FanPost

O-Royals Pitcher Report

Kyle Davies, Starter, RHP, Age: 24, Ht: 6' 2" Wt: 205

Background: Was a 4th round selection by the Braves in 2001. Quickly solidified himself as a solid prospect, even checking it at #4 on BA's 2004 list of Braves prospects. Struggled in majors with command before being shipped to KC for Octavio Dotel in 2007. Continued to struggle in majors in KC.

Scouting: Good fastball checking in 89-93, but doesn't command it. Plus-plus changeup, his best pitch. Above average curve.

This year: 13ip, 11h, 2er, 8bb, 11k, 1.90 gb/fb. Cut down on the walks dude. That's really his only blockade into evolving into a #3/#4 type MLB starter.

 

Jorge De La Rosa, Starter, LHP, Age: 27, Ht: 6' 1" Wt: 210

Background: Originally signed by the Diamondbacks as a free agent from Mexico. Bought back by a Mexican League team before signing with the Red Sox in 2001. Established himself as one of the top prospects in the Red Sox in 2003 before being shipped to Arizona in the Curt Schilling deal. Sent to Milwaukee two days later in a deal for Richie Sexson. Made MLB debut in 2004. Pitched 'OK' in 2005 in relief for the Brewers. Struggled in 2006 before being sent to Kansas City for Tony Graffinino. Has struggled with command ever since, flashing a good start here and there.

Scouting: Poor command for 88-94 MPH fastball. Above average curve and changeup, but doesn't command them well either.

This year: 15.2ip, 11h, 2er, 5bb, 15k. Fastball command has been poor for a long time, and it doesn't look like it's changing any time soon. Maybe better off in relief. Rumored to be the PBTNL for Ramon Ramirez.

 

Brandon Duckworth, Long Relief, RHP, Age: 32, Ht: 6' 1" Wt: 215

Background: Originally signed with Phillies as an undrafted free agent, but become one of their better prospects when he struck out 178 in 165 innings in AA as a 24-year-old. Bounced around between four organizations since, ending up in KC in June of 2006. Journeyman type.

Scouting: Sporadic command of 88-92 MPH fastball, average curve when it's working right, and usable changeup. Life to fastball when healthy.

This year: 12.1ip, 13h, 7er, 4bb, 10k. Been working in long relief, mostly 3/4 inning stints. I'd be surprised if he ended up in KC this year, but it's not a bad thing to have a Duckworth type as depth.

 

Jeff Fulchino, Middle Relief, Age: 28, RHP, Ht: 6' 5" Wt: 250

Background: Originally drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 8th round in 2001. Never established himself as a solid prospect, and bounced around between AA and AAA for the past couple seasons.

Scouting:  I have no clue. Sorry. :-)

This Year: 5.0ip, 1h, 0er, 3bb, 6k. Also threw 3.1 innings with Northwest Arkansas earlier. I don't know much about him, but just looks like filler for now.

 

Roberto Giron, Middle Relief, RHP, Age: 32, Ht: 6' 2" Wt: 195

Background: Signed by the Blue Jays in 1993 as a 17-year-old, but didn't get his change in the States until '95 with the Reds. Always been a reliever, bounced around as a journeyman the past five years. Has had promising strike out rates, but never has gotten a look in the big leagues.

Scouting: Has a low-90's fastball and an above average changeup. Whip like arm motion, similar to Leo Nunez. Extremely home run prone, his main roadblock to the MLB.

This Year: 12.2ip, 9h, 7er, 5bb, 15k. Also has given up four home runs in the early going.

 

Tyler Lumsden, Starter, LHP, Age: 24, Ht: 6' 4" Wt: 215

Background: Selected by the White Sox with a supplemental round selection in 2004. Underwent elbow surgery in 2005. Got off to strong start in AA before being traded to Royals in Mike MacDougal trade. Had a poor 2007 seasons after being named one of the top prospects prior to the season.

Scouting: Scouts dream. Fastball 90-95 with life in the zone. Plus curveball and average changeup round out repertoire. Poor command of fastball, does not repeat delivery very well. Excellent pitchers frame.

This Year: 12.2ip, 15h, 9er, 8bb, 8k, 2.11 gb/fb. Seems like typical Lumsden to me. I was ready to give him one more year to see if he could iron out his problems, but it doesn' t look like anything has changed.

 

Neal Musser, Setup/Closer, LHP, Age: 27, Ht: 6' 1" Wt: 230

Background: Drafted by the Mets in the 2nd round in 1999. Some thought he was going to be the next Tom Glavine (clearly that didn't pan out). Slowly climbed the ladder in the Mets organization but stalled in AA. Signed with the Diamondbacks in 2006 but was released after seven starts. Signed with KC and moved to a relief role, his fastball jumped considerably and he started to find success. Had nearly 50 straight innings without allowing an earned run in 2007 with Omaha.

Scouting: Good fastball after moving to relief, working 89-94. Complements with hard slider. Big bodied strike thrower. Tough when working down in zone. Deception in delivery makes him good against lefties.

This Year: 7ip, 5h, 1er, 3bb, 9k. Good start to the season. I think he's going to make for a good reliever once he gets an extended opportunity.

 

Brad Salmon, Setup, RHP, Age: 28, Ht: 6' 4" Wt: 225

Background: Signed out of Junior College by the Reds in 1999. Stalled as a starter prospect before being moved to relief. Has shown promise since being moved into that role. Really started to emerge in 2005 and quickly started moving up. Made his debut in 2007 and was pretty good, but the Reds decided against keeping him.

Scouting: Good sinking fastball that can run up to 95. Mixes in curve that can be very good when it's on. Classic late blooming prospect.

This Year: 12.1ip, 9h, 4er, 6bb, 8k. Don't like the walks, but it's early. Might be 2nd or 3rd in line for a recall to KC if needed.

 

Chin-hui Tsao, Setup, RHP, Age: 26, Ht: 6' 1" Wt: 210

Background: Signed by the Rockies out of Taiwan in 1999. Immediately become on of Rockies top prospects in 2000 when he struck out 187 in 145 innings. Injuries bothered him for the next few years, but reclaimed his prospect status in 2003 in AA with a great season. The injury bug bit again in 2004, and he's never really recovered since.

Scouting: Low to mid 90's fastball when healthy, along with hard slider. Fairly traditional delivery unlike most Asian born pitchers.

This Year: 3ip, 3h, 3er, 0bb, 2k. Hasn't pitched in about two weeks, but not listed on DL. Wouldn't surprise me if he's injured again. I was in favor of the signing though, it was a low risk deal that supplied nothing but upside.

 

Matt Wright, Starter, RHP, Age: 26, Ht: 6' 4" Wt: 230

Background: Drafted by the Braves in the 21st round in 2000. Established himself as a good, but not great prospect heading through the system. Slowly moved his way through the organization before departing in 2006. Signed with the Royals in a minor league move and had a decent year with Omaha. Surprisingly (IMO) resigned for the 2008 season.

Scouting: Traditional repertoire of pitches, fastball is 87-91, with average at best curve and changeup. Command is good, but not good enough to be a quality big league pitcher. Journeyman type.

This Year: 14ip, 17h, 8er, 6bb, 7k. Not much to say, typical AAA filler.

 

This FanPost was written by a member of the Royals Review community. It does not necessarily reflect the views of the editors and writers of this site.