Baseball Prospectus 1996
The fly ball that Andy Van Slyke hit to Darryl Motley to close the 1985 Series closed a chapter in Royals history, however, and the Royals have spent the last 10 years more as a symbol of baseball mediocrity than baseball excellence. Winning the title in 1985 tricked the Royals into thinking that the glory days of the late 70s had come again to Kansas City, and that they would be able to continue dominating the historically-weak AL West for many years to come. The reality, of course, was that 1985 was the last gasp of a team whose once-great offense was a mere shell of itself, a team which owed everything to a great pitching staff and an otherworldly final month by George Brett. The 1976-80 Royals featured a lineup that averaged 788 runs and 93 wins over that five-year span; not once in the last fifteen years has any Royals team matched either of those numbers. The World Championship team featured an anemic offense that finished 13th in the AL in runs scored, and the Royals have consistently finished in the bottom half of the AL in that category ever since.
The Royals have tried a variety of tactics to reclaim the lost greatness of the late '70s. Following their most successful season since 1985, the 1989 team which rode Bret Saberhagen, the Royals decided to make up for a dozen years of inactivity in the free-agent market in one offseason. The Royals succeeded only in proving that money is no substitute for intelligence in the front office, as they ignored the team's biggest weakness - the offense - in an attempt to upgrade what was a stellar pitching staff with Storm "Run Support" Davis and Mark Davis' evil twin brother.
When that attempt crashed and burned, the Royals tried a new tack. They made a big trade in an attempt to beef up their offense Saberhagen for Gregg Jefferies, Keith Miller, and Kevin McReynolds. When the Royals saw how bad their defense had become with the influx of ex-Mets, they made an ill-advised trade to address that Jefferies for Felix Jose. And, with the Royals now a hodgepodge of questionable talent that wasn't going anywhere, they tried the free agent market again in an attempt to build a scrappy pitching-and-defense team that resembled that "great" Royals team of 1985. Greg Gagne and Wally Joyner were signed, Jose Lind was acquired in trade, the Royals offense continued to suffer, and the team continued to finish around .500.
But somewhere along the way the Royals came up with the novel idea of building up their farm system, which was ranked last by Baseball America after the 1991 season, and funnelling money and time into scouting, signing, and developing players. It was a plan that required patience, a trait the Royals had shown little of in recent years, but faced with an alternative of continued mediocrity, the Royals embraced it. And in 1992 the Royals accomplished a draft coup, landing Michael Tucker, Jim Pittsley, and Johnny Damon, top prospects all, with their first three picks. The Royals, always good at developing young pitchers, started delivering them by the truckload. And led by a newly aggressive scouting plan in Latin America, the Royals even found themselves a number of good young hitters.
The result of all this was apparent last year, when Baseball America named the Royals their Organization of the Year. And in 1995, for the first time, the products of the farm system began to bear fruit at the major league level. Tucker was in the lineup on Opening Day, and while he was overmatched in his early season trial, hitting just .207 before being sent down, Tucker hit like a beast following an late-season recall. Joe Vitiello hit five of his seven homers in September and impressed the Royals so much that they traded Wally Joyner to make room for him. And the crown jewel of the organization, Johnny Damon, did nothing to diminish the hype that has surrounded him since he was drafted, as he hit .282 with power, speed, and good defense after being handed the centerfield job in mid-August.
The Royals' youth movement was able to proceed only because of the astute hiring of Bob Boone as manager a year ago. His predecessor, Hal McRae, was an adequate manager in most respects but suffered from one damning problem: he had absolutely no faith in minor leaguers, content instead to run out "proven veterans" who had trouble remembering their 35th birthdays. Boone came in with the assigned project of giving the young players a chance, promptly swept aside all the Dave Hendersons and Hubie Brookses who had clogged roster spots in Kansas City for years, and gave guys like Tom Goodwin and Jon Nunnally a chance. There were mistakes made along the way - Boone gave Brent Mayne an entire season to prove he was an inadequate major league catcher, and the Royals inexplicably gave up on Dwayne Hosey but the Royals ended 1995 far more optimistic about their future than when they began it.
The task of molding their young talent into a contending ballclub is far from over, however. The Royals' roster has undergone wholesale changes since they last took the field, as most of last year's starting infield has left town, along with an eight-year veteran of the starting rotation. But these losses have merely sped up the youth movement in Kansas City; Gary Gaetti and Greg Gagne, who both signed as free agents elsewhere, are 37 and 34, respectively, and Wally Joyner is no spring chicken at 33. Their replacements will probably be Joe Randa, Jose Offerman, and Vitiello, none of whom is older than 27.
The Royals' most unsettled situation appears to be the starting rotation. Tom Gordon's departure means that the only guarantees are Kevin Appier, who the Royals for some reason have yet to sign to a long-term deal, and Mark Gubicza, who at 33 has been pitching on fumes for the last six years and is strictly a year-to-year proposition at this point. The Royals have a smorgasbord of candidates for the other three spots, but none of them are very appetizing. Chris Haney, Jason Jacome, Dilson Torres, and Mel Bunch are probably the most likely candidates to start, and if phenom Jim Pittsley is fully recovered from elbow surgery, he could have a job by mid-season. Tim Belcher was signed to absorb innings in the #3 slot, and is about as reliable an item as Gubicza.
The Royals have done a tremendous job of infusing youth and ability to a team which had precious little of either for years. The Royals now need the patience and the persistence to stick with their plan, accept that they are unlikely to contend for another season, and focus on putting a team on the field in 1997 which has a legitimate shot at winning 95 games.
J.T. BRUETT 1968 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 POR 340 83 4 1 1 31 16 6 .244 .307 .271 .212 72 27 1992 POR 278 64 8 2 1 51 23 9 .230 .350 .284 .238 66 31 1992 MIN 76 20 5 0 0 6 6 3 .263 .317 .329 .236 18 8 1993 POR 311 85 10 3 2 44 9 7 .273 .363 .344 .254 79 38 1994 CHR 163 38 4 1 1 13 2 0 .233 .290 .288 .206 34 12 1994 SLC 144 32 3 0 2 24 6 4 .222 .333 .285 .223 32 14 1995 OMA 127 31 4 1 1 16 7 4 .244 .329 .315 .233 30 13Was a promising player for the Twins a couple of years ago, but he failed to develop, and now is lost among the horde of career AAA outfielders competing for the one or two major league jobs available to them each year.
DARREN BURTON 1973 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 APP 539 117 18 3 3 25 18 7 .217 .252 .278 .187 101 32 1992 BCY 445 96 10 3 5 42 11 7 .216 .283 .285 .200 89 32 1993 WIL 557 131 12 3 6 38 20 6 .235 .284 .300 .211 118 44 1994 MEM 379 88 9 1 3 31 7 3 .232 .290 .285 .204 77 28 1995 ORL 224 64 11 2 3 23 6 3 .286 .352 .393 .265 59 30 1995 WIC 161 31 5 1 1 9 6 3 .193 .235 .255 .167 27 8Five years ago he was considered the best hitting prospect in the system, which tells you just how bad the Royals' farm system was then. After waiting for Burton to develop, the Royals tired of him and the Cubs picked him up on waivers. Of course, he then played the best baseball of his career, and the Royals hurried to re-sign him this off-season. Still not much of a hitting prospect, but he does everything else well, so he might turn into a fourth outfielder someday.
EDGAR CACERES 1964 2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 ELP 377 103 10 3 3 21 6 1 .273 .312 .340 .235 89 37 1993 NWO 420 130 12 1 4 32 9 4 .310 .358 .371 .264 111 52 1994 OMA 235 61 6 2 1 14 5 2 .260 .301 .315 .221 52 20 1995 OMA 106 19 1 1 0 7 3 1 .179 .230 .208 .139 15 3 1995 KCR 117 30 4 2 1 7 3 3 .256 .298 .350 .227 27 11One of a number of replacement players used by the Royals last year. Caceres got off to a hot start, as he threatened to have the term "Texas Leaguer" renamed after him, but he predictably returned to form, and hit just .155 after the All-Star Break. No future.
STANTON CAMERON 1970 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 SLU 243 42 5 0 3 37 1 1 .173 .282 .230 .173 42 13 1992 FRD 428 99 10 1 17 71 2 2 .231 .341 .379 .253 108 53 1993 BOW 393 104 16 1 17 71 5 5 .265 .377 .440 .283 111 63 1994 CAR 332 98 18 1 10 30 7 1 .295 .354 .446 .282 94 50 1994 BUF 139 24 3 0 3 8 3 0 .173 .218 .259 .159 22 6Signed as a minor league free agent, which is surprising because Cameron is exactly the sort of player the Royals used to detest. He doesn't hit for average or run the bases well, but he draws walks and hits for power, so much so that he could have started for a lot of major league teams in 1993-94. Including the Royals. Last year was a lost season for him, but he's only 26, and you don't have to project whether he can hit in the majors he's already proven that he can.
WES CHAMBERLAIN 1966 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 PHP 389 101 16 3 14 31 9 3 .260 .314 .424 .259 101 50 1992 SWB 126 39 4 2 3 10 5 2 .310 .360 .444 .284 36 19 1992 PHP 278 78 13 1 12 12 4 0 .281 .310 .464 .270 75 38 1993 PHP 284 81 18 2 11 17 2 1 .285 .326 .479 .277 79 41 1994 BOS 162 41 7 1 3 10 0 2 .253 .297 .364 .228 37 15 1994 PHP 69 19 4 0 2 3 0 0 .275 .306 .420 .254 18 8 1995 PAW 180 59 11 1 9 3 5 2 .328 .339 .550 .301 54 31 1995 BOS 42 5 1 0 1 3 1 0 .119 .178 .214 .100 4 1 1996 PRJ 281 74 14 1 11 18 6 3 .263 .308 .438 .260 73 36Had a monster season for Pawtucket, which prompted the Royals to trade for him, then give him Dwayne Hosey's job. The Royals released Hosey a week later, which is one of the dumbest roster decisions the team has made since they let Jeff Conine go. Hosey is ten times the player that Chamberlain is, but Chamberlain likes to swing at every pitch, which is a highly-appreciated skill in Kansas City. Chamberlain is a platoon player at best, and the Royals have a better one in...
