The Chasers will need to find a new right fielder because Jordan Parraz was claimed on waivers by the Red Sox after being outrighted to Omaha earlier this week.
Parraz was on the 40-man roster prior to that, and with good reason. He put up good numbers (he hit .358 with a .451 OBP in 64 games) in NW Arkansas in 2009 and hopes were high for him in 2010, but he had a less than stellar season for Omaha. He hit .266 with 11 HR and 61 RBIs in 123 games.
At times during the 2010 season, Parraz looked lost at the plate. As Jai Miller began putting up big numbers, he cut into Parraz’s playing time. When the Royals left Parraz off the 40-man roster recently, it became clear that the 26-year-old's 2010 performance was cause for concern in the organization.
Bryan Bullington, the pitcher of the year for Omaha last season, asked for his unconditional release so he could sign with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in Japan. The 30-year-old was 8-2 with a 2.82 ERA in 20 games for Omaha in 2010. He struggled in Kansas City, after being called up, going 1-4 with a 6.12 ERA in 13 games.
Anthony Lerew, another standout in Omaha’s 2010 starting rotation, signed a minor league contract with Oakland. The 27-year-old has been pitching in the Venezuelan Winter League where he recently tossed a no-hitter. He was 9-4 with a 2.55 ERA in 22 games (19 starts) for Omaha in 2010. Like Bullington, he struggled after getting the call to Kansas City, going 1-4 with an 8.54 ERA in 6 starts.
Josh Rupe, who spent time as Omaha’s closer in 2010 – picking up 10 saves while going 2-4 with a 2.92 ERA, signed a minor league contract with Baltimore. The 27-year-old also had a hard time making the most of his opportunity when he was called up by Kansas City. He was 0-1 with a 5.59 ERA in 11 relief appearances.
Finally, infielder Ed Lucas, who came out of nowhere to have an incredible season in 2010, signed a minor league contract with Atlanta. He hit .307 with 13 HR and 50 RBIs in just 99 games for Omaha. He has been in the Royals’ system since being drafted by them in the 8th round in 2004.
Gaby Hernandez and Victor Marte were assigned to Omaha this week and will probably start the year with the Chasers in 2011.
