Brian Bannister

Bannister had a disappointing 2009 as he ended the season with a 7-12 record, 4.73 ERA in 154 innings. He was placed on the disabled list in early September due to arm fatigue that may have played a role in his dismal summer. Although Bannister does not have overpowering stuff and pitches to contact (9.4 H/9IP), he does eat innings as he went at least six innings in 18 of 26 starts. All indications point to Bannister being ready for spring training as he battles for a spot in the back of the Kansas City rotation.

Bannister followed up his Rookie of the Year caliber 2007 season with an extremely disappointing 2008 season. He went a span of 13 starts without picking up a victory, and most of those were his fault (.391 OBP against, 16 home runs). The biggest causes for his struggles were his inability to keep the ball in the park (28 home runs allowed) and an increased walk rate (2.93 per nine innings). Both of those are out of line with his historical stats, as is his .316 BABIP, so there's some hope for a rebound. However, one has to wonder how much this past season rattled him. Either way, he is assured a spot in the Royals rotation to start the season.

Traded for reliever Ambiorix Burgos in December 2006, Bannister became the second-most reliable starter on the Royals and finished third in the AL Rookie of the Year award. He possesses a nice curveball and good control, and will work on a second out-pitch this winter. He'll need that second pitch to improve his modest strikeout rate (4.20 per nine), but enters 2008 as Kansas City's No. 2 or 3 starter.

After a sterling preseason, Bannister broke camp as the Mets' fifth starter and showed an ability to work in-and-out of trouble. However, in just his fifth start of the year, he suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain that ended up sidelining him for four months. Upon returning to the majors, he saw minimal action and was deemed expendable, resulting in his trade to KC for Ambiorix Burgos. Bannister will take his low-90s fastball, 12-to-6 curveball and cutter to the Royals, where he should compete for a rotation spot.

Bannister, who was drafted in the seventh round in 2003 out of USC, continued his rapid progression up the Mets minor league ladder, finishing 2005 at Triple-A Norfolk. He spots his 90-mph fastball to both sides of the plate, while mixing in a devastating 12-to-6 curveball and an improving cutter. The negatives on Bannister include the lack of late movement on a fastball that has average velocity, a below-average changeup, and inconsistency with his curveball. Despite these flaws, with a solid start to the year, he could be in line for a call-up in 2006 and projects as fourth or fifth starter.