Jimmy Campanis was an original Royal and played in KC from 1969-1970. The son of the late Dodgers GM Al Campanis, “Campy” caught 61 games while in a Royals uniform after being traded by his Dad from LA to KC! He would later be dealt by the Royals to the Pirates as part of the deal that landed KC Freddie Patek and all in all, spent parts of six seasons at the Big League level. He recently joined Dave O to talk lots about his father Al, including some amazing Jackie Robinson stories, his thoughts on coming over to KC, how “truly first class” the Royals organization was, memories of many deceased teammates and lots more! (Photo Courtesy Kansas City Royals)
Ryan O’Hearn was selected by the Royals in the 8th round of last year’s draft out of Sam Houston State and immediately won the Pioneer League MVP at Idaho Falls after punishing the league’s pitching to the tune of .444/.590/1.034 with 13 HR’s and 54 RBI. A 6-3 left handed hitting first baseman/right fielder, O’Hearn has continued his torrid hitting in 2015, cranking 25 HR’s between Lexington and Wilmington as of August 25th. He joined Dave O this morning to talk about his impressive 2014 debut, winning this year’s Sally League Home Run Derby, his ability to draw a walk, an update on his defense and eons more! (Photo Courtesy Mary Lay/Lexington Legends)
Shane Costa played for the Royals from 2005-2007 and overall, spent parts of eight seasons with the Kansas City organization (2003-2010). Originally drafted by the Royals in the 2nd round of the 2003 draft out of Cal State Fullerton, Kansas City was the only organization that the left handed hitting outfielder ever played for, as Costa logged 154 games and 421 AB’s while in a KC uniform. He recently joined Dave O to talk about his entire baseball journey, from playing in the College World Series twice to “really growing up” at Wilmington, from his times in the Big Leagues to his current day role of working for Scott Boras, and lots more! (Photo Courtesy Kansas City Royals)
Lane Adams made his Big League debut with the Royals last September after entering the KC system in 2009 as a 13th round selection in the draft. A 6-4 outfielder, Adams signed with Kansas City after nearly choosing to pursue a basketball scholarship at Missouri State, as he finished his Oklahoma prep career as the fifth-leading scorer in the state’s history (3,251 points). Lane currently plays with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals and recently joined Dave O to discuss his 2014 KC experience, why he chose baseball over basketball, being an avid shoe collector and much more! (Photo Courtesy John Owen/Northwest Arkansas Naturals)
Matt Tupman played in one game with Kansas City during the 2008 season and finished his Big League career hitting 1.000 (1-1, a single off of Florida’s Kevin Gregg). A left handed hitting catcher, Tupman was originally selected by the Royals in the 9th round of the 2002 draft and spent a total of eight seasons with the KC organization. He recently joined Dave O to talk very candidly about the whole unlikely journey, from growing up in New Hampshire to catching Zack Greinke in Rookie Ball, to the well-publicized disagreements with Frank White at Wichita to retiring as a 1.000 hitter, to the regret he has about asking for his release in 2009. An honest to goodness MUST listen for ANY Royals fan with a funny and great man. (Photo Courtesy Kansas City Royals)
Alfredo Escalera was chosen by the Royals in the 8th round of the 2012 MLB Draft and with his selection, became the youngest player to ever be drafted at 17.31 years of age. A center fielder with corner upside, Escalera currently plays with Wilmington after a mid-season promotion from Lexington, and has slash lines of .340/.428/.768 as of August 1st to go along with 9 HR’s and 18/21 stolen bases. He recently joined Dave O to talk about being compared to Carlos Beltran, winning the President’s Volunteer Service Award from Barack Obama, receiving the Mike Sweeney Award and lots more! (Photo Courtesy Mary Lay/Lexington Legends)
Bobby Floyd played for the Royals from 1970-1974 and overall, spent parts of seven seasons at the Big League level (1968-1970 with Baltimore). A utility infielder with a great glove, Floyd appeared in 167 games with Kansas City and following his career, has gone on to coach and manage professionally for the Mariners and Mets. Bobby recently joined Dave O to talk about growing up in El Segundo, California while knowing the Brett family, his years in Baltimore before coming over to KC, the romantic story of how he met and married a Kansas City girl and lots more! (Note: Dave O wishes to thank sabr.org for its help in preparing him for this interview.) (Photo Courtesy Kansas City Royals)
Luke Farrell was selected by the Royals in the 6th round of the 2013 draft out of Northwestern and currently pitches for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. The son of Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell, Luke is 6-6 and enjoying a successful 2015, as he currently sports a 3.40 ERA with nearly a K per inning for the Naturals. Farrell’s story goes far beyond the baseball field, however, as he has overcome three VERY serious surgeries to remove a benign tumor in his neck. He recently joined Dave O to talk about how that fight has changed his life, how much it means to give back to others and also, lots of baseball talk, including growing up in a baseball family, coming into the Royals system and much more! (Photo Courtesy Alan Jamison/Northwest Arkansas Naturals)
Trenidad Hubbard played for the Royals during the 2001 season and overall, spent parts of ten years at the Big League Level with nine teams (Rockies, Giants, Indians, Dodgers, Braves, Orioles, Royals, Padres and Cubs). A right handed infielder/outfielder, Hubbard’s best years came with the Dodgers from 1998-1999 when he hit a combined .368/.431/.799. He recently joined Dave O for a HILARIOUS chat filled with amazing baseball stories that only a guy who played 19 years in professional baseball (until the age of 41) can tell! An honest to goodness “must listen!” (Photo Courtesy Trenidad Hubbard)
Matt Strahm currently pitches for the Wilmington Blue Rocks and is one of the most pleasant surprises of 2015 in the entire Royals organization. As of July 9th, the 6-4 lefty carries combined marks (between Lexington and Wilmington) of 3-1 with a 2.09 ERA and 74 K’s in 47.1 innings. The former Nebraska Cornhusker commit was originally selected by the Royals out of Neosho County Community College (Kansas) in the 21st round of 2012 and has seen his prospect status soar after recovering from Tommy John surgery in 2013. He recently joined Dave O to give a full scouting report on his arsenal of pitches and talk about growing up in Fargo, including how he’s NEVER seen the movie Fargo, being a South Atlantic League All-Star this year and lots more! (Photo Courtesy Mary Lay/Lexington Legends)