Yesterday we debuted our Minor League Player Of The Month for April with Eric Hosmer being selected on the offensive side. As it turns out, May 5 will also go down in the annuals as the day Hosmer was called up to the major leagues.
We turn our attention to the pitching prospects in the Kansas City organization in what can be viewed as the deeper portion of the minor league system. Danny Duffy has been practically dominant in his five starts so far at AAA Omaha, pitching 26.0 innings with a 2-0 record, and a 2.08 ERA. His WHIP is 0.96 (the major league average is generally around 1.40), and he has 33 strikeouts while walking just six. Duffy is a 6'3" 200 lb southpaw from California who has cruised through the minor leagues since being selected in the third round of the 2007 draft.
At 22 years old Duffy is close to the majors and likely will be joining Hosmer at the big league level sometime in June or possibly July. However, while many of us knew Hosmer would be up soon, it came a major surprise to everyone that he was called up Thursday.
Other notable pitching efforts so far for the Royals farm system-
Mike Montgomery (Omaha) 2-1 33.0IP 2.45 ERA 1.27 WHIP 24 K's 19 Walks
Kevin Pucetas (Omaha) 2-0 23.0IP 1.96 ERA 0.91 WHIP 20K's 5 Walks
Mario Santiago (Northwest Arkansas) 2-0 19.0IP 1.42 ERA 0.89 WHIP 17K's 6 Walks
Blake Johnson (Northwest Arkansas) 1-0 18.0IP 0.00 ERA 1.06 WHIP 14K's 6 Walks
Jake Odorizzi (Wilmington) 2-0 26.0IP 2.42 ERA 1.00 WHIP 38K's 5 Walks
Noel Arguelles (Wilmington) 1-1 23.2IP 2.28 ERA 0.80 WHIP 19 K's 1 Walk
As you can see there were many bright spots over the first month. You can easily argue that Jake Odorizzi has the best month, looking at his 38 strikeouts and only five walks. Then you look at Blake Johnson having a 0.00 ERA, and Noel Arguelles has 19 strikeouts while only allowing one walk and the Royals have many pitching prospects to continue tracking and look forward to as they get closer to Kansas City.