Kansas City Royals Prospect Watch: Jake Odorizzi

By many accounts, Royals' starting pitching prospect Jake Odorizzi was the centerpiece of a trade that sent former Cy Yong Award winner Zack Greinke to the Brewers back in the '11 offseason.

After all, Odorizzi was a former first-round pick and was just coming off a year where he compiled a 3.43 ERA and struck out 135 batters in nearly 121 innings for Double-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.

Last year, the Breese, Illinois native went 10-7 with a 3.73 ERA and 157 strikeouts in 27 starts combined between Single-A and Double-A ball.

Odorizzi started off the '12 season with Double-A Northwest Arkansas, and here are his updated numbers as of Monday night:

G: 3

GS: 3

W: 1

L: 1

ERA: 6.75

IP: 10.2

HR: 1

BB: 5

K: 14

WHIP: 1.41

K/9: 11.8

E: 0

From looking at his early numbers so far this season, Odorizzi has obviously struggled with his command, as he is giving up nearly seven runs per nine innings worked.

The 22-year-old right-hander has loads of talent, but until he can figure out how to put it all together, it might be a while before we see him with the big league club in Kansas City.

Until then, Stay tuned.