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Wondering which young players could have an impact in the majors this year? Let MLB FanHouse guide the way in Better Know a Prospect. In this edition we look at three players from the Kansas City Royals.Kila Ka'aihue, 1B: Ka'aihue isn't the team's best first base prospect (18-year-old Eric Hosmer, the third overall pick in last year's draft, holds that distinction), but he's certainly the most ready for the big leagues. Drafted out of high school in 2002, Ka'aihue played five relatively unremarkable years in the minors before exploding last season, hitting .315 with 37 home runs and a 1.5 K/BB ratio between Double-A and Triple-A.
It's worth mentioning that last season was Ka'aihue's third seeing significant action in Double-A, but the fact that he continued to tear up Triple-A pitchers suggests at least some of his development was legitimate. The next step is seeing how he performs in the big league.
Trouble is, between Mike Jacobs and Billy Butler, the Royals are pretty much set at first base and designated hitter. The team needs to figure something out, though. Ka'aihue turns 25 next month, so he's getting a little old to keep buried in the minors. If an injury or slump doesn't create an opportunity for him, maybe a trade will.
Carlos Rosa, SP: Like Ka'aihue, Rosa (pictured) isn't Kansas City's best prospect at his position, but he's the closest to the major leagues. Rosa opened 2008 with an outstanding start in Double-A (1.20 ERA, 0.82 WHIP in eight starts) followed by a solid stint in Triple-A (4.09 ERA, 1.24 WHIP in 11 starts), making two brief outings in relief in the majors along the way.
He averaged eight strikeouts per nine innings in the minors with excellent control (4.5 K/BB). That's a recipe for success, especially since he does a good job keeping the ball on the ground when hitters do make contact. What's the catch? He needs to stay healthy.
He's already had Tommy John surgery a few years ago and a strained forearm sidelined him in the last two months of 2008. But if he shows up to Spring Training in one piece, he's a solid bet to reach the majors on a semi-permanent basis this year, first as a reliever before eventually sliding into the rotation.
Daniel Cortes, SP: Cortes probably has a higher ceiling than Rosa but may not reach the majors quite as quickly -- he's only 22 (two years younger than Rosa) and has yet to get his first taste of Triple-A. In 23 starts at Double-A, he posted a 3.78 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 8.2 K/9 with 1.9 K/BB.
There's not much not to like about those numbers. He could stand to improve his control, but considering last year's K/BB was the worst of his career (he had a career 2.5 K/BB entering the season), there's reason to think he can improve in 2009.
For comprehensive coverage of the minor leagues, visit John Sickels at Minor League Ball and Baseball America. For minor league statistics, visit Baseball-Reference and Minor League Splits.
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