What Will 2012 Bring to Kansas City?

By Tim Pafford

        Spring training is not far away.  Before we know it our Kansas City Royals will be reporting to Surprise, AZ and #BruceJuiceChen will be near running distance to his place of work.  If that isn't enough for this  comic veteran to look forward to, he also has two other Lefty Starters to assist him this year.

       Yes, The Kansas City Royals have picked up another Lefty Starter with the level of talent as Bruce!  None other than Jonathan Sanchez of the 2010 SF Giants fame!  This is a player who was 2nd in all pro-baseball with strike-out percentage behind only team-mate Tim Lincecum in 2010.  Though he did spend much of 2011 on the bench, he is reported to be fully recovered and ready to preform for Kansas City.  He says the only thing he is going to miss will be batting.

       With the return on Danny Duffy, with a new level of pro experience, this could make for a great batch of left handed starters in Kansas City.  Now, it is only a matter of seeing if Luke H. can maintain his level of command and strike-outs as he did in the 2nd half of 2011.  If he can, we maybe seeing a solid #1 starter in KC.

         The #5 spot will come in time.  There are plenty of strong pitchers on the roster for Kansas City.  It is just a matter of time who is chosen to be a starter.  Aaron Crow certainly has the experience of a starting pitcher from his years in college, but does he have what it takes to be a starter at the professional level?  I am not sure, but I will but money down on a bet that says Ned Yost will at least give him a shot.  Plus there is still Sean O'Sullivan.  He can eat innings and he has been taking more care of what he eats off the field.  If he does stay trim and can continue his level of consistency, I can see Sean being the #5.

         But that is all a matter of time.  I know I am growing impatient for the baseball season to start just typing this article.  I really should stop and go throw a baseball around in this Spring-like winter that Kansas City is enjoying.  I hope you will too.

       Here is to 2012 and a great baseball season in Kansas City.  (I didn't forget the All-Star Game....  That will be for later....;))