Kila Ka’aihue Joins Hiroshima Toyo Carp

Kila Ka’aihue will head to Japan after signing a deal to join the Hiroshima Toyo Carp. (Image Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports)

Kila Ka’aihue has reportedly reached an agreement to sign with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of the Nippon Professional Baseball League in Japan, according to JapanBall.com (via MLBTR). Ka’aihue never ranked among the game’s top prospects, but was often considered a strong contact hitter with a good eye at the plate. He was never projected to hit much for power (averaging under 20 HR a season throughout his career) but he figured to be a decent role player if he could stick in the big leagues. The 29 year old first baseman last played in the Major Leagues last year with the Oakland Athletics. He’d spent much of 2013 with the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

He’d batted .313/.426/.620 in 235 PA with Reno, adding 16 HR in 53 games. Despite the strong production there was little room for the team to recall him, given what Paul Goldschmidt has been able to do at first for the D’backs. Ka’aihue doesn’t profile well at any other position on the diamond and has struggled at the plate in parts of four seasons with the Kansas City Royals and A’s to a career .221/.305/.382 line in 465 PA.