Idaho Falls pitching staff set

The Royals spend the first half of the second day of the draft loading up on college arms that will likely need places to pitch, so, in an unusual move, prior to the draft, they have already set the Idaho Falls pitching staff.  In a series of stories, the I.F. official site announced that the Royals had told them what pitchers would be on the Chukars staff (at least to start the season), but decided to wait until after the draft to decide what position players to send there.

A note of warning:  this is not pretty.  I'm not certain any of these guys actually appear on any prospect list.  And words like "Rule 5" and "Ross Gload" are relevant to this list.  Instead of a "lots of college guys" or "lots of international guys," philosophies the last two seasons have somewhat reflected in assembling the high rookie-ball squads, this year's Chukar staff appears to be built on a philosophy of, "Idaho Falls pitchers are going to get pounded in the ultra-hitters league, so let's not send anyone there we actually care about."  Not a lot of detail here (I don't even know who's RH and who's LH, but I don't think it matters), but, just so you know who they are:

Draft Picks:

Mitch Hodge (aka Peter Mitchell Hodge Neilsen), 2007 4th round pick:  The Royals 2008 4th round pick was Tim Melville.  This year's 2009 4th round pick was Chris Dwyer, a college LH with considerable upside.  Mitch is not like these guys.  The multi-named Canadian struggled in two seasons in Arizona, posting a 1-10 record with a 6.62 ERA.  Hopefully, the third time in short-season ball is a charm.  Don't know if he'll start (as he had mostly done) or relieve (which he was doing more often later last year).

Ryan Morgan, 2008 #26:  This is Morgan's second season in Idaho Falls.  The SLU High product (yea, Missouri!) went 0-4 record with a 6.70 ERA, but, as the official press release noted, his last start was his best, giving up only 1 run in 4 1/3.  I assume he'll start.

Pernell Halliman, 2008 #40:  Halliman pitched in relief in Burlington, NC last year (0-1, 8.31 on a really bad team)after being drafted (for the second time) from Jackson State University.  He's large, 6'6", 240, so there's that.  Bullpen.

Bryan Paukovitz, 2006 #44:  In 2007, he went 3-4 with a 4.91 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 51.1 innings pitched at Burlington, NC.  In 2008, he had "arm surgery" (I can't find what kind).  Apparently could touch 97 with his fastball back in HS.  He's an inch taller and the same weight as Halliman.  Mostly started in Burlington, but, coming back from surgery, I'd expect him to be in the bullpen.

International signees:

Sugar Ray Marimon, 2007, Columbia:  Pretty good 2007 with the Dominican Royals, really bad 6 appearance with Burlington, NC, in 2008:  0-2, 11.08 ERA.  Half of those were starts, no idea how they'll use Sugar Ray.

Carlos Fortuna, 2007, Dominican:  started and relieved in Arizona last summer, 2-2, 5.82.

Santiago Garrido, 2007 Domincan:  went 0-2 with a 3.86 ERA in Burlington, NC, making him about one of the best pitchers there last year, then did a little worse in Arizona.  Likely a reliever.

Onassis Sirrett:  2006, Dominican:  2006 in DSL, 2007 split time in Dominican and Arizona, last year in Arizona.  He was 3.02 with a 3.35 ERA, although being in his third season of pro ball against Arizona rookie leaguers doesn't make me think that was all talent.

Others:

Aneidy Toribio, Free Agent:  Dominican FA spent 2 years in the Padres system, was released and picked up by the Royals.  This will be his third season in our system, and second at IF.  He led the team (8th in the league) with 68 stirkeouts last year (3-5, 4.67).  Fifth season, still in short season ball.  He's a starter.

Jaeson Hudnall, 2008 undrafted FA:  Another tall guy (6'6''), signed late last year after being undrafted from Urbana University, and appeared in only 4 games for Burlington NC (4 games, 5.1 innings, 3.38 ERA, 6 K/0 BB).  Also a big strikeout guy in college.  I might be a little intrigued as a future bullpen type higher in the system.

Carlos Arias, 2008 Rule 5 (AAA portion) pick:  Selected from the Indians, pitched in 2008 for their NYP League team.  Was signed as a Dominican FA in 2004, pitched there 3 years and in whatever league the Gulf Coast Indians are in.  90 relief appearances in 92 total, he's got a career 6-10 record and 4.20 ERA.

Eric Basurto, traded with Florida. 2009:  Basurto was the PTBNL in the Ross Gload trade.  33rd round pick in 2007.  He pitched a little for their high-A team in 2007, pitched in low-A last year with the Greensboro Grasshoppers (so there was still alliteration!) of the South Atlantic League.  Out of the bullpen, he had a 1.64 ERA in 44 innings, 36 K/26 BB.  If he keeps regressing a level each year, he'll be playing American Legion ball by 2012.

Best of luck to the Idaho Falls staff!