Zack Greinke

2013

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2012

Greinke's strikeouts and walks indicate that he pitched better than his ERA shows for 2011. He finished with an ERA of 3.83, but had a career high 10.54 K/9IP while walking just 2.36 BB/9. The long ball was a bit of a problem for him and he also ran into some bad luck. Greinke is still one of the better pitchers in the National League, so don't be fooled by his ERA and look for better numbers during his second season with the Brewers.

2011

The 2009 Cy Young Award winner came back to earth in 2010, but it was hardly a crash. His strikeout rate dipped to his 2006 level, and his HR/FB rate spiked after he posted a career-low in 2009. Greinke might not match his 2009 brilliance again, but his stuff is better than last year's 4.17 ERA, and his xFIP of 3.76 wasn't much higher than his 2009 mark. Now with the Brewers, Greinke will get a chance to pitch for a team ready to contend and in a market that shouldn't overwhelm a player that has dealt with a social anxiety disorder in the past.

2010

Greinke topped off a tremendous season by being named the 2009 American League Cy Young Award winner. The face of the Royals' franchise, Greinke dominated the opposition en route to a 16-8 record with a 2.16 ERA and 242 strikeouts in 229.1 innings. He's a complete pitcher, being able to throw any pitch in any count, and his arsenal features a mid-90s fastball and a devastating slider. Despite being a power pitcher, Greinke has supreme control (4.75 K/BB). Expectations will be at an all-time high in 2010 for the 26-year-old, but Greinke is the clear-cut ace of the Royals' staff and someone management is looking to build around in the years to come.

2009

In a word, finally. Greinke finally reached 200 innings in a season and he finally showed signs of being the ace we thought he would be. He tied for fifth in the AL in strikeouts in 2008 and his 3.47 ERA ranked 10th. The mental problems that hounded him early in his career should no longer be an issue. Note that his BABIP was .318 (right above his career average, and a little worse than the norm), but he frequently stranded the runners that got on, causing us not to worry about a possible regression. He should be KC’s No. 1 or 2 starter entering 2009, and will likely improve as he nears his prime.

2008

Greinke exercised his 2006 demons in 2007 and showed his capability as both a starter and a reliever. After some early-season struggles in the rotation, he was moved to the bullpen where he posted a 55:15 K:BB ratio in 53.1 innings. He dominated in seven late-season starts, posting a 1.85 ERA and turning in a 10-strikeout performance against the White Sox. He's got four pitches he can spot for strikes, and he enters the 2008 season as the team's No. 3 starter.

2007

The 2006 season was a lost one for Greinke, who began the year on the disabled list for "personal issues" and then remained in Double-A until September. The personal issues were described as anxiety around groups and an unnatural drive for baseball. The Royals allowed the young phenom to fight his demons and didn't pressure him to return. That pressure will increase in 2007, with the Royals hoping some tough love will put him back on track to become the ace of the staff. It may be important to note that Greinke was good but not dominant in Wichita after returning.

2006

The free-spirited Greinke downplayed a poor spring, saying he couldn't get excited about games that don't matter. Maybe that's why his 2005 season was so poor, because very few of the Royals' games mattered. Even so, it was the worst season of his life, finishing 5-17 and avoiding a 20-loss season only through the Royals' effective rotation management and a couple strong late starts. His carefree nature and obvious talent will help him bounce back from this debacle possibly as quickly as this season.

2005

A deceptive thrower with enough pitches, speeds and locations to frustrate most batters. The key for Greinke and the Royals will be to keep the youngster – not 22 until after the 2005 season – healthy and confident as the expected bumps in the road come along. Many point to his maturity as a strength, but outings like the four home runs he allowed to Baltimore in late July and to Seattle in August would get to anyone. He claims to have an upper-90s fastball but doesn’t let it go because control is an issue. Should he add that to his arsenal, he might just become the next Greg Maddux.

2004

Greinke dominated high Single-A and pitched well in Double-A. He will be given his first chance at a major-league job this spring but is probably destined for another season in the minors. His control and power pitching could make him a special player. The Royals know this and are being very careful with him.

2003

Greinke was chosen by the Royals in the 2002 draft as a pitcher but could have easily been chosen as a third basemen. He hit in excess of .400 every year in high school, but his strong arm is what caused Kansas City to make him their first round pick. Possessing four pitches, he’s yet to develop one that stands out but he’s only 19. He works his fastball in the low 90’s, but scouts believe developing arm strength may result in an increase in velocity, which would catapult his prospects. Other than athleticism, the Royals feel he is exceptionally polished for a player one year out of high school because of high intellect, and a strong work ethic. He’ll begin 2003 at High Class-A, a steep level for a player with less than one-year professional experience. He should advance quickly through the system, particularily if he can find a little more velocity on the fastball, and show the maturity to use his other pitches in crucial situations.