BRENT COOKSON 1970 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 CLN 151 29 2 1 5 15 5 2 .192 .265 .318 .205 31 12 1992 SJO 254 64 4 1 9 14 5 3 .252 .291 .382 .236 60 26 1993 SJO 235 54 6 1 10 29 8 4 .230 .314 .391 .248 58 28 1994 SHV 208 66 11 1 10 15 4 1 .317 .363 .524 .305 63 37 1994 PHX 42 10 1 1 0 4 0 1 .238 .304 .310 .209 9 3 1995 OMA 133 49 6 0 4 16 0 0 .368 .436 .504 .330 44 26 1995 PHX 203 55 6 2 11 22 3 3 .271 .342 .483 .280 57 31 1995 KCR 35 5 1 0 0 2 1 0 .143 .189 .171 .070 2 0 1996 PRJ 462 126 18 2 19 48 1 1 .273 .341 .444 .273 126 66...who was pilfered from the Giants for Enrique Burgos during the season. Cookson is perhaps the Royals' most intriguing hitting prospect; he got a late start, but he's hit everywhere he's played, including a .401 mark for Omaha before the Royals called him up. He didn't get much playing time after the callup, but at the very least he deserves to platoon in right field this year Now with Boston.
JOHNNY DAMON 1974 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1993 ROK 518 128 15 6 4 33 30 10 .247 .292 .322 .225 117 48 1994 WIL 483 139 15 7 3 48 31 7 .288 .352 .366 .266 128 64 1995 WIC 411 120 8 4 12 55 22 8 .292 .376 .418 .284 117 64 1995 KCR 188 55 11 5 2 9 9 0 .293 .325 .436 .275 52 26 1996 PRJ 611 208 17 11 13 58 38 11 .340 .398 .468 .309 189 110Clearly the best hitter the Royals have developed since George Brett. Interestingly enough, they both hit .282 as 21-year-old rookies. In fact, Damon is a better hitter now than Brett was at the same age; Damon has shown more power and walked more, plus he plays better defense.
Of course, Brett's development from the time he was 21 was hardly typical, but the fact that Damon can even be mentioned in the same breath with him illustrates the breadth of Damon's skills. He can dominate a game with his bat, legs, and glove. Right now he looks like another Kenny Lofton, but with a higher upside.
LINO DIAZ 1971 3B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1993 EUG 189 40 5 1 0 3 2 1 .212 .224 .249 .153 29 7 1994 ROK 417 111 12 1 3 22 6 3 .266 .303 .321 .223 93 36 1995 WIL 179 53 5 2 1 9 1 3 .296 .330 .363 .243 44 19 1995 WIC 219 66 10 2 4 11 1 2 .301 .335 .420 .264 58 28Strictly a singles hitter, but hits enough of them to be valuable. His fielding is a question, but the Royals have less depth at third base than any other position, so if he can bump his average to .315 or so, the Royals may just overlook his defense. After all, they lived with Kevin Seitzer for five years.
SAL FASANO 1972 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1993 EUG 182 44 4 1 6 8 2 2 .242 .274 .374 .225 41 17 1994 ROK 349 89 6 1 16 23 5 2 .255 .301 .415 .250 87 41 1994 WIL 92 28 5 0 4 10 0 0 .304 .373 .489 .298 27 15 1995 WIL 91 21 3 1 1 4 0 0 .231 .263 .319 .202 18 6 1995 WIC 311 79 10 1 14 21 4 4 .254 .301 .428 .251 78 37 1996 PRJ 437 113 11 1 21 30 3 2 .259 .306 .432 .257 112 54The Royals have two of the game's best catching prospects in Fasano and Mike Sweeney. Fasano struggled mightily at the beginning of the season, but after a mid-year trip to extended spring training, he got his game back in order. He never had a good defensive reputation, but stunned everyone with his handling and throwing skills in the AFL, and should back up Macfarlane to start the season. He's in a tough spot, because by the time he wrestles he job from Macfarlane, chances are Sweeney will take it away from both of them.
TOM GOODWIN 1969 CF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 ABQ 492 104 13 2 1 44 34 14 .211 .276 .252 .194 95 33 1992 ABQ 309 80 7 2 3 28 19 7 .259 .320 .324 .237 73 32 1992 LAD 74 19 2 1 0 7 7 3 .257 .321 .311 .235 17 8 1993 ABQ 276 53 2 2 1 23 13 3 .192 .254 .225 .169 47 13 1994 OMA 425 124 10 4 2 21 47 16 .292 .325 .348 .252 107 51 1995 KCR 478 142 10 2 3 32 66 22 .297 .341 .345 .260 124 62 1996 PRJ 460 127 13 4 2 32 53 17 .276 .323 .335 .249 115 54After years of failing trials with the Dodgers, Goodwin finally turned into the speedy singles hitter he was projected as years ago. As you can see, Goodwin's sudden improvement actually occurred at Omaha in 1994 - the similarity of his last two seasons is actually quite amazing.
The problem is that Goodwin still isn't all that valuable a hitter. He has no power to speak of, doesn't get on-base enough to use his speed, and gets caught stealing so often his stolen bases don't help much. With Tucker, Damon, Nunnally, and Cookson all fighting for playing time, the Royals should explore trading Goodwin to a team that needs a centerfielder.
JEFF GROTEWOLD 1966 DH YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 SWB 275 66 10 2 5 17 0 1 .240 .284 .345 .219 60 24 1992 SWB 51 14 2 1 0 6 0 0 .275 .351 .353 .252 13 6 1992 PHI 66 15 1 0 4 9 0 0 .227 .320 .424 .257 17 9 1993 POR 148 33 2 1 5 23 2 1 .223 .327 .351 .240 36 16 1994 SBR 116 31 4 0 4 11 0 2 .267 .331 .405 .253 29 14 1995 OMA 345 93 11 1 12 75 0 2 .270 .400 .412 .286 99 56 1995 KCR 35 10 0 0 1 9 0 0 .286 .432 .371 .293 10 6Another one of the Royals' replacement players, and the only one who actually has major league talent. Grotewold actually had a fantastic season, but most of his value is locked up in his walks, where most major league teams will never find it, and the stigma attached to him ruins what was left of his chances anyway.
SHANE HALTER 1970 SS YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 EUG 245 41 6 1 0 29 4 3 .167 .255 .200 .144 35 8 1992 APP 320 69 11 1 3 27 10 4 .216 .277 .284 .200 64 23 1992 BCY 123 25 2 0 1 20 3 2 .203 .315 .244 .199 25 9 1993 WIL 216 55 4 3 3 21 4 2 .255 .321 .343 .237 51 22 1993 MEM 308 69 4 0 3 24 4 4 .224 .280 .266 .189 58 19 1994 MEM 500 101 15 1 5 35 8 8 .202 .254 .266 .175 88 26 1995 OMA 387 79 13 2 6 38 3 3 .204 .275 .295 .197 76 27
BOB HAMELIN 1968 1B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 OMA 129 24 1 1 4 12 0 0 .186 .255 .302 .189 24 8 1992 BCY 45 11 2 1 0 2 0 0 .244 .277 .333 .214 10 4 1992 MEM 125 41 6 0 5 23 1 2 .328 .432 .496 .319 40 25 1992 OMA 96 19 3 1 4 12 0 0 .198 .287 .375 .228 22 10 1993 OMA 474 116 13 2 22 75 9 3 .245 .348 .420 .269 128 68 1993 KCR 49 11 3 0 2 5 0 0 .224 .296 .408 .243 12 6 1994 KCR 302 82 21 1 19 51 5 3 .272 .377 .536 .307 93 58 1995 OMA 117 32 9 0 7 29 3 3 .274 .418 .530 .316 37 25 1995 KCR 208 37 8 1 6 24 0 1 .178 .263 .312 .195 41 14 1996 PRJ 284 72 7 1 10 45 0 2 .254 .356 .391 .262 74 38Followed up one of the best seasons in team history with one of the worst; his .168 average was the worst in the majors since Williams hit .159 in 1988. The problem may have been as much mental as it was physical. Hamelin's numbers in Omaha were quite similar to his Rookie of the Year performance in 1994, and his troubles with Kansas City appeared to stem from the fact that he redefined his own strike zone to include only pitches that were off the plate or below his knees. Starting 1996 without a sub-.200 average mocking him every day may help the Hammer regain his confidence, but the words "Kevin Maas" come to mind too.
DAVID HOWARD 1967 SS YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 OMA 42 5 0 0 0 6 1 0 .119 .229 .119 .027 1 0 1991 KCR 237 55 3 0 2 15 4 1 .232 .278 .270 .194 46 15 1992 OMA 68 8 0 0 0 3 1 0 .118 .155 .118 **** -9 -2 1992 KCR 220 52 6 2 1 14 4 4 .236 .282 .295 .201 44 16 1993 OMA 155 36 3 2 0 7 4 1 .232 .265 .277 .193 30 10 1994 KCR 81 17 2 0 1 10 3 2 .210 .297 .272 .202 16 6 1995 KCR 254 65 7 3 1 21 8 1 .256 .313 .319 .231 59 24 1996 PRJ 231 55 6 1 2 8 6 3 .238 .264 .299 .199 46 16Howard still appears to be blackmailing GM Herk Robinson with those pictures of Robinson with J. Edgar Hoover. Three years after he was protected over Jeff Conine in the Expansion Draft, Howard has parlayed a .585 OPS into a two-year contract, while Kevin Appier still languishes without a long-term deal. Apparently, the light that has begun to illuminate the Royals' front office has yet to send a beam over Howard's statistics.
