Kyle Davies (what's in that KC water?)

[bigh0rt]

Cleveland can't hit anything right now, but Davies is throwing a ton of first pitch strikes, and his stuff looks great again tonight. 2 Ks through 3 with 1 BB and 1 H.

[J35J]

Davies has to keep consistancy with all his pitches. He doesn't have any 1 great pitch but can, and does, throw all his pitches for strikes and moves them around very well. He'll likely be up and down alot....up, when all his pitches are working and are located well and down, when he misses his spots and gives up 4 HR a game because of avg or barely above avg overall stuff.

[Omaha Red Sox]

I heard today at work that Davies was a top prospect 2 years running at one time...as a teenager. Is this true?

[bigh0rt]

I heard today at work that Davies was a top prospect 2 years running at one time...as a teenager. Is this true?

He was #9 in '04 and #4 in '06 in Atlanta's system in Baseball America and was their #53 overall Prospect in '05.

[garf112]

he was the top pitching prospect in the country at 14, whatever that is worth.

[Omaha Red Sox]

he was the top pitching prospect in the country at 14, whatever that is worth.

That must have been what he was talking about.

[AllDay]

he was the top pitching prospect in the country at 14, whatever that is worth.

That must have been what he was talking about.

He was still a top prospect for the Braves in 2005 and 2006. They could have also been talking about that. It's not like he was a complete disaster after lofty expectations at 14.

The 2nd post in this thread has a link to a short article about his history and it links to this longer one which discusses his young phenom status and his struggles with that label. It's a couple pages long - but worth a quick read:

http://www.kansascity.com/royals2009/st ... 55-p2.html

“All those expectations,” he says. “And I was trying so hard to fulfill them. I forgot how to pitch like myself. I always tried to pitch like someone I wasn’t, when Kyle Davies was enough.”

It started before he could drive, when he was considered the best pitcher of his age in America. Later in high school, it was seeing guys ranked below him surpassing his place as the can’t-miss talent. In Atlanta, it was playing with heroes and being expected to mature into one himself.

And now?

Now he smiles.

Now he’s ready for it.

KC seems to have a little success with players looking to overcome issues. Grienke seems to have done it and I remember Jim Eisenreich having trouble playing in front of crowds at the Metrodome but he was able to find some success in KC.

Granted the 2 players I mentioned doesn't represent a large sample size - but I see a guy with Davies background having a little success I'm gonna take a chance no matter where it is. I might be more wary if he was in NY or Philly - but in KC maybe he can build some confidence away from the spotlight.

[rotoquest]

but in KC maybe he can build some confidence away from the spotlight

If he passes his next start in texas, then that will do alot for his confidence and mine in him.

[AllDay]

but in KC maybe he can build some confidence away from the spotlight

If he passes his next start in texas, then that will do alot for his confidence and mine in him.

After last night, I'm thinking he'll be on my bench for that one. That 19 Texas put up is scary.

[Yoda]

but in KC maybe he can build some confidence away from the spotlight

If he passes his next start in texas, then that will do alot for his confidence and mine in him.

Yep. I recall adding Ervin last year after he pitched well in Arlington.