NUMBER 6: Tyler Lumsden - LHP
One of (if not the first) deals Dayton Moore made was the Mike MacDougal trade, which saw us acquire Lumsden from the White Sox. Moore's made a real effort to stockpile some young arms, and Lumsden is a big part of this movement. A 6-4, 215 lb. lefty, Lumsden is a big guy with (hopefully) a bright future as a starting pitcher.
Lumsden was drafted in the first round by the Sox in 2004 (out of Clemson) and is 23 years old. He looked good in 2006 after missing the '05 season due to an elbow surgery to remove bone chips. He seems to have bounced back with no problems, posting good numbers in AA last season. He went a combined 11-5 between AA Birmingham and Wichita, with a 2.77 ERA and 96 K's in 159 innings.
He's got three good pitches - a low 90's fastball (that can top out around 95-96), a curve and a changeup....he throws all three well and has a good delivery. Lumsden is also pretty athletic, and a good fielder at his position. The downside, according to a couple of reports I've read, is that he has trouble with his mechanics. This leads to him floating the ball up into the strike zone at times, which makes him more hittable. If he can get this kink worked out, he should hold opposing batters to a lower average (they hit .257 against him in '06).
PROJECTION:
Lumsden will likely start this season in Omaha, he may have had a shot at the big leagues with a tremendous Spring Training, but the Royals look to have a crowded rotation now, so he'll likely go to AAA and work on his mechanics. He should be one of the first to be called on in case of injury or a need for pitching help this season. I'd look for Lumsden to get some time in KC this season, and to have a definite shot at the rotation in 2008 and beyond.
Countdown resumes on Monday....
3 comments:
He's definetly got a lot of questions on him. Is his command good enough for the majors? Can he fix his mechanics?
If Lumsden doesn't pan out, we got shafted on the MacDougal trade.
The thing that concerns me about Lumbsden is the obscene walk totals he started to have when he came over to the Royals. Maybe he lost his command because he got tired late in the season. I certainly hope it was not the Wichita staff's effect on him or the Royals trying to screw with his mechanics.
Thanks for the comments....in response to the first one: I don't know if his mechanics can be worked out. I think they probably CAN, but is he willing to put in the work?
To the second comment: Could be that he got a little tired - or it could be, as you also suggested, the Royals "screwing" with his mechanics....although maybe not really "screwing" with them as much as trying to make them more consistent.
You guys make good points.....
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