Righty Kyle Farnsworth, who hasn't started a game since 2000, is going to get a shot at the rotation this spring:
Royals Pitcher Kyle Farnsworth To Try Starting Again
“Kyle Farnsworth is competing for a job in the rotation,” pitching coach Bob McClure revealed Wednesday.
...
“We’re going to lengthen him out and see how it goes,” McClure said. “Because what he showed me last year was the ability to back off a little bit and not pitch with his hair on fire. And, to be a starter, you have to be able to just kind of go pitch-by-pitch.”
It's unknown how Farnsworth would potentially fit into a rotation that's returning all five of its 2009 primary starters along with Robinson Tejeda, but that aside, it's not as crazy a move as it sounds - the fastball/slider reliever added a two-seamer last year that allowed him to give hitters a third look. In addition, historically he hasn't shown much of a platoon split, posting equivalent strikeout rates against both righties and lefties.
There's no guarantee that Farnsworth will work out in a bigger role, but he has the repertoire and track record to justify a look as the Royals attempt to get a return on their $9.25m/2yr investment. Should Farnsworth fail to impress as a starter this spring, he will go back to competing for a setup role in front of Joakim Soria.
See what Royals fans are saying about this at Royals Review.
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