Kansas City Royals: Projecting Their 2011 Starting Rotation
The Kansas City Royals lost some viable starters in their rotation over the past offseason.
Veteran Gil Meche retired, Brian Bannister left for the Japanese league and former Cy Young Award-winner Zack Greinke was traded to the Brewers.
With all of this recent turnover and many familiar faces gone from seasons past, this year's starting rotation will be full of question marks.
The following is how I see it shaking out for KC in 2011.
5. Kyle Davies
1 of 5
Davies was once regarded as the best 14-year-old pitcher in America back in 1997.
Unfortunately for him, it didn't last, as he has labored through Major League Baseball with a record of 42-56 and career ERA of 5.49.
The Royals traded for him in 2007, and after a solid '08, he has struggled ever since. He'll need to step it up this year if he wants to remain in the team's long-term future plans.
4. Bruce Chen
2 of 5
The 33-year-old journeyman came out of nowhere last season when he won 12 games with a 4.17 ERA for KC.
It could be that Chen is finally starting to figure some things out at the big-league level after 12 years in the league—or last season could have just been a fluke.
Either way, we will find out if the former Braves prospect is for real this season.
3. Jeff Francis
3 of 5
Another new face in '11, Francis was signed by the Royals earlier this offseason in an effort to improve a young, inexperienced rotation.
The Vancouver, British Columbia native has had two solid seasons in '06 and '07 and if he can remain healthy, could be a big asset to this rotation.
He also gives the team another solid lefty that can eat up some innings, joining veteran Bruce Chen as the only other lefty starter in the current KC rotation.
.png?w=256)
2. Vin Mazzaro
4 of 5
The former Oakland Athletic was acquired by Kansas City in the David DeJesus trade back in November.
He had a solid season last year with the A's, winning six games and compiling a 4.27 ERA in 18 starts.
Mazzaro also possesses arguably the most upside out of any starters that the Royals will be showcasing in their rotation this season, and he has a chance to be a solid number-two starter in this league.
1. Luke Hochevar
5 of 5
Hochevar is the default ace for this year's staff after the departures of Greinke and Meche.
The former number-one overall pick in the 2006 MLB Draft has yet to live up to the hype, but he will get a great chance to do it this year as the club's ace.
The former University of Tennessee Volunteer will need to lower his career 5.60 ERA and 1.45 WHIP if he is going to keep his spot at the top of the Royals' rotation in 2011.
.png?w=480)
