Kansas City Royals Promotion of Pitcher Danny Duffy Concerning

The Royals are hovering around .500 and are chasing the surprising Cleveland Indians.   In light of the success with which the Royals began the season, they were willing to promote rookies in attempt to fill needs and win games.  

While some fans may have concerns over super two status and arbitration, my greater concern is the development of some of these prospects and an extremely overworked bullpen.

Of the 9 rookies the Royals have used this season, I am most concerned about the recently promoted Danny Duffy.  While I love Duffy and believe he will be a fantastic pitcher for the Royals, he should have stayed in AAA. 

Manager Ned Yost was even quoted less than a week ago, suggesting they would wait on promoting pitchers Duffy, Mike Montgomery, and John Lamb because they weren’t ready yet.

The question remains:  Why promote Duffy? 

Duffy has a low to mid 90’s fastball, great changeup with movement, and an improving curveball. He has been pitching better than Montgomery and Lamb to start AAA.  Giving him a taste of the major leagues might help him if and when he goes back to the minors.

What’s not to like about the promotion? 

Duffy will be limited in the amount of innings he throws this year due to a shortened season last year. In today's start he will likely be on a pitch count and could very well tax the bullpen. The Royals bullpen has been overused already this year and only figures to get worse.

While it is nice to get a glimpse of next year and beyond, it is coming at a cost.  If 2012 is truly where the window begins to open, then don’t hurt the young bullpen arms this year.  Call up a pitcher like Kevin Pucetas who can eat innings or trade Kila Ka’aihue to a team like the Pirates, who will play him, for a pitcher you can use.

With all of their talent, there is optimism in Kansas City.  I just hope they use that talent the right way and continue to plan for their future.