KEITH HUGHES 1964 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 COH 423 108 14 4 8 47 7 5 .255 .330 .364 .246 104 48 1992 POR 219 56 8 2 5 20 5 3 .256 .318 .379 .246 54 25 1993 IND 280 77 19 3 10 37 6 0 .275 .360 .471 .290 81 46 1995 OMA 336 88 14 2 8 29 5 2 .262 .321 .387 .250 84 39
KEITH LOCKHART 1965 2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 NAS 413 103 19 2 7 16 4 5 .249 .277 .356 .220 91 36 1992 TAC 361 95 18 2 6 21 4 2 .263 .304 .374 .239 86 38 1993 LOU 466 136 16 2 10 56 4 3 .292 .368 .399 .272 127 64 1994 LVG 314 82 7 2 5 21 3 3 .261 .307 .344 .230 72 30 1994 SDP 43 9 3 0 1 4 1 0 .209 .277 .349 .223 10 4 1995 OMA 144 50 5 1 3 15 2 3 .347 .409 .458 .302 43 24 1995 KCR 273 91 15 3 5 10 11 1 .333 .357 .465 .294 80 43 1996 PRJ 498 138 22 4 10 46 10 6 .277 .338 .398 .261 130 63Nothing in Lockhart's minor league record foreshadowed his 1995 season, which was simply amazing. He hit for a terrific average for the entire season, showed adequate secondary skills for a middle infielder, and was an underrated defensive second baseman.
Of course, he also was 30 years old, and should come crashing back to earth this year. Still, if Lockhart's average drops 50 points, he's a valuable player. He has shown signs of hitting talent in the past 1993 in particular and the Royals have few other options. If Bip Roberts is healthy and starts at second base, Lockhart may platoon with Joe Randa at third, where he is only adequate on defense. He deserves to start somewhere.
KEVIN LONG 1967 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 MEM 419 110 16 2 3 34 20 7 .263 .318 .332 .237 99 43 1992 OMA 313 68 13 2 1 26 9 4 .217 .277 .281 .198 62 22 1993 MEM 303 72 9 4 1 30 6 7 .238 .306 .304 .214 65 25 1993 OMA 50 12 0 0 0 2 3 0 .240 .269 .240 .194 10 3 1995 WIC 245 59 8 1 1 33 8 3 .241 .331 .294 .228 56 24 1995 OMA 63 13 2 0 0 5 1 2 .206 .265 .238 .164 10 3Noted for being a replacement player in the spring, where the level of play was so bad that George Brett once said to Long, "It's good to see someone around here knows how to play." Well, technically.
RYAN LONG 1973 3B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 EUG 183 29 3 1 0 0 2 2 .158 .158 .186 **** -12 -1 1993 ROK 398 99 13 3 6 7 9 4 .249 .262 .342 .214 85 32 1994 WIL 499 119 14 3 6 9 5 2 .238 .252 .315 .198 99 33 1995 WIC 337 66 11 1 5 7 4 3 .196 .212 .279 .160 54 14The "other" Long is only known for a pathological aversion to bases on balls. Something tells me he once had Rob Picciolo as a hitting coach.
MITCH LYDEN 1965 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 TOL 341 74 8 1 15 7 0 0 .217 .233 .378 .210 71 27 1992 TID 301 77 9 1 11 10 1 2 .256 .280 .402 .236 71 31 1993 EDM 153 39 7 0 6 3 1 1 .255 .269 .418 .238 36 16 1994 EDM 277 70 11 1 11 9 2 0 .253 .276 .419 .243 67 30 1995 OMA 233 54 4 1 9 11 0 0 .232 .266 .373 .222 52 21
MIKE MACFARLANE 1964 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 KCR 268 78 19 2 13 17 1 0 .291 .333 .522 .291 78 43 1992 KCR 403 99 26 3 19 29 2 5 .246 .296 .467 .258 104 52 1993 KCR 384 106 23 1 19 37 3 5 .276 .340 .490 .281 108 59 1994 KCR 308 76 14 3 11 30 1 0 .247 .314 .419 .255 79 38 1995 BOS 362 84 14 1 14 33 3 1 .232 .296 .392 .240 87 39 1996 PRJ 465 120 16 2 19 46 2 1 .258 .325 .424 .261 122 60The Royals never appreciated him until they gave Brent Mayne his job for a year. There are some things he doesn't do well, particularly hitting for average, but he's a fine player, and a more-than-adequate stopgap until Mike Sweeney is ready.
FELIX MARTINEZ 1974 SS YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1994 WIL 407 97 7 2 1 21 13 6 .238 .276 .273 .196 80 27 1995 WIC 419 90 10 2 2 24 35 12 .215 .257 .263 .194 81 28The scouts love him for his potential, but he still has a lot of work to do. He's fast and a great bunter, but he can't hit yet, and while he has terrific range, he made 50 errors last season on an artificial turf infield. Could use another year at AA, and at his age there's no reason to rush him.
RAMON MARTINEZ 1970 2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 AUG 350 73 3 1 1 2 14 4 .209 .213 .231 .149 52 12 1992 SLM 531 120 10 5 2 20 20 10 .226 .254 .275 .187 99 32 1993 HDS 403 79 4 3 2 28 21 6 .196 .248 .236 .172 69 20 1994 PME 503 103 10 1 1 20 22 8 .205 .235 .235 .162 81 22 1995 WIC 386 88 14 1 2 33 10 5 .228 .289 .285 .204 79 29This Martinez is also highly-thought of for his defense and bat-handling abilities, and has shown more offensive skills than his double-play partner and namesake. Unfortunately for Ramon, the Royals had good second-base prospects at every level last season - Chris Stynes, Sergio Nunez, and Jed Hansen are the others - so he might be squeezed for playing time the next few years.
HENRY MERCEDES 1970 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 MOD 392 80 8 1 4 42 3 3 .204 .281 .260 .186 73 24 1992 TAC 246 53 8 1 1 20 1 2 .215 .274 .268 .185 46 14 1993 TAC 252 51 6 1 3 25 1 1 .202 .274 .270 .186 47 15 1993 OAK 47 11 1 0 0 2 2 1 .234 .265 .255 .185 9 3 1994 TAC 202 33 4 1 0 11 1 1 .163 .207 .193 .093 19 2 1995 OMA 272 53 8 0 8 21 2 0 .195 .253 .312 .195 53 18 1995 KCR 43 12 1 0 0 7 0 0 .279 .380 .302 .251 11 5Signed to a minor-league contract for 1996. The Royals put more stock in the 43 at-bats he had for Kansas City than in the 8 years of minor league data which say Mercedes absolutely cannot hit.
JOSE MOTA 1965 2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 LVG 363 82 7 1 1 42 11 6 .226 .306 .259 .203 74 27 1991 SDP 37 9 0 0 0 2 0 0 .243 .282 .243 .181 7 2 1992 OMA 470 103 5 0 3 37 21 6 .219 .276 .249 .190 89 29 1993 OMA 326 83 6 1 2 31 30 9 .255 .319 .298 .234 76 33 1994 OMA 356 86 8 3 1 44 23 9 .242 .325 .289 .228 81 35 1995 OMA 85 24 3 0 0 6 1 2 .282 .330 .318 .228 19 8Suffered the most fortuitous injury of the year, when he went out with a groin injury soon after becoming the Royals' first replacement player. He was on the DL all season, which meant he collected a major league paycheck all season in addition to a postseason share. He may not see another paycheck with a comma for a long time.
ROD MYERS 1973 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 APP 225 41 4 1 3 27 12 4 .182 .270 .249 .187 42 14 1993 ROK 483 107 11 2 7 40 25 9 .222 .281 .296 .210 101 39 1994 WIL 470 112 11 2 7 51 22 8 .238 .313 .315 .229 108 46 1995 WIC 488 125 12 3 6 25 25 9 .256 .292 .330 .227 111 46Sometimes compared by scouts to Tony Gwynn. There are some similarities; they're both left-handed outfielders who don't hit for much power or walk much. Myers is young and has a great swing, but right now he looks more like Chris Gwynn. Could still turn into Luis Gonzalez.
LES NORMAN 1969 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 EUG 104 19 1 1 1 4 1 0 .183 .213 .240 .141 15 3 1992 APP 219 66 8 1 3 14 4 3 .301 .343 .388 .260 57 27 1992 MEM 276 72 11 3 3 20 4 2 .261 .311 .355 .237 65 28 1993 MEM 486 130 20 3 13 40 9 6 .267 .323 .401 .254 124 59 1994 MEM 389 96 12 2 11 32 6 4 .247 .304 .373 .238 92 41 1994 OMA 38 7 1 0 1 6 0 1 .184 .295 .289 .196 7 3 1995 OMA 308 80 12 2 7 17 6 3 .260 .298 .380 .240 74 32 1995 KCR 40 10 0 1 0 5 0 1 .250 .333 .300 .219 9 3Hit .333 in the Arizona Fall League. Hey, if it worked for Henry Mercedes....
JON NUNNALLY 1972 RF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1993 CGA 447 89 6 1 9 42 9 6 .199 .268 .277 .188 84 28 1994 KIN 491 117 17 1 12 49 17 8 .238 .307 .350 .234 115 51 1995 KCR 301 77 16 6 12 47 8 5 .256 .356 .468 .282 85 49 1996 PRJ 566 146 32 3 14 75 9 6 .258 .345 .399 .262 148 75While 1995 was certainly a big improvement over his previous seasons, the numbers above show that his success as a Rule V draft pick shouldn't have been completely unexpected. He floundered at season's end, hitting under .200 after August 1st, but he compensated by drawing a ton of walks. His troubles continued in the AFL, though, where he hit .181. There's a lot of evidence to suggest his first three months were a fluke, so beware.
