Zack Greinke: Baseball's Best Story in 2009

Raise your hand if you saw this coming. I sure didn’t.

Two years ago, I had written Zack Greinke off as a failed prospect and tossed his name in with the Todd Van Poppels of the world.

Mental issues had many doubting his future in baseball. Clinical depression and previous failure do not mix well together.

In 2005, Greinke experienced both as he led the majors with 17 losses and a 5.40 ERA, followed by an injury-filled year in 2006.

Fast-forward to this year and you find Greinke on top of the majors as the hottest pitcher in baseball. 

2009: 6-0, 45 IP, 3 CG, 2 ER, 50 K, .40 ERA

May 4 vs. Chicago White Sox: CG, SHO, 10 K, 0 BB, 0 ER 

Kansas City pitching coach Bob McClure attributes the improvement to a new-found ability to add or subtract six miles per hour off his fastball. He also says Greinke has learned how to properly use his change-up—something he just didn’t have a grasp on last year.

Greinke's 2009 start has been among the most impressive in recent memory, leading the majors in all three pitching triple crown categories. 

You can bet that Royals general manager Dayton Moore is grinning from ear to ear when he considers Greinke’s performance thus far. Before the season, it was his call to offer a long-term contract to the dominant righty.

It was also Dayton’s decision to not trade Greinke when several teams came calling.

Kaufman stadium can be found bare on many days. The Royals normally do not draw a large crowd.

That changes when Greinke pitches.

In the last home game he started, the Royals had 22,000 in attendance. Maybe this information could do the team some good.

Play good baseball and people come to your games. What a fantastic concept.

Greinke sizzles in win No. 6 [Dick Kaegel/MLB.com]