Royals Trade Bailey to Athletics
The Kansas City Royals announced today that they have acquired minor league infielder Kevin Merrell from the Oakland Athletics for right-handed pitcher Homer Bailey. Merrell will report to the Royals’ Double-A affiliate, Northwest Arkansas.
Merrell, 23, a left-handed hitting infielder was selected by the A’s in the Competitive Balance Round (33rd overall) in the 2017 First-Year Player Draft. He is batting .246 (71-for-289) with 13 doubles, four triples, two homers, 37 runs scored and 13 stolen bases in 82 games with Oakland’s Double-A affiliate, Midland, this season. Last year, he was a mid-season All-Star with Stockton (A+), batting .267 (72-for-270) with 10 doubles, three triples and 38 runs scored in 62 games.
Bailey went 7-6 with a 4.80 ERA in 18 starts with the Royals this season after signing as a minor league free agent on February 9.
The Royals’ Major League Reserve List is at 39 players.
