Multiple sources are reporting that the Nationals have acquired RHP Alex Caldera for cash from the Kansas City Royals.
Caldera split time between High-A Wilmington and AA Northwest Arkansas in 2010, compiling a records of 6-4, 3.25 and 3-2, 5.12 respectively. He was a 13th-round pick in the 2007 draft and helped lead the 2008 Burlington Bees to the Midwest League championship with a 12-6, 2.89 mark and 120Ks in 149.2 IP. He struggled in his first run at High-A, allowing more hits than innings pitched and walking a career-high 53 batters with a 4.77 ERA.
His scouting report from Royals minor-league blog The Pinetar Press reads very much like a taller, right-handed version of Tom Milone (numbers updated):
[A] finesse pitcher, tossing rather consistently in the upper 80s and hitting the low 90s occasionally. He compliments his fastball with an average changeup and a slightly above average curveball… Much like he was in college, he has proven [to be] a control artist over the years, allowing an average of 2.8 BB/9 over 442 1/3 innings of duty. Caldera owns a career 3.78 professional ERA over 78 starts and 85 appearances. At 6’3″, 200 lbs., he has a rather projectable frame.
The 25-year-old is currently assigned to the Potomac roster but could very well end up in Harrisburg at the beginning of the season.