Mike Jacobs, John Bale Released Prior to Draft
Osuna, who recently turned 22 on November 25, is currently 1-0 with a 1.40 ERA in 15 appearances (1 start) for his hometown team of Mazatlan in the Mexican Winter League after splitting his 2009 season between Myrtle Beach (A Advanced) and Mississippi (AA). The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder was 3-6 with a 4.33 ERA in 14 starts for Myrtle Beach before compiling a 4-4 mark and a 3.72 ERA in 13 games (12 starts) with Mississippi.
Osuna was named the Rome (A) Braves Pitcher of the Year in 2008 after leading the club with 10 wins. Following the 2008 season, he was named by Baseball America as having the "Best Changeup" in the Atlanta farm system. Osuna was originally signed by the Braves as a non-drafted free agent on July 2, 2004.
The Royals chose not to make any selections in the minor league phase of today's Rule 5 Draft, nor did the club lose any players to other organizations in either the Major League or minor league phases.
Prior to this morning's draft, the Royals announced that they have requested Unconditional Release Waivers on first baseman/DH Mike Jacobs and left-handed pitcher John Bale.
In 2009 Jacobs, 29, hit .228 with 19 home runs and 61 RBI, while the 35-year old Bale was 0-1 with a 5.72 ERA in 43 relief appearances for Kansas City.