JOSE OFFERMAN 1969 SS YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 ABQ 277 64 6 2 0 36 22 10 .231 .319 .267 .219 61 25 1991 LAD 115 25 2 0 0 25 3 2 .217 .357 .235 .218 25 10 1992 LAD 547 160 24 9 2 62 25 15 .293 .365 .380 .266 146 73 1993 LAD 593 162 15 5 2 71 32 13 .273 .351 .325 .249 148 69 1994 ABQ 212 57 3 2 1 30 8 3 .269 .360 .316 .249 53 24 1994 LAD 245 55 6 4 1 38 2 1 .224 .329 .294 .223 55 22 1995 LAD 434 132 14 5 3 69 2 7 .304 .400 .380 .277 120 62 1996 PRJ 469 136 16 6 2 87 15 11 .290 .401 .362 .276 129 69Exactly the sort of player who blossoms in Kansas City. Offerman's defense had become the symbol of the Dodgers' underachieving ways, and became the focal point for the entire LA press. Offerman's terrific on-base skills were ignored in an avalanche of boos everytime he booted a ground ball. Offerman is not a very sure-handed fielder, but he has good range and the offense he provides from shortstop justifies his defensive shortcomings.
Playing in Kansas City, where the media is not nearly so large nor so cruel, and benefitting from a well-kept playing field, Offerman's error totals could drop to around 30 a season, and the good visibility of Kauffman Stadium could turn him into a .300/.400/.400 type hitter, which would make him the best shortstop in Royals' history. If Bob Boone handles him well, he could blossom at the top of the lineup, giving the Royals (along with Damon) a pair of great table-setters.
JOE RANDA 1970 3B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 EUG 280 75 8 1 6 25 3 1 .268 .328 .368 .248 69 32 1992 APP 271 65 5 0 4 22 3 1 .240 .297 .303 .213 58 22 1992 BCY 193 46 3 0 2 11 3 2 .238 .279 .285 .198 38 13 1993 MEM 506 135 18 3 9 31 7 4 .267 .309 .368 .240 121 53 1994 OMA 452 120 20 1 8 27 5 2 .265 .307 .367 .239 108 47 1995 OMA 229 57 8 2 5 21 3 2 .249 .312 .367 .239 55 24 1995 KCR 70 13 1 0 1 5 0 1 .186 .240 .243 .150 10 3The heir apparent to Gary Gaetti, but the acquisition of Roberts muddies the picture. He's really not all that good a hitter, but Lockhart has never been able to hit left-handers, so a natural platoon could form. Randa is considered a Gold Glove-caliber third baseman, and can play second as needed, so he may turn into Bill Pecota, but that's about it.
HAROLD REYNOLDS 1961 2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 SEA 633 169 31 5 4 70 36 8 .267 .340 .351 .255 161 77 1992 SEA 460 119 23 4 3 43 17 11 .259 .322 .346 .238 110 49 1993 BAL 480 122 16 3 4 62 15 10 .254 .339 .325 .239 115 51 1994 CAL 205 47 6 1 0 20 12 8 .229 .298 .268 .204 42 16 1995 OMA 108 19 3 1 1 12 3 3 .176 .258 .250 .170 18 5
BIP ROBERTS 1964 2B/OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 SDP 433 131 15 3 3 37 25 9 .303 .357 .372 .266 115 57 1992 CIN 544 190 37 6 6 67 46 15 .349 .421 .472 .318 173 105 1993 CIN 293 70 8 0 2 38 27 6 .239 .326 .287 .235 69 31 1994 SDP 401 130 11 3 2 40 24 8 .324 .385 .382 .281 113 59 1995 SDP 299 96 7 1 2 17 22 2 .321 .358 .371 .275 82 41Roberts has never liked playing second base, but the Royals have absolutely no space in their outfield, so Boone needs to stand firm and give Roberts a take-it-or-leave-it offer. Despite being a switch-hitter, the Royals may want to consider platooning him over the last five years, he's hit .265 vs LHPs, and .312 vs RHPs. If he's used well, Bip could provide an offensive threat at a position the Royals have not recently gotten much production from.
MANDY ROMERO 1968 C/1B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 CAR 332 66 7 0 4 35 1 1 .199 .275 .256 .181 60 19 1992 CAR 274 55 8 0 4 25 1 2 .201 .268 .274 .183 50 16 1993 BUF 136 31 5 1 1 6 1 0 .228 .261 .301 .196 27 9 1995 WIC 431 114 14 1 16 55 2 2 .265 .348 .413 .266 115 58Came back from the dead to lead Wichita's offense. He doesn't appear to have a future, but if he stays on for a few years he might be offered a job as a coach someday.
STEVE SISCO 1970 2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 EUG 264 61 4 1 0 14 8 5 .231 .270 .254 .183 48 15 1993 ROK 466 111 12 2 2 27 12 5 .238 .280 .285 .201 94 33 1994 WIL 277 67 5 2 2 28 4 4 .242 .311 .296 .215 60 23 1995 WIC 204 52 7 1 2 12 2 1 .255 .296 .328 .222 45 18
RUEBEN SMILEY 1969 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 SHV 320 66 6 2 4 41 23 5 .206 .296 .275 .215 69 28 1992 SHV 321 78 8 2 7 19 15 4 .243 .285 .346 .229 73 31 1992 PHX 37 7 3 0 0 2 0 1 .189 .231 .270 .155 6 1 1993 PHX 301 76 9 2 6 11 17 3 .252 .279 .355 .233 70 30 1994 PHX 219 55 6 2 1 11 9 5 .251 .287 .311 .214 47 18 1995 WIC 103 21 2 1 1 6 1 2 .204 .248 .272 .171 18 5 1995 LVG 94 17 2 1 2 6 6 2 .181 .230 .287 .186 17 6
ANDY STEWART 1971 1B/C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 BCY 282 61 11 1 4 3 3 2 .216 .225 .305 .180 51 15 1992 BCY 290 65 7 1 4 18 3 4 .224 .269 .297 .195 56 19 1993 WIL 365 87 12 1 5 21 5 1 .238 .280 .318 .212 77 29 1994 WIL 366 107 15 1 10 22 0 1 .292 .332 .421 .264 97 47 1994 MEM 72 15 1 0 0 3 0 0 .208 .240 .222 .144 10 2 1995 WIC 212 47 9 0 3 8 1 1 .222 .250 .307 .191 40 13 1995 OMA 153 42 4 0 3 12 0 1 .275 .327 .359 .242 37 16He better work on his throws behind the plate, because as a first baseman, he has no value. As a catcher, he might develop into a third-string backup, which isn't high-glamour work but enough to pay the bills.
CHAD STRICKLAND 1972 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 EUG 122 15 1 0 1 6 0 0 .123 .164 .156 **** -13 -2 1991 APP 82 11 2 0 1 0 1 1 .134 .134 .195 **** -7 -1 1992 APP 398 77 7 1 2 4 1 2 .193 .201 .231 .123 49 9 1993 WIL 413 86 10 3 1 18 3 2 .208 .241 .254 .164 68 18 1994 MEM 381 75 9 1 5 16 1 2 .197 .229 .265 .160 61 16 1995 WIC 181 34 4 0 1 3 0 0 .188 .201 .227 .119 21 4
CHRIS STYNES 1973 2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 MYR 495 119 13 1 7 7 15 7 .240 .251 .313 .200 99 34 1993 DUN 484 117 16 2 7 17 11 4 .242 .267 .326 .211 102 38 1994 KNX 547 158 19 2 8 21 20 7 .289 .315 .375 .249 136 61 1995 OMA 301 75 7 3 7 26 5 5 .249 .309 .362 .235 71 31 1995 KCR 35 6 1 0 0 4 0 0 .171 .256 .200 .140 5 1 1996 PRJ 380 104 8 1 8 19 13 6 .274 .308 .363 .241 92 40The centerpiece of the David Cone trade for the Royals. After an impressive season as a 21-year-old in 1994, Stynes saw his average drop quite a bit last year, but made up for it by hitting for more power, and more importantly, becoming a significantly more patient hitter than he had been. He might work his way into the infield mix this season, and in the long run he may be the Royals' best option at second base.
LARRY SUTTON 1970 1B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 EUG 245 61 4 1 8 30 2 3 .249 .331 .371 .246 60 28 1993 ROK 373 83 10 1 5 72 2 2 .223 .348 .295 .231 86 38 1994 WIL 494 142 17 1 16 63 2 1 .287 .368 .423 .279 138 73 1995 WIC 194 45 8 1 3 21 1 1 .232 .307 .330 .224 43 18Sutton is an extremely patient hitter who had a terrific 1994 season, winning the Carolina League MVP that year. He suffered a fracture in his elbow early in 1995, though, and the season was a lost cause from that point. He's been a fairly old player for the leagues he has played in, so he can't afford to have another season like last year. If he bounces back to his 1994 form, he could get a shot should Vitiello or Hamelin stumble.
MIKE SWEENEY 1974 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 EUG 202 34 3 1 2 6 1 1 .168 .192 .223 .108 22 3 1993 EUG 182 39 4 1 4 17 0 0 .214 .281 .313 .207 38 14 1994 ROK 282 74 9 1 8 42 0 0 .262 .358 .387 .264 74 37 1995 WIL 352 115 14 1 16 53 5 1 .327 .415 .509 .321 113 69 1996 PRJ 551 159 20 4 16 61 7 3 .289 .359 .426 .278 153 80Since Damon has seen his rookie status expire, Sweeney is clearly the Royals best prospect. He nearly won the Triple Crown in the Carolina League, especially impressive because 1) he was on strike and missed the beginning of the year, and 2) Wilmington is one of the best pitcher's parks in the minor leagues. He hits for average and power, walks a lot, throws out 40% of baserunners trying to steal, and gets good marks for his work ethic and makeup.
