Royals add shortstop Sanchez to 40-man roster
A 6-2, 180-pound native of Las Piedras, Puerto Rico, Sanchez had a breakout 2005 season at Class A High Desert, batting .313 and leading the entire minor leagues with 183 hits. He finished second in the California League with 102 runs scored and tenth in batting average. "Angel possesses very good defensive skills to go along with developing offensive attributes that will allow him to become a Major League shortstop," Royals General Manager Allard Baird said. "Angel's success adds to the middle infield depth we have stockpiled at both the Major and minor league level."
The Kansas City Royals have invited 10 players to the club's 2006 Major League Spring Training camp in Surprise, Ariz., Baird also announced today. All 10 players are currently signed to Minor League contracts, but will compete for a spot on the 25-man roster during Spring Training. Baird said the club will continue to announce non-roster invitees as they are signed. Twenty non-roster players were invited to the 2005 Major League camp including two players who made the Opening Day roster, Alberto Castillo and Emil Brown. Brown ended up leading the Royals in RBIs and runs scored.
Five more non-roster invitees also spent some time with the Royals during the 2005 season. The 2006 list includes four players who spent time in the Royals organization in 2005, including 2005 first-round draft pick Alex Gordon. Right-handed pitcher Ryan Baerlocher, utility infielder Chris Clapinski and right-handed pitcher David Elder are the others.
The six new players joining the organization all have spent time in the Majors. They are third baseman Mike Coolbaugh, right-handed pitcher Joe Nelson, first baseman Chris Richard, outfielder Kerry Robinson, right-handed pitcher Victor Santos and shortstop Wilson Valdez.
Ryan Baerlocher, 28, pitched in the Royals organization in 2005, making three starts in Triple-A Omaha before becoming Double-A Wichita's Pitcher of the Year. The 6-foot-5-inch right-hander went 7-5 with a 3.44 ERA in 15 starts for the Wranglers. The Lewiston, Idaho native has yet to make his Major League debut. David Elder, 30, spent the final month of the 2005 season at Omaha after being signed as a Minor League free agent in early August. The right-handed pitcher did not allow an earned run in 16.0 innings for Omaha, compiling a 2-0 record. He has spent time in the Rangers, Indians, Braves, Yankees and Reds organizations.
Chris Clapinksi, 34, was a Royals non-roster invitee to Spring Training in 2005, but injured his right elbow after 12 spring games and missed the entire season. The veteran utility infielder spent parts of two seasons in the Majors with the Florida Marlins in 1999 and 2000.
Mike Coolbaugh, 33, spent the entire 2005 season at Triple-A Round Rock in the Houston organization, hitting .281 with 27 home runs and 101 RBIs. The right-handed hitting third baseman spent parts of two seasons in the Majors with the Brewers and Cardinals, hitting .183 with two home runs and seven RBIs in 82 at bats.
Alex Gordon, 21, became the Royals highest draft pick in franchise history when he was selected as the second overall pick in the 2005 June Free Agent Draft. The All-American third baseman from the University of Nebraska was selected as the 2005 Golden Spikes Award winner as the nation's top amateur player. The left-handed hitter batted .260 with two home runs, nine RBIs and a .403 on-base percentage in 16 games in the Arizona Fall League.
Joe Nelson, 31, joins the Royals organization after pitching in both the Tampa Bay and St. Louis organizations in 2005. The right-handed pitcher has appeared in five Major League games for the Braves in 2001 and the Red Sox in 2004.
Chris Richard, 31, spent the entire 2005 season with Triple-A Oklahoma in the Texas Rangers organization., hitting .301 with 14 home runs and 66 RBIs in 98 games. The left-handed hitting first baseman has appeared in 267 Major League games with the Cardinals, Orioles and Rockies. He had his best season in 2001 for Baltimore, hitting .265 with 31 doubles, 15 home runs and 61 RBIs.
Kerry Robinson, 32, joins the Royals after spending 2005 in the San Diego and Atlanta organizations. The speedy left-handed hitting outfielder combined to steal 39 bases in 52 attempts last season. The St. Louis native has spent parts of six seasons in the Majors with the Devil Rays, Reds, Cardinals and Padres.
Victor Santos, 29, spent the entire 2005 season at the Major League level with the Milwaukee Brewers. The right-hander went 4-13 with a 4.57 ERA in 29 games (24 starts). He has posted a 17-33 mark with a 4.99 ERA over parts of five seasons in the big leagues with Detroit, Colorado, Texas and Milwaukee.
Wilson Valdez, 27, split his 2005 season between the Seattle and San Diego organizations, appearing in 51 games at the Major League level. The right-handed hitting shortstop is a .209 career hitter in 70 games at the Major League level.