Dominican prospect Crisotomo, 17, signs for $98,500
--RHP Branly Crisotomo, 17, has signed with the Royals for $98,500. Crisotomo was named pitcher of the game at the Dominican Prospect League's All-Star Game, striking out five in two innings. His fastball has been clocked in the 87-91 mph range. He also throws a changeup and curve.
--RHP Nate Adcock was with the Royals last season after being a Rule 5 draft pick from the Pirates. Adcock, who made three spot starts and mostly worked in long relief, will be a rotation candidate in spring training. He went to the Arizona Fall League to throw more innings. Adcock, however, could go back to the minors if he fails to land a job in March. He had not pitched above Class A before last season.
--RHP Jeremy Jeffress opened the 2011 season in the Royals' bullpen, but was demoted May 19 after walking 11 in 15 1/3 innings. While Jeffress has a 100 mph fastball, he needs to throw more strikes to make the team out of spring training this year.
--RHP Blake Wood was good at Kauffman Stadium, going 2-0 with a 1.82 ERA in 27 relief appearances. On the road Wood struggled, going 3-3 with a 5.66 ERA in 28 outings.
--LHP Jeff Francis, who was 6-16 with a 4.82 ERA in 31 starts last season with the Royals, has signed a minor league contract with the Reds with an invite to big league camp. Francis, who walked just 39 in 183 innings, received only 3.9 runs per game support last year. The Cincinnati rotation is already crowded with Mat Latos, Bronson Arroyo, Johnny Cueto, Homer Bailey, Mike Leake and Aroldis Chapman.
BY THE NUMBERS
$52.5175 million -- Combined salary of 16 Royals players signed for 2012.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"We're going to work very hard to get all our good players signed long term. We're always open to it, as long as it's not a distraction. The important thing is Alex (Gordon), which he always is, is that Alex is prepared." -- Royals general manager Dayton Moore, on signing Gordon to a multi-year contract extension.
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