Post by manny27 on Apr 22, 2008 22:43:16 GMT -5
Kansas City, MO
In the next few weeks baseball will begin to buzz with free agency, an amateur draft and spring training.. The Royals, coming off another surprisingly good season, will need to address one thing in the off season, pitching. The Royals were last in the league in quality starts, and with the exception of some good outings from Jeremy Affeldt and Kevin Millwood down the stretch, the Royals are searching for a quality top of the rotation starter.
Jeremy Affeldt lead the Royals in ERA with a 4.31
What makes the situation even more pressing is the certain departure of Shawn Chacon, whos stint in KC was less than stellar. Royals management will also need to decide if Vladimir Nunez, Chris Reitsma and Miguel Asencio have proven that they can handle back of the rotation duty. The Royals have signed journeyman pitcher Aaron Harang to a contract and will likely try to correct his problems on the mound, but if the Royals really plan to continue to compete, they must sign a top pitcher.
The Royals do have a nice collection of minor league talent on the rise with John Weisberg and Scott Woodworth already cruising to AAA. Weisberg posted a 3.46 ERA with 11 wins in AA and was promoted to AAA late in the season. He responded by posting an excellent 1.61 ERA over 22.1 innings. Woodworth was impressive as well with a solid 3.96 ERA over 175 innings, and he whiffed 172 for good measure. KC scouting has done well, and with young hitters coming up this year...see slugging first baseman Travis Ishikawa or quick rising shortstop Angel Sanchez.
In the next few weeks baseball will begin to buzz with free agency, an amateur draft and spring training.. The Royals, coming off another surprisingly good season, will need to address one thing in the off season, pitching. The Royals were last in the league in quality starts, and with the exception of some good outings from Jeremy Affeldt and Kevin Millwood down the stretch, the Royals are searching for a quality top of the rotation starter.
Jeremy Affeldt lead the Royals in ERA with a 4.31
What makes the situation even more pressing is the certain departure of Shawn Chacon, whos stint in KC was less than stellar. Royals management will also need to decide if Vladimir Nunez, Chris Reitsma and Miguel Asencio have proven that they can handle back of the rotation duty. The Royals have signed journeyman pitcher Aaron Harang to a contract and will likely try to correct his problems on the mound, but if the Royals really plan to continue to compete, they must sign a top pitcher.
The Royals do have a nice collection of minor league talent on the rise with John Weisberg and Scott Woodworth already cruising to AAA. Weisberg posted a 3.46 ERA with 11 wins in AA and was promoted to AAA late in the season. He responded by posting an excellent 1.61 ERA over 22.1 innings. Woodworth was impressive as well with a solid 3.96 ERA over 175 innings, and he whiffed 172 for good measure. KC scouting has done well, and with young hitters coming up this year...see slugging first baseman Travis Ishikawa or quick rising shortstop Angel Sanchez.