Kila Kaaihue was signed by the Kansas City Royals in 2002 at the age of 18. If you are a true “phenom” you will most likely play your first Major League game by the age of 20, maybe 21. Kila on the other hand was stuck at the Single-A level for most of four seasons and spent the last two in AA. Now, one might begin to doubt this kid’s ability but something amazing happened at the beginning of the 2008 Minor League season. Kila became “Thrilla” and has been scorching baseballs over outfield walls ever since.
In 91 games at AA, Kila hit 26 HR and 79 RBI while boasting a .314 batting average. Not bad for a “24 year old prospect”, huh? In his first ever game at Triple-A, he went out and blasted a mammoth shot for his first home run at that level, and 27th of the 2008 season.
It’s insane that Kila has spent seven seasons in the Minors but unless Kansas City knows something we don’t, you just might get to see this kid in a Royals uniform as a September call-up. It’s not like they have anything to lose. They are 11 games out of first place in the National League Central Division which means they can kiss their 2008 playoff hopes goodbye.
It would be a great story to see Kila in the Big Leagues to see if all the hard work in the Minors has finally paid off. It could also be a wake-up call for all the collectors who stock up on Bowman cards of kids barely out of High School. That old guy that’s been forgotten about in your commons box might one day turn out to be a home run hero after all.
If it worked for Ryan Howard…
I didn’t realize that Kansas City was in the National League now
Oh my God….I am so embarrassed.
Great profile. I loved it.
Kila is quietly having one of the best seasons in the minor leagues this year. Even more remarkable that the power number is the fact that he has walked 81 times while only punching out 44 times. Gotta think he will get a look in September!
Great article. This kid is going to be something special. Power, high walk, and low K rate? He also hits for average. What else can you ask for?