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Kansas City Assigns Dallas Baptist Trio To Spokane

By Chris Derrick chrisd@spokesman.com(509) 459-5515

Call them the 1996 Spokane Indians or call them Dallas Baptist West.

The Kansas City Royals announced Friday they have signed three baseball players from Dallas Baptist University and assigned them to Spokane of the Northwest League.

Among the players from the NAIA school is left-handed pitcher Kenneth Mullen, who was 10-1 with a 3.16 earned run average for the Patriots. Selected in the seventh round of this week’s amateur draft, Mullen is the top draft pick assigned to Spokane thus far.

Also coming from DBU are right-hander Aaron Lineweaver (11-1, 3.36), a 20th-round choice, and second baseman James Harp, a 21st-rounder, who hit .412.

To date, 13 other players are assigned to the Indians’ four-day minicamp that begins Friday.

In keeping with the teammates theme, Arkansas’ Kit Pellow (22nd round) will join infield mate Kendrick Moore, a free agent, who was the first player sent to Spokane. Alabama shortstop Brett Taft (15th round) and Wichita State lefty Brandon Baird (24th round) are coming to the Indians after stints at the College World Series.

Also sent to Spokane’s short-season A team are right-hander Ethan Stein, North Carolina, 12th round; utility Brandon Burger, Eastern Kentucky, 14th; shortstop Eric Sees, Stanford, 15th; catcher Roman Escamilla, Texas, 17th; third baseman Kris Didion, Tulane, 19th; right-hander Jason Simontacchi, Albertson, 21st; left-hander Jake Chapman, St. Joseph’s (Ind.), 26th; and right-handers Enrique Calero, St. Thomas (Fla.), 27th; and Donald Quigley, Sonoma State, 32nd.

“We’ve got a great group of players this year,” said Royals director of minor league operations Bob Hegman. “We have drafted a lot of guys with big college experience.

“… Because of this experience, these players should help the Indians be more competitive this season.”

Spokane has had five consecutive lower-division finishes in the NWL’s North Division, including last year’s third-place showing in the Royals’ first year as parent club.

Kansas City will announce additional roster players as they are signed or shuffled from the farm system.

The Indians open June 18 at Everett. Their home opener is June 21 against Eugene.

, DataTimes