Royals' camp, everybody's talking about the quality of the young arms at manager Tony Pena's disposal. Back in Kansas City, inquiring minds want to know if it's myth or reality.
"It's reality," veteran set-up man Jason Grimsley said. "I'm throwing 95 mph and I'm the low man on the totem pole."
The Royals' hope for improving considerably on a 100-loss season largely revolves around the issue of whether the young pitching can make that huge leap from potential to performance. It's one thing to have good stuff. It's another thing to thrive at the Major League level.
"At some point," Grimsley said, "you stop being a prospect and just go ahead and do it."
Three young pitchers in particular - Jeremy Affeldt, Runelvys Hernandez and Mike MacDougal - could have a huge impact on on Kansas City's fortunes. If the regular season started today, Affeldt and Hernandez would likely be the No. 1 and No. 2 starters for the Royals.
MacDougal, who can consistently throw in the 100 mph range, is in the mix for a prominent late-relief role. Although club officials say it'll be a closer-by-committee approach through the first month of the regular season, MacDougal could be the eventual successor to Roberto Hernandez, if MacDougal's control and mechanics hold up in pressure situations.
Want a gauge on how the Royals are doing? Just check the progress of those three young pitchers in particular. They should represent a barometer of whether Kansas City is on the right course in its rebuilding effort.
"I categorize it as those guys have very good stuff, plenty enough stuff to win at the Major League level," Royals general manager Allard Baird said. "But it still comes down to pitch ability. If you see an Affeldt or MacDougal get ahead in the count, they are very difficult to hit with their stuff.
"But if they get behind in the count, the hitter can sit "dead red" and the pressure is then on the pitcher. So, we have to have our young guys be pitch efficient. They have to be down in the strike zone and they have to pitch ahead in the count. It's growth and maturity."
Through Friday, Affeldt had worked a two-inning stint and a three-inning stint in Spring Training. The two runs he gave up came on a two-run homer by Seattle's Edgar Martinez.
"That ball may still be going," Affeldt said. "But I'm not the first guy to give up a homer to Edgar Martinez. Overall, I'm very pleased with what has happened so far. I'm using all my pitches and feeling good out there."
Affeldt was constantly plagued by a blister problem on the middle finger of his pitching hand last year. But he's using a band-aid type covering in warmup sessions now that reduces the friction. So far, Affeldt has had no blister problems, but that will be something to watch as Affeldt builds his pitch count to 70 and beyond.
If Affeldt can take his turn every five days, Pena will be delighted.
"This kid has the stuff to eventually become a 20-game winner," Pena said. "I really believe that."
Hernandez allowed just one run in his first five innings this spring. Opponents hit .200 against him during that span.
"His stuff may not be quite as good as the other two guys (Affeldt and MacDougal), but Hernandez has always had pitchability," Baird said. "He battles, never gives in and he's not afraid to throw an off-speed pitch behind in the count."
Both Affeldt and Hernandez have stated their aspirations for being the Opening Day starter on March 31 against the White Sox. They certainly appear to be the top two in Pena's rotation plans. But that would mean they'll be matched against the other club's top pitchers and may therefore not get a lot of runs with which to work.
Can Affeldt and Hernandez mentally handle a lack of run support? MacDougal is making a transition from starter to finisher. His winter ball transition was encouraging to Royals officials, but can he handle ninth-inning pressure in a Major League park?
If Affeldt, Hernandez and MacDougal come through, a lot of things could fall into place within the pitching staff. Left-hander Chris George, the Royals' minor league Pitcher of the Year in 2001, has been impressive in Spring Training and is bidding for a starting spot.
Miguel Asencio, Ryan Bukvich, D.J. Carrasco, Jeremy Hill, Scott Mullen, Brad Voyles, Kris Wilson, Shawn Sedlacek and Kyle Snyder also fall into the young pitching/high potential category.
