Interesting move today, as the Royals sent 24 year-old minor league starter Billy Buckner to the Diamondbacks for 24 year-old second baseman Alberto Callaspo.
Buckner, a labrum surgery survivor, has a plus curveball according to Baseball Prospectus’ Kevin Goldstein. Goldstein adds that he’s able to get groundballs and projects as a fourth starter. Throw him in the NL, maybe he could even become a #3.
Callaspo is one of the better second base prospects out there, but keep in mind that good prospects rarely come up at that position. He almost never whiffs, and plays strong defense. The high contact approach led to a .341 average in Triple A this year. That the D’Backs shipped him off could imply they want to sign Orlando Hudson long-term. Perhaps Callaspo’s off-field indiscretions played into the decision. At any rate he’s a nice addition for the Royals.
