Game #50: Preview

The Zs have won six of their last eight against the worst team in the PCL (Portland) and one of the best ones (Oklahoma City); tonight they open a four-game set against the formidable Omaha Royals.

Who's Interesting For Omaha
This is Kansas City's AAA affiliate we're talking about, so it stands to reason that they'd be loaded with young talent. Philip Humber is probably most interesting from a pitching standpoint. Humber was the third overall pick by the Mets in the 2004 draft and was part of the Johan Santana trade. He had Tommy John surgery in 2006 and was unceremoniously DFAd by Minnesota last season. Nice pickup for the Royals since he's pitching well this season in Omaha. He projects to pitch Friday against the Zs.

Yes, we'll see Alex Gordon, who was actually sent down by the Royals this year (and yes, KC has actually been playing Alberto Callaspo at third base in his stead). The absurdity of this has been elucidated elsewhere. More interesting is arguably my favorite prospect in the PCL, first baseman Kila Ka'aihue.








333/10/33 with a .500 OBP and an 1.150 OPS. He hits left, so maybe tonight's starter, lefty Sean West will hold him down? .458 OBP and an OPS just over 1000 against lefties. He's 26. What in the world is KC waiting for?

The Teams:
June 1, 7:00 CT
New Orleans Zephyrs: 23-26, third in the PCL South
Omaha Royals: 27-22, first in the PCL North

The Pitching Matchup:
Sean West (--- ERA) vs. Gaby Hernandez (6.59 ERA)

This is the Zs first-ever look at 6'8" lefty West. He's just trying to get his career back on track after spending much of last year toiling as a mediocre starter for Florida after being a mediocre starter for Jacksonville. He more Mark Hendrickson than Randy Johnson anyway, but the Ks just disappeared when he got the call last year. I don't think anyone in the Marlins organization knows exactly what they have in West.

Gaby Hernandez was actually once in the Marlins organization after being traded for Paul LoDuca, then moved to Seattle in a trade for Arthur Rhodes. The Red Sox claimed him off waivers during the off-season and the Royals then claimed him from the Sox. Judging by the unimpressive numbers, the guy looks to be minor league space filler... but a 2009 Baseball America report labeled his fastball, slider, and change as "average or better," saying that he's got a shot to be a end-of-the-rotation major league starter.