"These young guys continue to grow," Baird said. "Even if it's a negative outing, a lot of times you see the growth." Robert Falkoff
"It's reality," veteran set-up man Jason Grimsley said. "I'm throwing 95 mph and I'm the low man on the totem pole."
The Royals' hope for improving considerably on a 100-loss season largely revolves around the issue of whether the young pitching can make that huge leap from potential to performance. It's one thing to have good stuff. It's another thing to thrive at the Major League level.
"At some point," Grimsley said, "you stop being a prospect and just go ahead and do it."
Three young pitchers in particular - Jeremy Affeldt, Runelvys Hernandez and Mike MacDougal - could have a huge impact on on Kansas City's fortunes. If the regular season started today, Affeldt and Hernandez would likely be the No. 1 and No. 2 starters for the Royals.
MacDougal, who can consistently throw in the 100 mph range, is in the mix for a prominent late-relief role. Although club officials say it'll be a closer-by-committee approach through the first month of the regular season, MacDougal could be the eventual successor to Roberto Hernandez, if MacDougal's control and mechanics hold up in pressure situations.
Want a gauge on how the Royals are doing? Just check the progress of those three young pitchers in particular. They should represent a barometer of whether Kansas City is on the right course in its rebuilding effort.
"I categorize it as those guys have very good stuff, plenty enough stuff to win at the Major League level," Royals general manager Allard Baird said. "But it still comes down to pitch ability. If you see an Affeldt or MacDougal get ahead in the count, they are very difficult to hit with their stuff.
"But if they get behind in the count, the hitter can sit "dead red" and the pressure is then on the pitcher. So, we have to have our young guys be pitch efficient. They have to be down in the strike zone and they have to pitch ahead in the count. It's growth and maturity."
Through Friday, Affeldt had worked a two-inning stint and a three-inning stint in Spring Training. The two runs he gave up came on a two-run homer by Seattle's Edgar Martinez.
"That ball may still be going," Affeldt said. "But I'm not the first guy to give up a homer to Edgar Martinez. Overall, I'm very pleased with what has happened so far. I'm using all my pitches and feeling good out there."
Affeldt was constantly plagued by a blister problem on the middle finger of his pitching hand last year. But he's using a band-aid type covering in warmup sessions now that reduces the friction. So far, Affeldt has had no blister problems, but that will be something to watch as Affeldt builds his pitch count to 70 and beyond.
If Affeldt can take his turn every five days, Pena will be delighted.
"This kid has the stuff to eventually become a 20-game winner," Pena said. "I really believe that."
Hernandez allowed just one run in his first five innings this spring. Opponents hit .200 against him during that span.
"His stuff may not be quite as good as the other two guys (Affeldt and MacDougal), but Hernandez has always had pitchability," Baird said. "He battles, never gives in and he's not afraid to throw an off-speed pitch behind in the count."
Both Affeldt and Hernandez have stated their aspirations for being the Opening Day starter on March 31 against the White Sox. They certainly appear to be the top two in Pena's rotation plans. But that would mean they'll be matched against the other club's top pitchers and may therefore not get a lot of runs with which to work.
Can Affeldt and Hernandez mentally handle a lack of run support? MacDougal is making a transition from starter to finisher. His winter ball transition was encouraging to Royals officials, but can he handle ninth-inning pressure in a Major League park?
If Affeldt, Hernandez and MacDougal come through, a lot of things could fall into place within the pitching staff. Left-hander Chris George, the Royals' minor league Pitcher of the Year in 2001, has been impressive in Spring Training and is bidding for a starting spot.
Miguel Asencio, Ryan Bukvich, D.J. Carrasco, Jeremy Hill, Scott Mullen, Brad Voyles, Kris Wilson, Shawn Sedlacek and Kyle Snyder also fall into the young pitching/high potential category.
"These young guys continue to grow," Baird said. "Even if it's a negative outing, a lot of times you see the growth." Robert Falkoff
