The Royals lost to the Tigers yesterday, as starter Kyle Davies got touched for 5 runs in 6 IP. That moved his season ERA to 7.74 and his record to 1-8. It seemed like during the game that many, many Royals’ fans were questioning why Davies was still in their rotation. The joke about KC GM Dayton Moore having an affinity for former Braves isn’t new, but Davies might be the strongest example of it. Moore scouted the right-hander back when he was with Atlanta, and traded Octavio Dotel for him when he took over in Kansas City. Things have gone… not so well, since then.
Davies was well thought of as a prospect, but he didn’t do all that much in his rookie season. Not many K’s (6.4 per nine), too many walks (5 per nine), and some flyball tendencies that resulted in some balls leaving the yard (though not as many as one would have expected). Since then – going on 6 seasons and 669 IP – nothing has improved. Davies still doesn’t strike out many batters (6.3 K/9 career), walks too many (4.3 BB/9), and is prone to giving up the longball (1.2 HR/9). His ERA is 5.64. He is, for all intents an purposes, terrible*.
* By major league standards, obviously. If he wanted to play for my softball team, I’d be glad to have him.
Davies’ stuff doesn’t even seem that bad – 92 mph fastball, change-up, curve, slider turned cutter. But at some point, after failure after failure to turn that into results, one has to think that maybe the “potential” just won’t be reached. Guys this bad just don’t tend to keep getting chances – since 1900, no pitcher with a career ERA as bad as Davies’ has made as many starts (142). Perhaps it’s time for him to move into the next stage of his career – as a journeyman long reliever and occasional spot starter (when teams are desperate).
Also last night: The Red Sox beat the Orioles, but the actual news was the (near) brawl that ensued, instigated by Kevin Gregg and David Ortiz; an extra-inning walk-off homer by Raul Ibanez after a long rain delay extended the Phillies’ lead over Atlanta; Mike Trout made his debut in LA, but it was a power display by four other Angels (including Mike Trumbo’s walk-off bomb) that got them the win; and much more.
What to watch tonight: Tommy Hanson and Cliff Lee duel in Philly, as the Braves try to close in on the NL East leader; Daniel Hudson and Chris Carpenter face off in the day’s closest ERA match-up (3.75 vs. 3.74); and Johnny Cueto and Shaun Marcum go head-to-head an an NL Central battle. Full schedule with probable pitchers here.
