Kanekoa Texeira  Kanekoa Jacob Texeira (born February 6, 1986) is an American former professional baseball pitcher, and current pitching coach for the Class A Rome Braves of Minor League Baseball. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners and Kansas City Royals. Texeira attended the Kamehameha Schools in Honolulu and Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, California. Texeira was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 31st round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft. He did not sign. Texeira was selected by Chicago White Sox in the 22nd round (675th overall) of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft. He signed on June 14, 2006 and debuted that season with the Bristol White Sox of the Appalachian League, before being promoted to the Kannapolis Intimidators of the South Atlantic League. After pitching all of 2007 in Kannapolis, he split 2008 between the Class-A advanced Winston-Salem Warthogs and the Class-AA Birmingham Barons. On November 14, 2008, the White Sox traded Texeira along with first baseman/outfielder Nick Swisher in exchange for infielder Wilson Betemit, and minor league pitchers Jeffrey Marquez and Jhonny Nuñez. He played the 2009 season the Class-AA Trenton Thunder. Texeira was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 2009 Rule 5 draft. Mariners General Manager Jack Zduriencik had been familiar with Texeira from his days with the Brewers, where he was scouting director when Texeira was drafted by the Brewers in 2004. Texeira made the Mariners' opening day roster following a strong performance in spring training. With the Mariners, he recorded a 5.30 ERA, 6.8 strikeouts per nine innings, and 4.8 walks per nine innings in 18 innings pitched. However, Texeira and Jesús Colomé were designated for assignment on May 31, 2010, as the Mariners promoted pitchers Sean White and Garrett Olson. On June 3, 2010, Texeira was claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Royals, who designated Brad Thompson for assignment to make room for him. On June 15, 2010, he recorded his first career win in a 15–7 Royals victory over the Houston Astros. Texeira, after starting the 2011 season with Kansas City, was optioned to Triple-A on April 21. He had a 0–0 record with a 2.84 ERA in six games at the time of his demotion.