Kansas City Royals promote Danny Duffy and insert him into the starting rotation

LJWorld.com weblogs Broken Bat Single Kansas City Royals Blog

Posted by Nick Scott May 17, 2011 at 10:18 a.m.

With the injury to Kyle Davies and the inneffectiveness of Vin Mazzaro last night, it was only a matter of time before the Royals made some moves to help the starting Rotation.

The first move came when the Royals optioned Vin Mazzaro to Omaha (AAA) and promoted Everett Teaford in his place. However, if Davies were to go on the disabled list, there would be a need for a starter. That move was announced today when the Royals said that they will be promoting highly-regarded pitching prospect Danny Duffy from Omaha to Kansas City.

He will be making his first Major League start on Wednesday against the Texas Rangers. Prior to the season Danny Duffy was rated by Baseball America as the 68th best prospect in baseball. At Omaha Duffy has been fantastic. In 36 innings, he's posted a 3.00 ERA while striking out 43 and walking only 10. While I was in Surprise, AZ for Spring Training he was creating a lot of buzz with scouts. He throws a hard fastball in the upper-90's with some movement due to his 3/4 arm slot.

Last year at the beginning of the season, Duffy walked away from baseball but to the great joy of the Royals organization he decided to come back later that same year.

If he were to stay on the Royals roster for the rest of the season, it's almost assured that he will be eligible for a fourth year of arbitration under the "super two" rule. The Royals have shown that they are willing to ignore the financial ramifications of early call-ups if it helps the team win games today. It seems to be a break from what the Royals have done in the past and a gamble that could backfire on them down the road.

So far Danny Duffy is the second highly touted promotion from the Royals loaded farm system. There are more to come as the season wears on. They should be able to help the team, but the real question remains as to whether or not they can keep the Royals in contention.

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parrothead8 2 years, 1 month ago

He can't do any worse than Mazzaro...but he could do a lot better. Within a month, Duffy will probably be the best pitcher in KC's rotation.

CHEEZIT 2 years, 1 month ago

Why is it that an opposing team scoring 14 against a pitcher is entirely the pitcher's fault? Where was the coach while all this was going on? Apparently brain dead!!!

Tytanium 2 years, 1 month ago

That isn't really how professional baseball works. He was only in the game for 2 1/3 innings and gave up 14 runs. The starting pitcher was in for one out and four batters before he came out with an injury.

Nick Scott 2 years, 1 month ago

It's not entirely the pitchers fault, there was a lot of bad luck on that night and things compounded. I think it's certainly debateable as to whether or not Ned Yost shoul'dve pulled him, but I can see both sides.

parrothead8 2 years, 1 month ago

I agree with Nick that it's not entirely the pitcher's fault, but on this night I think most of the blame has to rest with Mazzaro. He was awful, giving up eight hits and two walks in one inning.

Bobby Cox used to say that no matter what you do, you're going to win 1/3 of your games and lose 1/3 of your games. It's what you do with the other 1/3 that matter. This was one of those that the Royals were going to lose no matter what, and someone had to take one for the team.

However, it's curious that Yost didn't pull him quicker. In the three days previous to this game, the bullpen had pitched a total of two innings. They were certainly well-rested. I probably would have taken Mazzaro out after Hafner's double that cleared the bases and made it 7-0. It was certainly evident by then that he was struggling. After LaPorta's double made it 10-0, the game was a lost cause.

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