An Assessment: The Idaho Falls Chukars Hitters

The Idaho Falls Chukars reside in the Northern Division of the Pioneer League, a short-season rookie league founded in 1939. The Pioneer League primarily comprises of college and advanced high school draft picks. Eight teams total exist in this league; four in each division. The league is universally considered an 'advanced' rookie league, for older or more advanced draft picks. The Chukars have been affiliated with five different Major League Baseball franchises, and have been the Royals' rookie affiliate since 2004.

Below is a gander at some hitters who will begin the 2008 season with our Idaho rookie affiliate. I will provide basic profile information (examples include age, height, weight, and date of birth), a brief background and scouting report on each individual player.

POSITION:

PLAYER, B/T, HT, WT, DOB (AGE)

CATCHERS:

Joe Billick, R/R, 6'2", 230, 5/30/85 (23)

Background:
Selected by the Royals in the 19th round of the 2007 amateur entry draft. Drafted as a college junior from University of Georgia.

2007 statistics:
.186/.319/.237/.556, 0 HR, 11 RBI, 97 AB, 14 BB, 27 K (Idaho Falls [R])

2008 outlook:
- Billick is strictly backup catcher material in Idaho Falls. At age 23, he remains one of the oldest members of the team, and two high school draftee catchers

- Juan Graterol and Sean McCauley remain above Billick on the organizational depth chart.

Notes:
Disappointing professional debut, projected backup

Juan Graterol, R/R, 6'1", 170, 2/14/89 (19)

Background:
Signed by the Royals as a non-drafted free agent on 9/6/05.

2007 statistics:
.225/.292/.235/.527, 0 HR, 10 RBI, 102 AB, 9 BB, 17 K (Burlington Royals [R])

2008 outlook:
Thus far, Sean McCauley's backup. Still very young, so he's the frontline candidate if McCauley gets promoted to full-season ball, which is still probably unlikely.

Sean McCauley, R/R, 6'2", 170, 5/13/89 (19)

Background:
Selected by the Royals in the 12th round of the 2007 amateur entry draft.

2007 statistics:
.286/.375/.476/.851, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 84 AB, 10 BB, 19 K (AZL Royals [R])

Notes:
- Sore shoulder, out of action until May ..... MRI revealed no damage...rehabbed in Arizona...now back in Idaho Falls
- Possibility of heading to full-season league was slim, anyway (c/o The Royal Tower)
- Skinny catcher from Manassas, VA...played in AZL last season....scouts told him he'd be signed sooner, but Royals offered him sixth-round signing bonus.
- Hit well in debut, but only in 84 AB's
- Needs to increase weight to stay behind dish

INFIELDERS:

John Alfaro, R/R, 5'9", 170, 4/28/88 (20)

Notes:
- Most outstanding player at the JuCo World Series last year, led Grayson to national title (hit .476 in postseason) (The Pipeline)

Alberto ("Tito") Espinosa, R/R, 5'11", 210, 9/15/86 (21)

Background:
Selected by the Twins in the 33rd round of the 2006 amateur entry draft.

2008 outlook:
Doesn't really project. Not enough pop in bat.

Notes:
- Comes from Broward JuCo in Florida, former catcher
- Passed on Twins in 2006, will see how he adjusts

Fernando Garcia, S/R, 6'0", 160, 7/28/88 (19)

Background:
Selected by the Royals in the 28th round of the 2007 amateur entry draft (also selected in 2006, but unsigned)

2007 statistics:
.088/.295/.088/.383, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 3-for-34, 15 G, 7 BB, 8 K (Idaho Falls [R])

2008 outlook:
Won't hit for much power, showed some speed on the bases in college / Projected full-time second baseman

Antonio Jimenez, S/R, 6'2, 157, 4/20/87 (21)

Background:
Signed by the Royals as a nondrafted free agent, 5/18/05.

