Pitching prospect Binford promoted to Triple-A

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Royals have promoted their eighth-ranked prospect, pitcher Christian Binford, to Triple-A Omaha to test him as a reliever as the club checks out its September callup possibilities.

Binford, a 30th-round pick in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, had an 8-6 record and 2.69 ERA in 22 starts this summer for Class A Wilmington and then Double-A Northwest Arkansas.

A 6-foot-6 right-hander, he had 130 strikeouts and just 17 walks in 130 2/3 innings. He has an average fastball with good sink and a changeup is his best secondary pitch.

"We'll get our best arms and evaluate and see what we have," manager Ned Yost said.