My Take on the Scouts' Take

The Royals just released an article where some scouts evaluated the new Royals pitchers, Shields, Santana and Davis. Feel free to read it all, but here are some highlights.

"You've got a chance to win every time out -- what more can you ask for, right?" said a scout from an American League Central rival.

Heck, Sean O'Sullivan won even 5 games, but more importantly ....

"If they get just reasonable expectations from the three that they traded for, coupled with the bullpen, I think the Royals are in much, much better shape in the 2013 season," another scout said.

Has the "plus hands, plus hands" scout turned in the "much, much better" scout

"He's got an outstanding changeup -- one of the best changeups in baseball that allows him to be equally successful versus right-handed and left-handed hitters," a scout said.

Outstanding changeup. Thats James Shields

"He's probably got the quickest move of any right-hander in the game today," one of them said. "It's lightning-quick. You've got to be really careful. You get off too far, he'll pick you off."

Lighting quick. Thats James Shields

"Especially going into a big ballpark and pitching outdoors, I think is going to be a positive sign for the Royals," he said. "Another thing is, he wants the ball, he's not afraid to take the ball. "There's something to be said for a guy who's a top-of-the-rotation starter who's willing to take the ball and doesn't back down from a challenge. That's James Shields."

Not afraid to the take the ball. Thats ... fuck ... they beat me to it.

"Santana is a little bit of an enigma because he's got very good stuff -- an above-average fastball, a breaking ball that's in-between a slider and a curveball, and a changeup," a scout said. "He had trouble in early innings last year, he had trouble with the home run principally because he was up in the zone a lot. But, up to last year, he was a very durable starter. He did have some physical issues but he's a good pitcher that certainly has some upside left."

Kinda sounds like Kyle Davies and Luke Hochevar. Let's give it a try.

"Davies is a little bit of an enigma because he's got very good stuff -- an above-average fastball, a breaking ball that's in-between a slider and a curveball, and a changeup," a scout said. "He had trouble in early innings last year, he had trouble with the home run principally because he was up in the zone a lot. But, up to last year, he was a very durable starter. He did have some physical issues but he's a good pitcher that certainly has some upside left."

or

"Hochever is a little bit of an enigma because he's got very good stuff -- an above-average fastball, a breaking ball that's in-between a slider and a curveball, and a changeup," a scout said. "He had trouble in early innings last year, he had trouble with the home run principally because he was up in the zone a lot. But, up to last year, he was a very durable starter. He did have some physical issues but he's a good pitcher that certainly has some upside left."

Yep, I think I have heard/read those quotes before.

"The down year probably helped him mature as a pitcher, so it's something that's probably a positive right now," one scout said.

So let me get this straight, when a pitcher throws like shit, it is positive sign. One Royal Way should be lined with these:

"He has the best pure stuff of the three," a scout said. "He has tremendous upside -- he's got an above-average fastball, a breaking ball, developing changeup and it's just a question of keeping his pitch count down and his walks totals down... Davis is pure arm strength who has really yet to gain consistency with his location because of the fact he hasn't been in a consistent role."

He should fit right in with the high walks. Also, why did the Royals get a high pitch count starter when their goal is to get 1000 innings from their starters?

At least the article eventually ended.