Minor League Weekly – Kila Ka’aihue

Last week I detailed the season that one of the most underrated minor league pitchers is having. This week I’m going to look at one of the most under the radar hitters in the minor leagues; Royals first basemen Kila Ka’aihue. How do I know he is under the radar? Well because if I Google his name I get a little under 12,000 hits. If I Google my name I get around 20,000. That’s pretty under the radar. He wasn’t even listed in the Royals top 30 prospects at the beginning of the year! That’s also pretty under the radar.

Ka’aihue, a native Hawaiian, was drafted in the 15th round of the 2002 major league baseball draft. After being draft Ka’aihue spent three years between rookie ball and advanced A ball where he had limited success. His power was evident, however his ability to get on base via the walk were not. Ka’aihue had far more strikeouts than walks from 2002-2005. In 2006 Ka’aihue went to AA were he struggled with a .603 OPS and .67 BB/K ratio.

The next season (2007) Ka’aihue went back to A+ where he drastically improved to a .780 OPS and .93 BB/K ratio. After a mid season promotion to AA he continued to improve with a .806 OPS and 1 more walk than strikeout. He looked poised for a breakout, however because it had taken him so many years to get to this point he was not recognized as a big time prospect.

Then 2008 happened. Ka’aihue started the year at AA and just exploded. With the AA Naturals he posted a .314 BA, .463 OBP, .624 SLG, 1.087 OPS, and 1.95 BB/K ratio (about twice as many!) He also had 26 home runs and 83 runs created in 287 AB’s. Ka’aihue made the Texas League all star team and this August got a promotion to AAA. He has been off the charts since then with a 1.146 OPS, 7 home runs, and 18 runs created in only 17 games. J.J. Picollo, the Royals director of scouting and development, said of Ka’aihue: “From an offensive standpoint, I don’t think there’s a player having that type of year.”

This guy is a legitimate fantasy option, possibly as early as this September. The problem is the Royals history with power hitting first basemen, as well as a logjam at the position. With Ross Gload and Billy Butler currently at the major league level, and Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer, the Royals last two early first round picks also at the position, Ka’aihue have to move to the outfield. He probably can. The first basemen is big – 6’3, 230 pounds – however he does have decent range and a great arm (he was clocked in the mid 90’s as a senior in high school) so he should be able to succeed there. If you are in a keeper league of any kind, especially a dynasty league or one with minor league rosters, get this guy on your team. I did, and I’m feeling confident he will be an impact bat at the major league level if not this September then next spring.