Post by Zack Attack Troll on Dec 14, 2007 16:55:22 GMT -5
KANSAS CITY -- The Kansas City Royals have acquired switch-hitting infielder Alberto Callaspo from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for right-handed pitcher Billy Buckner.
The 24-year old Callaspo (Ky-AWS-po) split his 2007 season between Triple-A Tucson and the Diamondbacks. He hit .215 (31-for-144) with eight doubles, seven RBI, nine walks and 14 strikeouts in 56 games for the N.L. West champs, appearing mostly as a pinch hitter. Callaspo dominated the Pacific Coast League, hitting .341 (77-for-226) with 15 doubles, five home runs, 30 RBI and 48 runs in 59 games for the Sidewinders.
"The addition of Alberto continues to increase the versatility on our team," Royals General Manager Dayton Moore said. "He is a young, tremendously skilled player with a great eye at the plate and very solid defensive skills at three infield positions."
A 5-foot-10, 170-pounder from Maracay, Aragua, Venezuela, Callaspo made his Major League debut for the Diamondbacks in 2006 after being acquired from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for pitcher Jason Bulger on Feb. 28, 2006. He has posted a .220 (41-for-186) career average in 79 big league games, with nine doubles, one triple, 13 RBI and 12 runs scored. Callaspo has made appearances at second base, third base, shortstop, left field and right field in his young Major League career, but was primarily a second baseman at the Minor League level.
Originally signed by the Angels as a non-drafted free agent in 2001, Callaspo hit .337 (165-for-490) with 24 doubles, 12 triples, seven home runs, 68 RBI and 93 runs scored in 114 games with Tucson in 2006 on his way to being named the Diamondbacks Minor League Player of the Year. He led the PCL in runs, finished second in average and triples and fourth in runs scored. He continued a career-long trend, drawing 56 walks while striking out just 27 times. In both 2004 and 2005, he was the toughest player in the Minor Leagues to strikeout, fanning a total of 55 times in 1,225 plate appearances.
The 24-year old Callaspo (Ky-AWS-po) split his 2007 season between Triple-A Tucson and the Diamondbacks. He hit .215 (31-for-144) with eight doubles, seven RBI, nine walks and 14 strikeouts in 56 games for the N.L. West champs, appearing mostly as a pinch hitter. Callaspo dominated the Pacific Coast League, hitting .341 (77-for-226) with 15 doubles, five home runs, 30 RBI and 48 runs in 59 games for the Sidewinders.
"The addition of Alberto continues to increase the versatility on our team," Royals General Manager Dayton Moore said. "He is a young, tremendously skilled player with a great eye at the plate and very solid defensive skills at three infield positions."
A 5-foot-10, 170-pounder from Maracay, Aragua, Venezuela, Callaspo made his Major League debut for the Diamondbacks in 2006 after being acquired from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for pitcher Jason Bulger on Feb. 28, 2006. He has posted a .220 (41-for-186) career average in 79 big league games, with nine doubles, one triple, 13 RBI and 12 runs scored. Callaspo has made appearances at second base, third base, shortstop, left field and right field in his young Major League career, but was primarily a second baseman at the Minor League level.
Originally signed by the Angels as a non-drafted free agent in 2001, Callaspo hit .337 (165-for-490) with 24 doubles, 12 triples, seven home runs, 68 RBI and 93 runs scored in 114 games with Tucson in 2006 on his way to being named the Diamondbacks Minor League Player of the Year. He led the PCL in runs, finished second in average and triples and fourth in runs scored. He continued a career-long trend, drawing 56 walks while striking out just 27 times. In both 2004 and 2005, he was the toughest player in the Minor Leagues to strikeout, fanning a total of 55 times in 1,225 plate appearances.
