Kyle Davies

Davies entered 2009 as the Royals' No. 3 starter after a brilliant September in his first year with the club. Last season turned out to be an inconsistent year for Davies on the mound as he posted a 8-9 record with a 5.27 ERA. Although he was one of the more reliable starters, Davies struggled through the summer months before closing out the year with four straight victories. Davies strikes out enough batters to be effective (6.30 K/9IP) but walked too many in 2009 (86:66 K:BB ratio). With his strong September showing, Davies may have provided the Royals' brass enough confidence to have him begin the 2010 season as the No. 4 or No. 5 starter.

Davies started 2008 with Triple-A Omaha, but was called up at the end of May to replace Brett Tomko. He looked like a fringe major leaguer over his first 16 starts, going 5-6 with a .303 BAA and 47:36 K:BB ratio over 81.1 innings. But he was very strong in five September starts (.198 BAA, two eight-strikeout performances, just seven walks issued in 31.2 innings pitched), three of which came against teams in the playoff race. He credited a mental-strengthening program with his late-season success, and he should have the confidence and pitch control to land a middle-of-the-rotation spot in 2009.

Davies came to Kansas City in the Octavio Dotel deal at the trade deadline, but he struggled with his new team while pitching in the back of the rotation. He still has a nice low-90's fastball, but has struggled with location, throwing seven wild pitches and hitting three batters in just 50 innings pitched in the junior circuit. He also allowed 10 home runs with the Royals. He will have to settle down to earn Kansas City's fourth or fifth starter job, otherwise he'll find himself pitching in long-relief or in Omaha.

Last season was basically wiped out by injury for Davies, who had surgery for a torn right groin in May and wasn't right when he returned in August. Davies was viewed as Atlanta's top pitching prospect entering 2005, but has struggled with his control at the major league level. Davies has 95-mph heat and a strong change-up, but he'll need to get his walk rate in line with his minor league marks to become a star in the majors. He'll be in the mix for the fifth starter role, but needs to show he's healthy next spring.

Davies was viewed as Atlanta's top pitching prospect entering 2005 and he was called up after a solid showing at Triple-A with a 3.19 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 73 1/3 innings. He started 2-1 with a 1.86 ERA in his first five starts for the Braves, but struggled with a 4.74 ERA the rest of the season and was moved to the bullpen. There were warning signs at Triple-A when he posted just a 62/34 K/BB ratio and then that trend continued in the majors with a 62/49 K/BB ratio. Davies has 95-mph heat and a strong change-up, but he'll need to get his walk rate in line with his minor league marks to become a star in the majors. He'll enter spring training with a spot in the bullpen and will compete for any open spots in the rotation.

Davies tore up high Single-A with 95 mph heat and a strong change-up, then continued to pitch well when promoted to Double-A, posting a combined 13-3 record and 2.72 ERA with 168/55 K/BB ratio. He'll likely open the season at Triple-A but could get called up as early as this summer and is worth a grab for your minor league squad.