doublestix

click the link for info on it. bottom line i need someone to take over the duties and i'd prefer it to be a royals fan which is why i am posting it here. i got my work schedule and it interferes with the mock draft which is why i can not participate as i thought i could. let me know so i can let John know. it's on Saturday at noon. 3 rounds with little/no break between them, rapid fire mode.

everyone else tendered. Pena and Betemit agreed to contracts for next year as well.

With the clear-cut plus fastball from the left side, the flashes of the plus hook, and developing changeup, Duffy has the type of stuff you put near the top of a big league rotation. Whether he ever develops the type of command in the zone to be that type of pitcher remains to be seen. Right now, he's not a guy who is pinpointing his pitches and relies more on challenging hitters with his plus stuff over the heart of the plate. Right now, his overall command of his secondary pitches make him more of a third starter or perhaps a two. But, if he can consistently spot his curveball or changeup, then we suddenly have an ace-type pitcher on our hands. In either case, the Royals have to be very pleased that they have Duffy back on the baseball field.

Dutton gave 7 names under consideration... Everett Teaford ... pretty much a lock and was considered for Sept. call up. this is a no brainer. Clint Robinson ... personally i would add him. it's true that 1B's aren't taken often but there also aren't 1B's that hit like he did available very often. could easily see a team in the NL or maybe a team like SEA or TB take a shot at him since they are in need of a 1B. David Lough ... should be another no brainer. really came on at end of season in 2010. maybe even candidate for RF next year... Derrick Robinson ... this is where you have to do the homework. there's pretty much no chance this guy is ready for ML duty next year. but, if there's another team that likes him enough (and it only takes one) then they could stash him on the bench as a 4th OF/defensive replacement/pinch runner fairly easily. Paulo Orlando ... similar situation here, but probably not the asset Robinson would be on an ML bench. might be a better hitter though NOW though. i probably would not protect him. Mario Santiago ... somewhat similar to Teaford in that he's an older prospect. never had big K's but doesn't walk many and gets grounders at a decent rate (1.69 minor league rate). having a really good winter if that means anything. i'd have to strongly consider him. Eduardo Paulino ... really i hope they're not strongly considering this guy because i'm not seeing it. unless he throws hard as hell or something and i just don't know it.

should royals make an offer? had good rookie year, bad 1st half last year, then was terrific in July/August/Sept. UZR, for what it's worth, rated him about average in his first year playing 2B. might be able to play SS still, has versatility. might take a decent piece to get him, might be worth it though.

• Catcher Wil Myers, one of the organization’s top prospects, began taking fly balls as a possible first step to becoming an outfielder. Club officials believe his bat can be big-league ready within a year but acknowledge his catching skills are less advanced. For now, plans call for Myers, 19, to start next season as a catcher. • Outfielder Brett Eibner, a second-round pick last June, is drawing raves from multiple club officials as a potential five-tool player. That’s pretty heady stuff for a 21-year-old who has yet to play in a professional game. • Right-hander Tim Melville, 21, "showed the most improvement of any guy in camp," according to Sharp. Melville’s stock dipped this season after going 2-12 with a 4.97 ERA in 22 starts at Wilmington. Club officials quickened his tempo, which paid dividends with all of his pitches. • Right-hander Jason Adam, a fifth-round pick in June from Blue Valley Northwest, has yet to play professionally because, like Eibner, he signed late. He impressed observers by displaying a mid-90s fastball with a good breaking ball. • Former NFL quarterback Pat White, 24, showed potential as an outfielder after shaking the rust from six years of not playing competitive baseball. "If you would have seen him day one and see him now," Sharp said, "different guy. His arm is two grades better than it was day one." • Kevin David’s emergence as a legitimate prospect bolsters an already deep group of catchers that makes it easier for the Royals to contemplate shifting Myers to the outfield. David, 22, was a 19th-round pick in June who batted .277 in 37 games at short-season Idaho Falls while displaying solid defensive skills. • Shortstop Alex McClure, 21, is a slick-fielding defensive player whom several club officials labeled as the camp’s biggest surprise because of his bat. Perhaps he was just knocking off the rust after not playing last season at Middle Tennessee following his transfer from Vanderbilt. McClure batted just .232 in 67 games in the low minors after his selection last June in the 11th round.

Bryce (Kansas City): Where do you see Wil Myers playing when he makes the majors: C, RF, or somewhere else? Jim Callis: I've been working on our Midwest League prospects list, and people keep telling me they think he can make it behind the plate. He has the arm strength, and while he's raw as a receiver, he has the desire to make it happen. If that's the case, he's even more valuable. We'll see, but he has a better chance to catch than I previously thought.