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Johnny Giavotella continues to do nothing but hit at AAA Omaha, putting up a .398/.431/.610 line during the month of June, to go with 4 HR and 25 RBI. The 2nd round draft pick 2008 from the University of New Orleans has 16 multiple hit games during the month and went hit-less in just three games last month for the Storm Chasers. The scouts are down on his glove, ranging anywhere from a liability to just average, however his bat has seemed to warm up along with the weather. As Matt Conner wrote yesterday, Giavotella is deserving of being the next call up for the Royals big league club.
Other nominees-
Michael Antonio (3rd Rd 2010 High School) Burlington (Rookie) SS .378/.429/.703 2 HR 7 RBI 6 doubles
Brian Fletcher (18th Rd 2010 Auburn) Kane County (A) OF .324/.378/.765 4 HR 10 RBI
Tim Smith (Acquired via trade with Texas Rangers 9/2/09) Northwest Arkansas (AA) OF .337/.371/.596 5 HR 26 RBI
Mike Aviles (7th Rd 2003) Omaha (AAA) 3B .333/.350/.707 8 HR 14 RBI
Pitching wise, Kelvin Herrera has steamrolled through the competition at Class A Wilmington, before being promoted in May to AA Northwest Arkansas. For the season Herrera is 4-1 with a 1.22 ERA and five saves in 37.0 innings of work. He has an astonishing 40 strikeouts against only three walks. Hitters are batting just .183 against the 21-year-old right handed pitcher from the Dominican Republic. Last week all the hard work paid off as Herrera was selected along with Wil Myers to represent the Royals organization in the Futures Game which takes place during All-Star weekend in Arizona. Both Alex Gordon and Billy Butler took part in the game in 2006, while last year Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas teamed together in the game as well.
Herrera has been with the Royals since 2006, when the Royals signed him as an international free agent. Royals minor league director of operations Scott Sharp had this to say about Herrera-
"With Kelvin, we're very pleased with they way [he's] progressed this year," Sharp said. 'He's been a starter... in the past. We converted him to a reliever this year. He's done exceptionally well. He's got three well-above-average pitches and has done a great job. He's fearless on the mound and answers every challenge that we present him with."
Other nominees-
Edwin Carl (Undrafted free agent 2010 from U of New Mexico) Idaho Falls (Rookie) 1-0 0.00 ERA 5.0 IP 0.60 WHIP 10 SO 1 BB
Tyler Graham (22nd Rd 2010 U of Nevada) Burlington (Rookie) 1-0 0.87 ERA 10.1 IP 0.58 WHIP 14 SO 2 BB
Greg Billo (28th Rd 2008 High School) Kane County (A) 2-0 2.11 ERA 21.1 IP 22 SO 3 BB
Luis Mendoza (Acquired via trade with the Texas Rangers 4/2/10) Omaha (AAA) 3-0 1.05 ERA 34.1 IP 12 SO 9 BB