Royals' Future All-Stars Shine

The USA team beat the World team in the All-Star Futures Game. The Royals two prized prospects had a great showing. Billy Butler and Alex Gordon went a combined 4 for 6 with 4 RBIs. Billy Butler won the MVP award for the game. Billy Butler flashed his great power, hitting a home run to centerfield. Alex Gordon hit a double as well. Both players looked major-league ready at the plate. I was impressed with their plate discipline. Before hitting the home run, Butler worked the count and fouled off several pitches. He then hit a towering home run to centerfield. Butler made a nice grab on a deep fly to left field. He didn't seem to get the best read on the ball, but he got back in time. He looks pretty slow out there though. He probably will end up as a DH eventually, but there's no harm in letting him try and improve as much as possible. If everything goes according to plan, Butler and Gordon should be a mainstay in the heart of the Royals' lineup for the next 5 or 6 years. The Royals have a improving group of complementary players who can fill out the rest of the lineup. But, Gordon and Butler are the key to a potent offense.

Elsewhere around the minors:

Omaha lost 4-2. Hernandez wasn't very good as usual, allowing 4 runs and 9 hits in 6 innings. MacDougal pitched a scoreless inning of relief, so everything appears set for his return. Justin Huber went 1 for 2 with a walk and Costa went 1 for 4.

Wichita lost 9-7, as most of their offense was in Pittsburgh. Lubanski had a great day, going 3 for 4 with a triple (5). Maier went 0 for 3, but had 2 RBIs (57). Donnie Murphy went 2 for 4 with a double and a homerun. Murphy has pretty much disappeared after the premature callups.

High Desert won 15-4. Unfortunately, there isn't much on this ballclub. Mostly organizational players except for Cota and maybe Gilbert de la Vara.

Burlington won 5-3. Rayner Oliveros had a good start, going 6 2/3 innings and allowing just 1 run on 3 hits and striking out 7.

Idaho Falls had a the day off.

The Arizona Royals won 8-3. Brent Fisher had a good performance on the mound. Fisher allowed no hits and just 1 run and struck out 5. The Royals' 2006 4th Round Pick Derrick Robinson went 1 for 5 with a double. Fisher and Bianchi will probably be promoted soon. Bianchi had the day off, so hopefully he is headed to Idaho Falls.