2007 statistics:
.184/.255/.213/.468, 0 HR, 10 RBI, 136 AB, 11 BB, 45 K, 4 SB/3 CS (Burlington [A])

2008 outlook:
Not enough power for a first baseman. Too lanky.

Yeldrys Molina, R/R, 5'9", 150, 1/8/89 (19)

Background:
Signed by the Royals as a nondrafted free agent, 7/2/05.

2007 statistics:
.209/.242/.281/.523, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 153 AB, 6 BB, 32 K, 2 SB/1 CS (Burlington [R])

2008 outlook:
At shortstop, could provide excellent double-play duo with Perez or Fernando Garcia.

Alwin Perez, L/R, 6'0", 150, 4/4/87 (21)

Background:
Signed by the Royals as a nondrafted free agent, 9/3/03.

2007 statistics:
.282/.349/.413/.762, 6 HR, 34 RBI, 206 AB, 19 BB, 40 K, 7 SB/6 CS (Burlington [R])

2008 statistics:
.207/.257/.287/.544, 1 HR, 12 RBI, 174 AB, 12 BB, 43 K, 9 SB/4 CS (Burlington [A])

2008 outlook:
All-defense/little offense player thus far.

Devery Van De Keere, L/R, 6'2", 210, 1/29/85 (23)

Background:
Selected by the Royals in the 48th round of the 2007 amateur entry draft

2007 statistics:
.284/.369/.388/.757, 3 HR, 30 RBI, 268 AB, 34 BB, 47 K, 5 SB/2 CS (Idaho Falls [R])

2008 outlook:
College senior draft pick doesn't really project as a corner infielder.

Notes:
Signed quickly last season and opened year at Idaho Falls. Played with Mark Teahen's father on Canada's national team (bloodline) - game projects similar to Teahen

OUTFIELDERS:

Nick Francis, R/R, 6'3", 195, 3/5/86 (22)

Background:
Selected by the Royals in the 15th round of the 2006 amateur entry draft, drafted as a college sophomore from Florida State University, also attended Pensacola Junior College

2007 statistics:
.303/.366/.426/.792, 1 HR, 27 RBI, 155 AB, 15 BB, 41 K, 3 SB/2 CS (AZL [R])

2008 outlook:
Good contact hitter/corner outfielder.

Shawn Griffin, S/R, 6'3", 200, 8/9/86 (21)

Background:
Selected by the Royals in the 20th round of the 2008 amateur entry draft, drafted as college junior from University of Tennessee

2007 statistics:
.268/.314/.470/.784, 6 HR, 32 RBI, 168 AB, 12 BB, 43 K, 53 G (Southeastern Conference Eastern Division [NCAA])

2008 outlook:
Contact leaves a bit to be desired, but that and power will develop further with age.

Notes:
Comes from Univ. of Tennessee...hit .314 this season with 12 HR and slugged .586 in 52 games

Patrick Norris, S/R, 6'2", 190, 3/17/86 (22)

Background:
Selected by the Royals in the 16th round of the 2007 amateur entry drafted, also previously drafted by San Diego (2005).

2007 statistics:
.285/.385/.326/.711, 0 HR, 11 RBI, 239 AB, 39 BB, 61 K, 30 SB/5 CS (Split between Burlington [R] and Idaho Falls [R]), 1-for-11 at Idaho Falls, 67-for-228 at Burlington, NC.

2008 outlook:
Speedy center fielder.

Notes:
Speedy outfielder from University of Oklahoma City, boasted speed in pro debut / Slap and go-type hitter, range galore in the outfield

Neder Severino, R/R, 6'2", 205, 2/9/88 (20)

Background:
Signed by the Royals as a nondrafted free agent, 3/15/06.

2007 statistics:
.237/.289/.344/.633, 3 HR, 17 RBI, 186 AB, 12 BB, 42 K, 4 SB/4 CS (Burlington [R])

2008 outlook:
Likely 4th outfielder or reserve.