Kansas City called up OF-L David DeJesus, Jimmy Gobble, Jarrod Patterson, Tom Prince, Brad Voyles, Kris Wilson, and Jamey Wright to expand their roster in September.

The Royals drafted DeJesus out of Rutgers University with their fourth round pick of the 2000 draft. However, he did not play a minor league game for the club until last year as a result of succession of elbow injuries. DeJesus spent much of 2002 at A+ Wilmington in the Carolina League before moving to AA Wichita in the Texas League later in the season. The 23-year-old logged a bit more time at AA to open 2003 before advancing to AAA Omaha in the Pacific Coast League, where he hit .298 with a .412 OBP and .470 SLG on 64 H, 16 2B, 3 3B, and 5 HR with a 34:30 BB:K and 8/12 SB%. He's displayed solid plate discipline, marginal power, and promising speed skills.

DeJesus looks as though he could have produced for the Royals as a starting outfielder this month. However, Kansas City's ultimately fruitless quest for the playoffs unfortunately relegated him to pinch-running, preventing DeJesus from gaining much major league experience and blocking the club from getting a good look at him this month. Nevertheless, DeJesus should leave Spring Training as at least a reserve outfielder if not a starter. I don't anticipate immediate stardom, but he should provide solid production.

When rosters first expanded, Minnesota called up Lew Ford, Adam Johnson, Alex Prieto, Mike Restovich, and Brad Thomas.