Diamondbacks sign Kila Ka'aihue to minor-league contract

The Arizona Diamondbacks have signed former Royals and Athletics first baseman Kila Ka'aihue to a minor-league contract, reports Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star:

ICYMI: former #Royals 1B Kila Ka'aihue recently signed a minor-league deal with Arizona.

— Bob Dutton (@Royals_Report) November 22, 2012

The 28-year-old Ka'aihue began the 2012 season on the Athletics' roster but was designated for assignment in early June after getting off to a rough start. The big Hawaiian spent the rest of the year back at Triple-A Sacramento, where he hit a solid .256/.367/.496 with fifteen home runs in sixty-six games.

Once a top prospect in the Royals' system, Ka'aihue has never been able to translate his offensive success in the minors to the big league level. A career .266/.389/.460 hitter in eleven minor-league seasons, the lefty slugger has hit just .221/.305/.382 in one hundred twenty-six MLB games.

No word on whether Ka'aihue's contract includes an invitation to spring training.