The Royals brought him up all the way from A-ball when they needed a third catcher in September, which says that Sweeney figures in their plans as the starter before long. Should muscle Macfarlane and Fasano out of the way by 1997.
MIKE TUCKER 1971 LF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1993 WIL 245 66 7 1 4 27 8 2 .269 .342 .355 .253 62 29 1993 MEM 246 62 5 2 7 35 9 3 .252 .345 .374 .258 64 32 1994 OMA 482 130 12 4 17 64 10 3 .270 .355 .417 .273 132 69 1995 OMA 270 74 13 2 3 23 13 4 .274 .331 .370 .254 69 33 1995 KCR 176 48 7 0 4 16 3 4 .273 .333 .381 .249 44 20 1996 PRJ 359 102 19 2 9 43 10 2 .284 .361 .423 .280 100 54After a pair of impressive minor league seasons, Tucker was installed as the Royals' leadoff hitter on Opening Day. He got off to a horrible start and was sent down for a few months, where he became a different hitter. Tucker had always been a dead pull hitter, and he sacrificed his power for a while to work on going the opposite way. After he returned to Kansas City, he was a changed man, hitting .305/.389/.505. He was considered the best pure hitter taken in the 1992 draft, and if he can continue to make adjustments, he might just live up to his billing.
SCOOTER TUCKER 1967 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 SHV 351 87 17 1 4 34 2 2 .248 .314 .336 .230 81 34 1992 TUC 281 76 9 1 2 22 4 1 .270 .323 .331 .236 66 28 1992 HOU 50 7 1 0 0 4 1 1 .140 .204 .160 .043 2 0 1993 TUC 307 67 11 1 1 38 1 3 .218 .304 .270 .200 61 22 1994 TUC 391 109 18 1 10 40 3 2 .279 .346 .407 .265 104 51 1995 RIC 67 11 2 1 0 8 0 0 .164 .253 .224 .152 10 3Went 0-for-20 with the Indians last year. I wonder if they voted him a postseason share.
JOE VITIELLO 1970 1B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 EUG 65 17 0 0 3 6 0 0 .262 .324 .400 .254 17 8 1991 MEM 133 27 3 1 0 18 0 0 .203 .298 .241 .187 25 8 1992 BCY 414 104 8 1 8 39 1 2 .251 .316 .333 .229 95 39 1993 MEM 416 111 14 1 12 47 1 0 .267 .341 .392 .259 108 52 1994 OMA 349 117 21 2 8 51 3 2 .335 .420 .476 .314 110 65 1995 OMA 225 58 8 2 9 12 0 1 .258 .295 .431 .250 56 26 1995 KCR 130 35 5 0 6 6 0 0 .269 .301 .446 .259 34 16 1996 PRJ 401 113 22 2 18 49 0 0 .282 .360 .481 .290 116 65Vitiello and Frank Thomas were both first baseman drafted 7th overall out of the state of Alabama, two years apart. Vitiello had an incredible 1994 playing on a partially torn ligament in his knee, but after having surgery to repair it, he came back slowly in 1995. He caught fire down the stretch, and unless he falls on his face in spring training, he should be handed Joyner's job at one-thirtieth the cost. His minor-league career has progressed a lot like Jeff Conine's did, and since there isn't an expansion draft this year, he should get the chance to show if he can hit for the Royals like Conine has for the Marlins.
BOB ZUPCIC 1967 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 PAW 426 94 15 1 15 42 10 4 .221 .291 .366 .231 98 43 1992 PAW 25 8 2 0 1 8 0 1 .320 .485 .520 .336 8 6 1992 BOS 392 112 16 1 4 23 2 2 .286 .325 .362 .245 96 42 1993 BOS 282 67 21 2 2 25 6 2 .238 .300 .348 .230 65 28 1994 CWS 88 19 2 1 1 3 0 0 .216 .242 .295 .182 16 5
Organizational Pitching Report
Kansas City Royals OPR Points: 35 Rank in AL Central: 1st
Name Lvl Age IP Work H/G K/BB K/G ERA Adj Ttl Grade Rusch, Glen 3 5 8 0 8 9 5 6 -2 42 A+ Byrdak, Tim 3 3 8 0 7 6 3 5 -2 33 B Rosado, Jose 3 5 6 0 3 9 5 3 -2 32 B Toth, Robert 7 3 7 0 2 6 2 4 0 31 B- Ralston, Kris 6 1 3 0 4 6 6 2 0 28 C Carter, Lance 0 3 6 0 0 10 5 2 0 26 D+ Bunch, Mel 8 3 2 0 3 5 3 0 0 24 D Ray, Ken 5 5 7 0 2 2 3 1 -1 24 D Olsen, Steve 7 -1 8 0 1 6 1 1 0 23 D- McDill, Allen 5 1 7 0 5 2 1 3 -1 23 D- Gamboa, Javier 1 2 7 0 6 4 1 3 -1 23 D- Smith, Toby 3 0 2 0 5 8 4 3 -2 23 D- Best Prospect in 1994: Mike Bovee (A+) Best Rookie Starter in 1995: Mel Bunch (D)
SCOTT ANDERSON 1962 LBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1993 EDM 61.7 76 28 7 15 46 4.09 3 4 11.09 2.19 6.71 1994 NWO 23.0 36 18 5 6 17 7.04 1 2 14.09 2.35 6.65 1995 OMA 71.0 66 36 12 18 45 4.56 3 5 8.37 2.28 5.70 1995 KCR 24.7 31 13 3 6 7 4.74 1 2 11.31 2.19 2.55Anderson was another replacement player the Royals used last year, giving them four in all, more than any other team. One of Boone's most underappreciated achievements of the season was avoiding the kind of dissention and bickering that characterized other clubhouses that had to deal with scabs.
KEVIN APPIER 1968 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 KCR 204.7 204 78 13 57 178 3.43 13 10 8.97 2.51 7.83 1992 KCR 204.7 178 55 11 66 180 2.42 17 6 7.83 2.90 7.92 1993 KCR 235.0 197 67 8 75 213 2.57 18 8 7.54 2.87 8.16 1994 KCR 152.7 143 56 9 57 158 3.30 10 7 8.43 3.36 9.31 1995 KCR 199.3 173 76 12 70 206 3.43 13 9 7.81 3.16 9.30Possibly the best pitcher the Royals have ever produced. The only other possibilites are David Cone, who only pitched two years in Kansas City (and those as a free agent), and Bret Saberhagen, who was traded away at age 27 and who has never had Appier's health record. Despite having a potential 200-game winner in their midst, the Royals continue to act like Appier is just another #2 or #3 starter. They have yet to offer him a long-term deal, content to give him a series of one-year contracts, presumably in the expectation that his arm is going to blow out any day now.
Despite being abused in the four-man rotation last year pitching on three days' rest wasn't damaging, but throwing 120-130 pitches at times was Appier still shows great durability, he's impossible to hit, rarely gives up a homer, and ends up in the AL top 10 in ERA every year. He should have won the Cy Young award in 1993, and is a threat to win it each season. The Royals' first priority should be to sign him to a four-year deal but more likely than not, they'll let him walk at the end of the year, complaining that he's "out of their price range" after he goes 22-7 with a 2.65 ERA.
BRIAN BEVIL 1972 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 APP 139.3 171 96 38 73 107 6.20 4 11 11.05 4.72 6.91 1993 WIL 69.0 56 31 4 30 43 4.04 4 4 7.30 3.91 5.61 1993 MEM 30.3 40 18 4 15 21 5.34 1 2 11.87 4.45 6.23 1994 MEM 94.0 86 51 11 48 68 4.88 4 6 8.23 4.60 6.51 1995 WIC 67.7 90 52 11 38 54 6.92 2 6 11.97 5.05 7.18 1995 OMA 20.7 40 28 8 16 10 12.19 0 2 17.42 6.97 4.35After a pair of promising seasons, Bevil crashed and burned in 1995. A combination of arm trouble and the layoff due to the strike left him in no condition to pitch for most of the season. He's healthy now, but it may take some time to exorcise last year's demons.
JAMIE BLUMA 1972 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1994 EUG 34.7 26 11 1 4 19 2.86 3 1 6.75 1.04 4.93 1995 WIC 52.7 41 22 14 9 29 3.76 3 3 7.01 1.54 4.96 1995 OMA 22.7 22 12 3 15 11 4.76 1 2 8.74 5.96 4.37Being groomed as the next closer. Drafted as an extremely polished senior out of Wichita State in 1994, Bluma embarrassed the low minors with nothing more than a fastball and hard slider. His control eluded him the last month of the year, but he found it again in the AFL, and should start the year in the Royals' bullpen. If he pitches well, he should be the number one set-up man by mid-season, picking up a few saves behind Montgomery.
MIKE BOVEE 1974 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 APP 136.0 182 118 24 44 76 7.81 3 12 12.04 2.91 5.03 1993 ROK 97.7 142 65 4 30 71 5.99 3 8 13.09 2.76 6.54 1994 WIL 156.0 201 79 12 33 117 4.56 7 10 11.60 1.90 6.75 1995 WIC 105.0 127 63 18 46 68 5.40 4 8 10.89 3.94 5.83Not highly thought of by scouts because he has only one outstanding pitch, his curveball. But it is outstanding, and he has control of all his pitches, so at age 22 he's a step away from Kansas City. He had trouble pitching in Wichita, which is a hellish place for right-handed starters. Should begin the year at Omaha, and could easily go 7-1, 2.44 and find himself in Kansas City by mid-season.
