Kansas City Royals fans will no longer have to worry about trying to say or spell Kila Ka`aihue's name as the Royals today designated the 27-year-old first basemen/designated hitter for assignment. The move was made so that Kansas City could add pitcher Kelvin Herrera to the active roster.
After slowly working his way up the organizational ladder Ka`aihue really burst onto the scene in 2008 when he batted .314 with 37 home runs and 100 RBI between Northwest Arkansas and Omaha. Though he did have his moments at the major league level he never was able to consistently produce. After earning the starting job at first base with Kansas City out of spring training this year, he hit just .195 in 23 games, with two home runs and 6 RBI. He was demoted to Omaha at the beginning of May with the promotion of Eric Hosmer, and the Royals haven't looked back since.
In 87 career games with Kansas City, Ka`aihue batted .216 with 11 home runs and 32 RBI. As his time ends in Kansas City, another team will likely give Ka`aihue a shot, whether it be through a trade or picking his up as a free agent should he pass through waivers.