.
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Posts: 111,117
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07-09-2018, 10:28 AM | #2513 |
Be Kind To Your Pets
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Glorious Independence, MO
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Shake Shake Shake
Shake Shake Shake Shake Yubuta Shake Yubuta |
Posts: 40,843
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07-09-2018, 10:37 AM | #2514 |
#RIPAce
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: So Cal
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The baseball gods have literally blessed us with Whit Merrifield as an asset to move at just the right time.
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Posts: 17,326
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07-09-2018, 10:52 AM | #2515 |
War Eagle !!!
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Mobile, AL 36608
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With all the transactions / moves the Royals have made, who is the fifth starter?
Duffy Keller Fillmyer ( pitched for Junis ) Burch Smith ( taking hammel's spot ) Hammel to the bullpen Kennedy and Junis are on the disabled list. |
Posts: 2,178
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07-09-2018, 11:06 AM | #2516 |
In Search of a Life
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Kansas
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Posts: 21,801
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07-09-2018, 11:39 AM | #2517 |
In Search of a Life
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: L.A.
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Posts: 27,305
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07-09-2018, 11:40 AM | #2518 |
In Search of a Life
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: L.A.
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Posts: 27,305
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07-09-2018, 11:43 AM | #2519 | |
Wasted away again...
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: in Margaritaville
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Posts: 51,158
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07-09-2018, 12:04 PM | #2520 |
Mahomes Fanboi
Join Date: Apr 2004
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Just got done watching the '14/'15 Post season supercuts....
Esky was a freaking beast during that run. So many clutch moments. |
Posts: 19,487
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