NEVIN BREWER 1972 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1993 EUG 32.0 40 13 0 15 19 3.66 2 2 11.25 4.22 5.34 1994 ROK 58.3 60 20 3 22 49 3.09 4 2 9.26 3.39 7.56 1995 WIL 26.7 26 9 0 18 17 3.04 2 1 8.78 6.08 5.74 1995 WIC 46.7 57 32 9 21 21 6.17 1 4 10.99 4.05 4.05Doesn't throw very hard, but keeps everything down and around the plate, which is a good recipe for success for anyone. Brewer was promoted quickly last year, and had growing pains at the AA level. He'll probably return there this year, and this year should be a make-or-break year for him.
TOM BROWNING 1960 LSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 CIN 229.3 253 116 40 58 124 4.55 11 14 9.93 2.28 4.87 1992 CIN 87.0 113 48 9 31 37 4.97 4 6 11.69 3.21 3.83 1993 CIN 112.7 154 61 14 23 55 4.87 5 8 12.30 1.84 4.39 1994 CIN 40.7 34 18 8 13 23 3.98 3 2 7.52 2.88 5.09 1995 OMA 20.7 13 7 2 6 5 3.05 1 1 5.66 2.61 2.18 1995 KCR 10.0 13 7 2 5 3 6.30 0 1 11.70 4.50 2.70Browning still thinks he can help a major league team. Newsflash, Tom: you haven't significantly helped a major league team in six years. Retired.
MEL BUNCH 1972 RBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 EUG 57.7 78 34 11 11 37 5.31 2 4 12.17 1.72 5.77 1993 ROK 76.7 99 35 6 17 45 4.11 4 5 11.62 2.00 5.28 1993 WIL 60.3 65 31 6 18 38 4.62 3 4 9.70 2.69 5.67 1994 WIL 57.3 66 39 12 17 47 6.12 2 4 10.36 2.67 7.38 1995 OMA 62.3 66 35 12 22 48 5.05 3 4 9.53 3.18 6.93 1995 KCR 39.7 44 21 8 12 21 4.76 2 2 9.98 2.72 4.76Was one of three players (along with Nunnally and Sweeney) who was promoted from A-ball all the way to the major leagues last year. He handled the sudden jump quite well, and is in the running for a starting spot last year. He's an extreme flyball pitcher, and gives up a lot of homers, including Belle's 50th. If he can keep the ball in the ballpark, he could be successful. Kauffman Stadium helps.
JIM CONVERSE 1972 LRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 PEN 121.3 149 88 23 105 93 6.53 4 9 11.05 7.79 6.90 1992 JAX 147.0 158 72 15 95 131 4.41 7 9 9.67 5.82 8.02 1993 CLG 112.0 139 74 9 67 68 5.95 4 8 11.17 5.38 5.46 1993 SEA 20.0 23 10 0 13 11 4.50 1 1 10.35 5.85 4.95 1994 CLG 69.3 94 34 5 21 48 4.41 4 4 12.20 2.73 6.23 1994 SEA 47.0 65 32 3 36 40 6.13 1 4 12.45 6.89 7.66 1995 TAC 68.7 96 51 7 38 43 6.68 2 6 12.58 4.98 5.64 1995 KCR 11.7 13 7 0 7 6 5.40 0 1 10.03 5.40 4.63 1995 SEA 10.7 15 7 1 7 9 5.91 0 1 12.66 5.91 7.59Bounced between Calgary and Seattle for years, as Piniella would bring him up every six weeks to see if he had learned how to pitch since the last time Piniella saw him. The answer was always no, which is why Converse is now a Royal. Even with his name, unlikely to ever pitch well enough to sign a shoe contract.
JOSE DEJESUS 1965 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 PHI 180.7 164 74 10 134 129 3.69 11 9 8.17 6.68 6.43 1994 OMA 55.3 53 26 7 38 53 4.23 3 3 8.62 6.18 8.62 1994 KCR 26.3 28 11 2 11 13 3.76 2 1 9.57 3.76 4.44 1995 OMA 58.7 57 41 11 56 47 6.29 2 5 8.74 8.59 7.21 Released. An exhibit for major league GMs who think they can mold anyone with a great arm into a great pitcher. Of course, if they haven't learned from watching Bill Bene....
CHRIS EDDY 1970 LRP YEAR TEAM IP HR HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 EUG 41.0 29 19 3 28 34 4.17 2 3 6.37 6.15 7.46 1993 WIL 48.3 48 30 7 46 47 5.59 2 3 8.94 8.57 8.75 1994 MEM 72.0 87 44 6 39 75 5.50 3 5 10.88 4.88 9.38 1995 OMA 16.3 21 14 1 13 11 7.71 0 2 11.57 7.16 6.06A Rule V pick of the A's in 1995, but was returned early in the year when the A's read Rule VI: Eddy can't pitch. He's got a live arm and he's left-handed, so he should continue to get chances.
DAVE FLEMING 1970 LBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 JAX 130.7 159 63 16 22 87 4.34 7 8 10.95 1.52 5.99 1991 CLG 15.0 12 3 1 2 15 1.80 2 0 7.20 1.20 9.00 1991 SEA 17.3 20 12 4 3 13 6.23 1 1 10.38 1.56 6.75 1992 SEA 224.7 229 82 14 57 133 3.28 15 10 9.17 2.28 5.33 1993 JAX 15.0 19 10 3 8 8 6.00 1 1 11.40 4.80 4.80 1993 SEA 164.3 193 70 11 62 85 3.83 9 9 10.57 3.40 4.66 1994 SEA 114.3 138 61 12 57 68 4.80 5 8 10.86 4.49 5.35 1995 OMA 15.0 18 7 1 8 8 4.20 1 1 10.80 4.80 4.80 1995 KCR 31.7 28 14 4 18 16 3.98 2 2 7.96 5.12 4.55 1995 SEA 47.0 53 30 11 30 28 5.74 2 3 10.15 5.74 5.36Fleming, on the other hand, throws 75 on a good day. It's hard to believe he came up with great control he's more than tripled his walk rate since 1991. Something's wrong with him, but it's unknown whether it's his arm or his head. Pitchers who forget how to throw strikes rarely re-learn. Released.
MIKE FYHRIE 1970 RBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 EUG 32.3 55 23 1 20 25 6.40 1 3 15.31 5.57 6.96 1992 BCY 146.7 203 109 20 54 74 6.69 4 12 12.46 3.31 4.54 1993 WIL 26.0 40 19 5 10 13 6.58 1 2 13.85 3.46 4.50 1993 MEM 119.0 159 70 12 65 48 5.29 5 8 12.03 4.92 3.63 1994 MEM 61.7 79 34 7 21 33 4.96 3 4 11.53 3.06 4.82 1994 OMA 80.7 105 51 14 34 36 5.69 3 6 11.71 3.79 4.02 1995 WIC 67.7 84 33 6 24 39 4.39 4 4 11.17 3.19 5.19 F1995 OMA 57.7 75 32 8 16 37 4.99 2 4 11.71 2.50 5.77
JEFF GRANGER 1972 LSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1993 EUG 34.0 37 24 7 6 35 6.35 1 3 9.79 1.59 9.26 1994 MEM 126.7 183 82 13 74 97 5.83 4 10 13.00 5.26 6.89 1995 WIC 87.7 128 76 14 43 76 7.80 2 8 13.14 4.41 7.80The fifth overall pick in the 1993 draft, the Royals' highest pick since 1971. Clearly a blown pick, which would be more forgivable if the Royals hadn't passed over another college left-hander to take him. Presumably, the Royals admired Granger's "bulldog" toughness (he was also quarterback for the Texas A&M team) so much they decided to pass on the mid-90s fastball of Billy Wagner, who was taken 12th by Houston.
The Royals plan on moving Granger to the bullpen this year in the hopes that a change of scenery will do him good. It certainly can't hurt.
MARK GUBICZA 1963 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 OMA 15.0 24 8 0 3 11 4.80 1 1 14.40 1.80 6.60 1991 KCR 131.0 166 71 10 39 100 4.88 6 9 11.40 2.68 6.87 1992 KCR 109.3 117 43 9 34 97 3.54 7 5 9.63 2.80 7.98 1993 KCR 102.0 136 54 2 40 92 4.76 5 6 12.00 3.53 8.12 1994 KCR 127.7 165 61 9 20 64 4.30 6 8 11.63 1.41 4.51 1995 KCR 211.0 234 81 16 52 90 3.45 13 10 9.98 2.22 3.84All you ever hear about is how players never show loyalty to their teams anymore, but Gubicza has quietly spent his entire 12-year career in Kansas City, and both sides seem committed to continuing that relationship indefinitely. His arm never recovered from throwing 161 innings by the All-Star Break in 1989, and he posted a 6.15 ERA in September last year as he began to show the effects of leading the league in starts. If Boone is more careful with him this year, he may continue to be effective.
CHRIS HANEY 1969 LSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 HAR 76.7 82 31 7 30 58 3.64 5 4 9.63 3.52 6.81 1991 IND 9.7 16 10 3 6 8 9.31 0 1 14.90 5.59 7.45 1991 MON 84.3 107 52 9 45 56 5.55 3 6 11.42 4.80 5.98 1992 IND 79.3 93 47 5 44 62 5.33 3 6 10.55 4.99 7.03 1992 KCR 41.3 37 16 6 15 32 3.48 3 2 8.06 3.27 6.97 1992 MON 38.0 45 27 9 11 31 6.39 1 3 10.66 2.61 7.34 1993 OMA 45.3 47 13 1 15 32 2.58 4 1 9.33 2.98 6.35 1993 KCR 121.7 149 77 13 50 75 5.70 5 9 11.02 3.70 5.55 1994 OMA 100.0 129 68 13 38 76 6.12 3 8 11.61 3.42 6.84 1994 KCR 27.7 37 20 2 10 20 6.51 1 2 12.04 3.25 6.51 1995 KCR 80.7 82 30 5 29 34 3.35 5 4 9.15 3.24 3.79Was having a breakout season when a back injury put him out for the year. He shot through the minors, debuting with the Expos barely a year after he was drafted, and has confounded observers by struggling throughout his major league career. He may have turned the corner last year, but back injuries have a nasty habit of recurring, so I'd be leery of him.
