Royals notebook: Agreement with Idaho Falls completes '09 affiliate lineup

The Royals completed their 2009 lineup of minor-league affiliates Friday by announcing an agreement to extend their relationship with Idaho Falls of the rookie-advanced Pioneer League through 2010.

Minor-league director Scott Sharp said Idaho Falls provides “a good introduction to professional baseball for our newly-signed players.” The agreement continues a relationship that began in 2004.

The Royals sent their last two first-round picks to Idaho Falls: shortstop Mike Moustakas in 2007, and first baseman Eric Hosmer in 2008.

The club’s affiliate lineup remains unchanged for next season:

Omaha in the Class AAA Pacific Coast League; Northwest Arkansas in the Class AA Texas League; Wilmington in the Class A advanced Carolina League; Burlington (Iowa) in the Class A Midwest League; Idaho Falls; Burlington (N.C.) in the short-season Appalachian League; Surprise in the Arizona Rookie League; and Salcedo in the Dominican Summer League.

The agreements with Omaha, Wilmington and Burlington (Iowa), like that with Idaho Falls, are through 2010. The Burlington (N.C.) agreement runs through next season. The Northwest Arkansas agreement runs through 2012.

The Royals operate Surprise and Salcedo through club-owned facilities.

Texas League picks

First baseman Kila Ka'aihue and right-hander Danny Cortes each placed among Baseball America’s top 20 prospects in the Texas League.

Cortes, 21, ranked sixth after going 10-4 with a 3.78 ERA in 23 starts. Cortes battled a strained left quadriceps muscle early in the season but closed with a rush: 4-0 and a 2.18 ERA in August.

Ka'aihue’s breakthrough season began by batting .312 with 26 homers and 78 RBIs in 91 games at Northwest Arkansas. He also played well at Omaha before getting a September call-up to the majors.

The magazine put Ka'aihue, 24, at No. 12 in its Texas League rankings.

Cortes and Ka'aihue were previously picked by the Royals as the pitcher and player of the year at Northwest Arkansas.

Winter details

Second baseman Kurt Mertins is off to a hot start for the North Shore Honu in Hawaii Winter Baseball. Mertins is five for 12 in four games for a club-leading .417 average.

Mertins, 22, was a 13th-round pick in the 2006 draft. He batted .282 this season at Wilmington with three homers and 46 RBIs in 118 games. He also stole 28 bases in 33 attempts.

To reach Bob Dutton, Royals reporter for The Star, call (816) 234-4352 or send email to bdutton@kcstar.com.

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