Surprise, Ariz. ? When James Baldwin looks at the young pitchers assembled in the Kansas City Royals’ spring clubhouse, he is astonished by their talent.

“In my 13 years, this is probably the best (group of) arms I’ve seen in a camp,” Baldwin said. “Everybody has got a live arm. I call them the 100 (mph) and above club.”

Baldwin, a 31-year-old right hander in camp with a minor-league contract, does not throw as hard as he once did. But after spending seven-plus years in the majors, compiling a 79-69 record and a 5.02 ERA, he could serve as a veteran leader on what will be an immature staff.

In 2000, Baldwin went 10-1 with the Chicago White Sox before the All-Star game and was the winner in the midsummer classic. He’s 21-28 since.

“After the All-Star game, I felt something in my arm,” Baldwin said. “I thought I could pitch through the soreness, but the pain wouldn’t go away. My velocity went down. We were a young team and ended up winning the division.”

In the AL division series that year, Baldwin started Game 3 and held the Seattle Mariners to three hits and one run in six innings in a no-decision. He had arthroscopic surgery Oct. 19.

“There was nothing going to keep me off that mound for the playoffs,” Baldwin said. “I was in pain.”

The Royals are Baldwin’s fourth club since 2001, when he pitched for the White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers. He went 7-10 with a 5.28 ERA last year with the Seattle Mariners, the first season he failed to win at least 10 games.

Kansas City pitcher James Baldwin, center, runs with Ronny Paulino (68) and Miguel Asencio Thursday in Surprise, Ariz. Baldwin hopes to join the Royals' starting rotation in 2003.

Baldwin said he has “no problem whatsoever” with his shoulder. “I feel I can go out and throw decent velocity-wise, but not 100 (mph),” said Baldwin, who believes he will be in the Royals’ rotation when camp breaks.

“I’ve still got to work and get them out,” he said. “They’re not going to give me anything. I came into spring training thinking I’ve got to win a job. Me coming over here is a good fit.”

Most of the pitchers the Royals are looking at this spring have less than a year of experience in the majors.

“We need veteran pitchers,” Royals manager Tony Pena said. “We just can’t go with young pitchers.”

And if that means Baldwin’s job with the club will include tutoring the inexperienced pitchers so be it.

“I have no ego,” Baldwin said. “I’m young myself, 31. God gave me this ability. To pass on the knowledge is a good feeling. I’ve been on winning teams, an All-Star game. To accomplish that is a dream. I want the young pitchers to feel they can come to me anytime, knowing the experience I have and getting to this level.”