BRIAN HARRISON 1969 RBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 APP 85.3 157 65 11 13 34 6.86 2 7 16.56 1.37 3.59 1993 WIL 156.0 209 99 26 49 68 5.71 6 11 12.06 2.83 3.92 1994 MEM 160.0 209 101 20 40 82 5.68 6 12 11.76 2.25 4.61 1995 WIC 24.3 38 18 2 7 10 6.66 1 2 14.05 2.59 3.70 1995 OMA 52.0 79 36 8 12 12 6.23 2 4 13.67 2.08 2.08
RICK HUISMAN 1969 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 SJO 164.3 181 73 13 68 157 4.00 9 9 9.91 3.72 8.60 1992 SHV 96.7 92 41 7 39 79 3.82 6 5 8.57 3.63 7.36 1992 PHX 52.3 48 16 4 23 44 2.75 4 2 8.25 3.96 7.57 1993 SJO 20.7 24 8 0 11 12 3.48 1 1 10.45 4.79 5.23 1993 PHX 67.0 68 41 8 46 50 5.51 2 5 9.13 6.18 6.72 1994 JAC 46.7 41 14 2 27 51 2.70 3 2 7.91 5.21 9.84 1995 TUC 51.7 51 24 2 29 46 4.18 3 3 8.88 5.05 8.01In 1991, Huisman teamed with Salomon Torres to form one of the most dominant 1-2 pitching combinations in the minor leagues. Of course, the Giants abused both of them that year, and neither has been fully healthy since. Huisman's arm troubles were so severe that the Giants released him, but after the Astros moved him to the bullpen in 1994, he started dominating hitters again. The Royals stole him in August for Pat Borders, and in 15 innings in the organization, Huisman has a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 25-to-2. Great splitter, good fastball; could be the surprise of the Royals' staff in 1996.
JASON JACOME 1971 LSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 CMB 46.7 58 23 4 17 33 4.44 2 3 11.19 3.28 6.36 1992 SLU 104.7 119 62 20 41 51 5.33 4 8 10.23 3.53 4.39 1993 SLU 89.0 125 46 7 26 57 4.65 4 6 12.64 2.63 5.76 1993 BIN 80.3 94 38 7 41 46 4.26 4 5 10.53 4.59 5.15 1994 NOR 118.7 163 62 8 45 75 4.70 5 8 12.36 3.41 5.69 1994 NYM 54.0 54 17 2 18 31 2.83 4 2 9.00 3.00 5.17 1995 NOR 41.3 46 23 7 15 29 5.01 2 3 10.02 3.27 6.31 1995 KCR 83.3 106 43 12 16 43 4.64 4 5 11.45 1.73 4.64 1995 NYM 20.7 34 21 3 16 11 9.15 0 2 14.81 6.97 4.79An interesting anecdote about Jacome: he started a nationally televised game on ESPN late in the season, and when the radar gun was turned on him in the first inning, the readings came back around 50 miles an hour. Joe Morgan, who's a first-rate analyst, took a glance at a couple of the numbers, and realized that something was wrong with the gun not even Jacome throws that slow and said so. If Tim McCarver had been in the broadcast booth, he would have spent three innings talking about how Jacome was getting by with deception and cunning, and how a pitcher's velocity really doesn't mean anything.
JERRY KUTZLER 1965 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 VAN 145.0 215 98 14 61 62 6.08 5 11 13.34 3.79 3.85 1992 WNS 33.7 49 19 4 7 15 5.08 2 2 13.10 1.87 4.01 1992 CHR 36.0 41 16 4 5 24 4.00 2 2 10.25 1.25 6.00 1993 ABQ 93.0 119 58 14 31 44 5.61 3 7 11.52 3.00 4.26 1994 OMA 98.0 120 42 8 24 37 3.86 6 5 11.02 2.20 3.40 1995 OMA 97.3 136 50 6 31 43 4.62 5 6 12.58 2.87 3.98Greg Maddux would have trouble pitching well with a name like this.
DOUG LINTON 1965 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 SYR 152.3 189 98 29 48 89 5.79 5 12 11.17 2.84 5.26 1992 SYR 161.0 184 78 19 75 113 4.36 8 10 10.29 4.19 6.32 1992 TOR 23.7 35 23 6 17 20 8.75 1 2 13.31 6.46 7.61 1993 SYR 45.0 52 29 13 16 37 5.80 2 3 10.40 3.20 7.40 1993 CAL 25.0 36 20 6 13 22 7.20 1 2 12.96 4.68 7.92 1993 TOR 10.7 11 6 0 9 5 5.06 0 1 9.28 7.59 4.22 1994 NOR 17.7 13 6 2 0 14 3.06 1 1 6.62 .00 7.13 1994 NYM 50.0 75 29 3 21 30 5.22 2 4 13.50 3.78 5.40 1995 OMA 103.0 136 56 10 28 82 4.89 4 7 11.88 2.45 7.17 1995 KCR 22.0 23 15 4 9 15 6.14 1 1 9.41 3.68 6.14
MIKE MAGNANTE 1965 LRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 OMA 62.3 62 26 3 22 48 3.75 4 3 8.95 3.18 6.93 1991 KCR 54.0 55 18 2 22 47 3.00 4 2 9.17 3.67 7.83 1992 KCR 87.3 122 49 6 34 37 5.05 4 6 12.57 3.50 3.81 1993 OMA 100.7 104 44 8 32 75 3.93 6 5 9.30 2.86 6.71 1993 KCR 34.7 40 15 3 10 18 3.89 2 2 10.38 2.60 4.67 1994 KCR 46.0 57 22 4 14 23 4.30 2 3 11.15 2.74 4.50 1995 OMA 54.3 59 23 3 15 36 3.81 3 3 9.77 2.48 5.96 1995 KCR 43.7 48 19 5 13 31 3.92 3 2 9.89 2.68 6.39Every year the Royals bring him up because they desperately need a left-hander in the pen, and every spring he starts in the minors because he really isn't that good. If the Royals can ever build a strong bullpen, this cycle should end.
ALLEN MCDILL 1972 LBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1993 PTS 24.0 42 34 2 21 14 12.75 0 3 15.75 7.88 5.25 1994 CMB 101.0 126 65 21 46 67 5.79 4 7 11.23 4.10 5.97 1995 SLU 45.0 48 17 4 15 22 3.40 3 2 9.60 3.00 4.40 1995 BIN 68.0 87 51 9 41 38 6.75 2 6 11.51 5.43 5.03 1995 WIC 20.0 17 8 3 6 19 3.60 1 1 7.65 2.70 8.55Picked up from the Mets along with Jacome, McDill pitched wonderfully out of the bullpen the last month of the season. Originally an afterthought, McDill is now getting serious consideration for a relief spot in Kansas City and given their other options, it isn't such a bad idea.
RUSTY MEACHAM 1968 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 TOL 118.3 125 50 12 34 67 3.80 7 6 9.51 2.59 5.10 1991 DET 27.0 36 15 3 11 16 5.00 1 2 12.00 3.67 5.33 1992 KCR 100.0 94 36 5 19 77 3.24 7 4 8.46 1.71 6.93 1993 KCR 20.7 33 13 2 4 15 5.66 1 1 14.37 1.74 6.53 1994 KCR 50.0 53 19 6 10 39 3.42 3 3 9.54 1.80 7.02 1995 KCR 58.0 76 30 4 16 33 4.66 3 3 11.79 2.48 5.12Picked up a forkball in winter ball, and was absolutely unhittable pitching in Puerto Rico, the best of the Caribbean leagues. Normally, one good stretch like that can be labeled a fluke, but the forkball's a funny thing. Lesser pitchers have found greatness after mastering it.
JOSE MELENDEZ 1966 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 LVG 56.3 49 21 10 10 43 3.36 4 2 7.83 1.60 6.87 1991 SDP 93.0 84 35 14 25 65 3.39 6 4 8.13 2.42 6.29 1992 SDP 89.0 82 29 12 22 91 2.93 7 3 8.29 2.22 9.20 1993 PAW 33.7 39 23 9 8 28 6.15 1 3 10.43 2.14 7.49 1993 BOS 16.0 11 4 2 4 16 2.25 2 0 6.19 2.25 9.00 1994 PAW 70.0 86 46 16 27 61 5.91 3 5 11.06 3.47 7.84 1994 BOS 16.0 19 8 2 7 10 4.50 1 1 10.69 3.94 5.62 1995 OMA 33.3 46 23 7 15 29 6.21 1 3 12.42 4.05 7.83Still hard to believe the Red Sox traded away Phil Plantier for him three years ago.
JEFF MONTGOMERY 1962 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 KCR 89.0 82 26 6 27 87 2.63 7 3 8.29 2.73 8.80 1992 KCR 81.3 65 21 6 26 83 2.32 7 2 7.19 2.88 9.18 1993 KCR 86.0 70 20 3 21 76 2.09 8 2 7.33 2.20 7.95 1994 KCR 43.7 50 17 3 14 55 3.50 3 2 10.31 2.89 11.34 1995 KCR 64.7 63 23 6 22 55 3.20 4 3 8.77 3.06 7.65The critics who whine that players are hired mercenaries who will sign with whoever pays them the most must have missed Montgomery's contract. The Royals re-signed him for $4.75 million over two years. That is an incredible bargain; Montgomery could have easily earned $6-7 million elsewhere. Kansas City is a great place to live and raise a family, and while Montgomery is not the first player to say he would accept less money to stay there, no one has said it with this much eloquence before.
