The Kansas City Royals finished fourth last year in the AL Central with a 71-91 mark, but they are expecting to end this season with a record above .500 for the first time since 2003. This organization is loaded with young talent, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. The only question this team has is its starting rotation. Kansas City added Jonathan Sanchez from the Giants, but he is not the only player on the team that the organisation is pumped up about. Here is the starting pitching and bullpen situation with our Kansas City Royals prophecies.
Projected Pitching
Jonathan Sanchez (LHP) - The Royals are hoping he can throw like he did in 2010, when he went 13-9 with a 3.07 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 33 games. He was harmed due to injury bug last season, causing him to throw in just 19 games, where he went 4-7 with a 4.26 ERA and 1.44 WHIP. His number line isn't exactly that of a top starter, but he still remains to the top starter for Kansas City heading into the year.
Luke Hochevar (RHP) - Hochevar got back on course with an 11-win season in 2011, but there is still masses of work to be done. He must lower his 4.68 ERA and 1.28 WHIP if the team wants to contend in the AL Central going forward.
Bruce Chen (LHP) - For everything he was able to do last season, Chen just does not appear to get the appreciation he merits. He was arguably the Royals ' best pitcher in 2011. He went 12-8 with a 3.77 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 25 games. The left-hander is 24-15 during the last two years, and it seems like it'll be another double-digit win year in 2012.
Felipe Paulino (RHP) - After coming over in a trade with the Astros last year, it seemed as though Paulino eventually figured it out. In 20 starts with the Royals, the 28-year-old went 4-6 with a 4.11 ERA and 1.37 WHIP, after posting a subpar 7.36 ERA and 2.05 WHIP in relief appearances for Houston. Another promising sign for Paulino is his 133 strikeouts in 139.1 innings. The Royals hope he is ready to take that next step in 2012.
Danny Duffy (LHP) - In his first year in the big leagues, Duffy struggled and was not ready to do anything useful for the team. He went 4-8 with a 5.64 ERA and 1.61 WHIP. He walked 51 batters in just 105.1 innings of work. The Royals really don't have any other options at this point, so he is going to have a starting spot strictly by default, even though it looks that he'll take some time before growing into a trusty starter.
Projected Closer
Joakim Soria (RHP) - After starting the season in a sad slump, posting a 6.55 ERA in the 1st 2 months of the season, he managed to spin things round and ended up saving 28 games for the Royals. Soria converted 115 of 124 save opportunities from 2008-2010, which leads me to accept that he can return to form in 2012.
Projected Pitching
Jonathan Sanchez (LHP) - The Royals are hoping he can throw like he did in 2010, when he went 13-9 with a 3.07 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 33 games. He was harmed due to injury bug last season, causing him to throw in just 19 games, where he went 4-7 with a 4.26 ERA and 1.44 WHIP. His number line isn't exactly that of a top starter, but he still remains to the top starter for Kansas City heading into the year.
Luke Hochevar (RHP) - Hochevar got back on course with an 11-win season in 2011, but there is still masses of work to be done. He must lower his 4.68 ERA and 1.28 WHIP if the team wants to contend in the AL Central going forward.
Bruce Chen (LHP) - For everything he was able to do last season, Chen just does not appear to get the appreciation he merits. He was arguably the Royals ' best pitcher in 2011. He went 12-8 with a 3.77 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 25 games. The left-hander is 24-15 during the last two years, and it seems like it'll be another double-digit win year in 2012.
Felipe Paulino (RHP) - After coming over in a trade with the Astros last year, it seemed as though Paulino eventually figured it out. In 20 starts with the Royals, the 28-year-old went 4-6 with a 4.11 ERA and 1.37 WHIP, after posting a subpar 7.36 ERA and 2.05 WHIP in relief appearances for Houston. Another promising sign for Paulino is his 133 strikeouts in 139.1 innings. The Royals hope he is ready to take that next step in 2012.
Danny Duffy (LHP) - In his first year in the big leagues, Duffy struggled and was not ready to do anything useful for the team. He went 4-8 with a 5.64 ERA and 1.61 WHIP. He walked 51 batters in just 105.1 innings of work. The Royals really don't have any other options at this point, so he is going to have a starting spot strictly by default, even though it looks that he'll take some time before growing into a trusty starter.
Projected Closer
Joakim Soria (RHP) - After starting the season in a sad slump, posting a 6.55 ERA in the 1st 2 months of the season, he managed to spin things round and ended up saving 28 games for the Royals. Soria converted 115 of 124 save opportunities from 2008-2010, which leads me to accept that he can return to form in 2012.
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