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Danny Duffy #10 BA Hot Sheet and Yordano Ventura on the Helium Watch

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Johnny Giavotella In the Team Photo Clint Robinson Man Among Boys Helium Watch Yordano Ventura, rhp, Royals: Think international scouting is easy? No, of course you don't, but here's just another example of the difficulty of projecting international teenagers. The Royals signed Ventura when he showed a quick arm and was throwing 87-89 mph, but he's added strength, gotten his delivery more under control and seen his velocity skyrocket. Ventura now regularly throws in the mid-90s and has hit 98-99 mph in several outings according to multiple scouts who have seen him this summer in the Rookie-level Arizona League. Ventura, 19, also shows the makings of a solid curveball, and in 37 innings he's held down a 3.16 ERA with 42 strikeouts and 11 walks. Listed at 5-foot-11, 140 pounds, he's a good athlete who has added some weight since then but still is a skinny, small-framed guy, so the Royals will likely monitor his innings.