Quote:
Originally Posted by RockChalk
One little tidbit I took away from Yost's comments/announcement. He specifically mentioned the 5th spot was now up for grabs between Chen, Mendoza, Smith, and Ventura
He'd previously never been mentioned as in the running. Might the Royals let his dominant ST (so far) make their decision for them?
I ask that seriously...Duncan, any insight on this? Am I wishful thinking and is Ventura a lock to start in high minors?
|
I don't know that Ventura's candidacy would be about the numbers he's producing. I would HOPE it's about the other things (secondary pitch development, command, mechanics).
Those are the things he has needed to work on. Maybe they've come so far along that they just feel he's ready. They have not rushed SP in the past, so if he goes North with the big club and is in the No. 5 spot, I would tend to trust it.
It's also not like they don't have other options at No. 5.
Maybe a bit of it is also learning a litte lesson from Mike Montgomery, circa 2011. Monty looked like a future MLB all-star/Cole Hamels clone in ST that year. They demoted him, and he was NEVER the same (velocity tumbled, command and control evaporated).
It would be a very surprising move, though, considering he was expected to start the year at AA. That AA rotation will bear watching, regardless. Lamb, Zimmer, Adam, Selman all expected to do some work there this year.