JARROD MUNOZ 1968 LRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 SPA 99.3 153 76 15 58 64 6.89 3 8 13.86 5.26 5.80 1992 CLR 40.7 47 22 6 16 27 4.87 2 3 10.40 3.54 5.98 1993 CLR 69.3 67 27 6 29 69 3.50 5 3 8.70 3.76 8.96 1994 REA 11.7 20 15 6 12 9 11.57 0 1 15.43 9.26 6.94 1995 OMA 53.7 51 23 4 21 49 3.86 3 3 8.55 3.52 8.22A sleeper. The Phillies gave up on him after an injury-plaged 1994, but the Royals coaxed a fine year out of him. His name isn't mentioned among possible bullpen candidates in 1996, but another year like 1995 would be hard to ignore.
STEVE OLSEN 1970 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 UTI 13.7 4 0 1 4 12 .00 2 0 2.63 2.63 7.90 1991 SBN 73.3 107 65 14 29 51 7.98 2 6 13.13 3.56 6.26 1992 SAR 79.0 92 41 9 43 67 4.67 4 5 10.48 4.90 7.63 1992 BIR 71.3 86 37 8 34 39 4.67 3 5 10.85 4.29 4.92 1993 BIR 130.7 181 98 32 58 76 6.75 4 11 12.47 3.99 5.23 1994 BIR 95.3 111 51 13 34 59 4.81 4 7 10.48 3.21 5.57 1994 NAS 68.3 72 27 5 19 57 3.56 4 4 9.48 2.50 7.51 1995 BIR 80.3 94 46 7 23 47 5.15 3 6 10.53 2.58 5.27 1995 NAS 73.7 85 40 11 18 43 4.89 3 5 10.38 2.20 5.25
HIPOLITO PICHARDO 1970 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 MEM 90.3 128 56 9 38 58 5.58 3 7 12.75 3.79 5.78 1992 MEM 12.7 16 4 0 1 8 2.84 1 0 11.37 .71 5.68 1992 KCR 141.0 157 65 10 47 71 4.15 8 8 10.02 3.00 4.53 1993 KCR 162.0 195 76 9 49 80 4.22 9 9 10.83 2.72 4.44 1994 KCR 66.7 85 34 3 21 39 4.59 3 4 11.48 2.84 5.27 1995 KCR 63.0 70 29 3 27 48 4.14 3 4 10.00 3.86 6.86On Opening Day 1995, the Royals started an infield of Gaetti, Gagne, Lind, and Joyner. It wasn't much offensively, but it was one of the most formidable defensive infields in recent memory.
A year later, the Royals have a projected infield of Lockhart, Offerman, Roberts, and Vitiello. A far more imposing offensive quartet, but every ground ball stands to be as much an adventure as anything the Marines have to offer. Pichardo is the Royals' most extreme ground-ball pitcher, so he stands to suffer more than anyone from the change. He's talented enough to adjust, but it won't be easy.
JIM PITTSLEY 1974 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1993 ROK 72.7 89 49 8 35 56 6.07 2 6 11.02 4.33 6.94 1994 WIL 148.0 204 95 19 46 130 5.78 5 11 12.41 2.80 7.91 1995 OMA 46.0 40 20 6 18 38 3.91 3 2 7.83 3.52 7.43The best Royals' pitching prospect of the decade. After becoming one of the youngest players ever to debut with the Royals, Pittsley tore a ligament in his elbow in his first start back in AAA. The organization held its breath for a few months before it was found that the injury was reparable without resorting to Tommy John-style surgery. Pittsley isn't expected to be back until May, but he should be at 100%, and Pittsley at 100% is a terrific pitcher. He was the first high school pitcher drafted in 1992, and has all the tools to succeed: three great pitches and incredible control for a pitcher with his age and height (6'7"). A keeper.
KRIS RALSTON 1972 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1993 EUG 76.3 69 42 13 33 47 4.95 3 5 8.14 3.89 5.54 1994 WIL 100.7 113 50 14 43 77 4.47 5 6 10.10 3.84 6.88 1995 WIC 87.3 92 43 15 30 79 4.43 4 6 9.48 3.09 8.14The fourth starter on an extremely talented Wilmington staff in 1994, Ralston emerged as a top prospect last year. He still gives up the long ball too often, but after suffering a small tear in his rotator cuff in the winter, Ralston rehabbed and came back with better velocity and good command of four pitches. Someone to watch out for in 1997.
DENNIS RASMUSSEN 1959 LBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 LVG 24.7 20 13 4 14 11 4.74 1 2 7.30 5.11 4.01 1991 SDP 145.7 170 74 16 52 82 4.57 7 9 10.50 3.21 5.07 1992 IOW 10.7 15 6 0 3 6 5.06 0 1 12.66 2.53 5.06 1992 OMA 48.3 42 16 4 18 45 2.98 3 2 7.82 3.35 8.38 1992 ROC 43.7 53 33 5 24 30 6.80 1 4 10.92 4.95 6.18 1992 KCR 37.3 27 7 0 5 14 1.69 3 1 6.51 1.21 3.38 1993 OMA 101.0 132 63 17 29 60 5.61 4 7 11.76 2.58 5.35 1993 KCR 28.3 43 22 4 13 14 6.99 1 2 13.66 4.13 4.45 1994 OMA 133.3 142 54 13 37 82 3.65 8 7 9.59 2.50 5.54 1994 PHX 28.0 39 15 2 7 11 4.82 1 2 12.54 2.25 3.54 1995 OMA 62.3 67 24 6 19 49 3.47 4 3 9.67 2.74 7.07 1995 KCR 10.0 13 8 2 8 7 7.20 0 1 11.70 7.20 6.30Between him and Browning, the Royals have a lot of explaining to do.
KEN RAY 1975 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1994 ROK 114.7 130 52 8 67 91 4.08 6 7 10.20 5.26 7.14 1995 WIL 70.7 98 43 5 26 52 5.48 3 5 12.48 3.31 6.62 1995 WIC 69.0 86 55 11 49 50 7.17 2 6 11.22 6.39 6.52Scouts like to compare him to Bret Saberhagen, which is silly because 1) Ray walks twice as many batters as Saberhagen ever did, and 2) who wants a kid to aspire to arm surgery every three years? The two things they both share are a great fastball and a thin body frame. Ray needs to stop impersonating Ramon Martinez if he wants to have a long career. He certainly has the arm to do so.
MIKE REMLINGER 1966 LRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 PHX 100.0 126 71 20 59 64 6.39 3 8 11.34 5.31 5.76 1991 SFG 35.0 39 19 5 21 21 4.89 2 2 10.03 5.40 5.40 1992 JAX 24.3 28 17 2 13 18 6.29 1 2 10.36 4.81 6.66 1992 CLG 64.3 91 53 11 46 23 7.41 2 5 12.73 6.44 3.22 1993 JAX 36.7 45 34 11 22 19 8.35 1 3 11.05 5.40 4.66 1993 CLG 77.0 97 49 10 54 44 5.73 3 6 11.34 6.31 5.14 1994 NOR 59.7 67 32 6 27 42 4.83 3 4 10.11 4.07 6.34 1994 NYM 54.3 55 27 8 36 34 4.47 3 3 9.11 5.96 5.63 1995 IND 44.3 48 28 5 36 58 5.68 2 3 9.74 7.31 11.77Acquired in a three-way deal the day of the Rule V draft. Remlinger would seem to be the Royals' answer to their need for a left-handed reliever. There's no reason to expect him to have any success in that role, except for the dramatic jump in his strikeout rate last season. That blip in his stats and the fact that the Royals traded for him leads me to think they may know something about Remlinger that we don't. Check in next year and maybe we'll know.
DILSON TORRES 1970 RBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1993 STC 21.0 32 28 12 9 14 12.00 0 2 13.71 3.86 6.00 1994 WIL 54.3 64 23 4 17 37 3.81 3 3 10.60 2.82 6.13 1994 MEM 55.3 56 19 5 13 41 3.09 4 2 9.11 2.11 6.67 1995 OMA 25.7 30 11 2 8 11 3.86 2 1 10.52 2.81 3.86 1995 KCR 43.3 59 25 5 15 31 5.19 2 3 12.25 3.12 6.44Torres was stolen from the Blue Jays two years ago in the minor league portion of the Rule V draft, a part of the draft which almost never yields a decent player. He alternated brilliance with mediocrity last year, and this year he should get 150 innings to decide which noun better fits him.
ROBERT TOTH 1973 RBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 BCY 57.7 74 38 5 26 34 5.93 2 4 11.55 4.06 5.31 1992 APP 115.7 145 83 25 37 64 6.46 4 9 11.28 2.88 4.98 1993 WIL 138.0 161 77 22 51 90 5.02 6 9 10.50 3.33 5.87 1994 WIL 54.0 72 22 2 9 27 3.67 3 3 12.00 1.50 4.50 1994 MEM 82.7 103 53 20 30 53 5.77 3 6 11.21 3.27 5.77 1995 WIC 95.7 106 36 7 28 73 3.39 6 5 9.97 2.63 6.87 1995 OMA 45.3 56 24 8 10 30 4.76 2 3 11.12 1.99 5.96Toth made slow progress through the system until last year, when he assumed the role of ace of the AA rotation for most of the year. Toth lacks any outstanding characteristic, but he's young, has never been injured, and can throw all of his pitches for strikes. Probably the first guy to get called up if a spot in the rotation opens up.