Stillwell responded in 1988 with his best offensive year, hitting ten home runs, driving in 53, and scoring 63 runs. He was particularly effective in the first half and was rewarded with a trip to the All-Star Game. Only 24 years old, Stillwell seemed destined for a successful major league career, and produced decent numbers in '89. However, he failed to improve the next few years; his plate discipline suffered and he never walked more than 47 times in a single season.
The Royals elected not to re-sign Stillwell after the 1991 campaign, and he inked with the San Diego Padres on February 21, 1992. Handed the starting second base position, he struggled mightily and eventually lost his position to Tim Teufel.
(ArB/FO/GL)
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FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»June 6, 1983: The Twins select pitcher Tim Belcher with the first pick in the annual June free-agent draft, but Belcher will reject their $125,000 signing bonus offer and pitch for Team USA in the Pan American Games instead. He is the only first-rounder who doesn't sign. Belcher will be the first selected in the January 1984 draft. The Twins 2nd round pick, P Billy Swift, also doesn't sign. The Reds take Kurt Stillwell with the 2nd pick overall and Chris Sabo on round 2. Roger Clemens is taken with the 19th pick. The A's get Terry Steinbach, Brian Dorsett, and Greg Cadaret on the 9th, 10th and 11th rounds. The Phillies pick Ricky Jordan on the 1st round. The Reds pick up Stillwell in the 1st round, Sabo and Joe Oliver in the 2nd round, Lenny Harris (5th) and Jeff Montgomery (9th).
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