CINCINNATI — In January 2011, with his right shoulder aching and his resolve fading, pitcher Gil Meche decided to retire. He forfeited $12 million in salary, which left the Royals with a budgetary surplus, and the rare opportunity to spend money twice. The sacrifice by Meche, along with the acumen of the Royals’ Latin American scouting department, led to the acquisition of the team’s most enticing current prospect.
Owner David Glass instructed his front office to invest the newfound money in the draft and the international market. The front office of general manager Dayton Moore had already located one target: Raul Adalberto Mondesi, the teenage son of former All-Star outfielder Raul Mondesi.