+ THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014 PAGE 7 QUOTE OF THE DAY 'It's not a question of if there's going to be a young pitching phenom in 2014... It's more of a question of who's next? Here's a hint: Yordano Ventura.' Bleacher Report FACT OF THE DAY Zack Greinke, drafted in 2002, is the only Royals first-round pick to win the Cy Young with the Royals ESPN TRIVIA OF THE DAY O. Luke Hochevar was drafted No. 1 overall in 2005 by the Royals. Name one of the 3 Cy Young Winning pitchers that the Royals passed on by drafting Hochevar. A: Tim Lincecum, Max Scherzen Clayton Kershaw MLB.com THE MORNING BREW Royals prospects seek to change developmental woes D despite the fact that the Kansas City Royals recorded their first winning season since 2003 last year, it wouldn't be unfair to say the organization has struggled for a long time, proven by the fact that they haven't made the playoffs since 1985. One of the most glaring issues they've recently had is their inability to produce quality starting pitchers. In the last decade, the Royals have drafted seven pitchers in the first round of the MLB draft, and while a couple of these pitchers are too young to make judgment on yet, it's safe to say that pitchers like Matthew Campbell, J.P. Howell, Luke Hochevar and Mike Montgomery haven't exactly panned out. Some say it has been a drafting issue, others have said it has been a talent development issue, but either way it has been an issue. But, while Royals fans shouldn't get too excited just yet, it seems as though the Royals may have two homegrown future aces on their hands: Yordano Ventura and Kyle Zimmer. The two are ranked 26th and 23rd on Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects list, respectively, and, according to many baseball scouts, they have the potential to end the negative stigma put on the Royals' pitching development system. By Ben Burch sports@kansan.com Ventura, born in the Dominican Republic, has been working his way up the Royals' system since he was signed as an unrestricted free agent in 2008. And this season, Ventura will have the chance to make an immediate impact, as he was recently awarded the final spot in the Royals starting rotation after four stellar preseason outings so far. While it's true that spring training stats don't always translate to the regular season, Ventura has been impressive, nonetheless, with a 1.77 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 20.1 innings pitched. However, his preseason performance stats aren't the only things that have many pitching scouts buzzing about Ventura — it's the fact that the 22-year-old right-hander has some nasty stuff. His fastball can reach triple digits, and yet many say his best pitch is his curveball, which has a ton of depth to it. Because Ventura has these kind of pitches in his arsenal—if he is able to locate them well—he could be set up for a great season and an even better career as a Royals starter. Although Zimmer, the Royals' first round draft pick in 2012, will not be expected to make his major league debut until mid-season, the 22-year-old is projected to be one of the Royals' future stars down the road. At 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, the right-hander has the kind of size and strength that often signify a durable, workhorse, top-of-the-rotation kind of pitcher. And much like Ventura, he has a set of pitches ready for the major leagues. With a little more fine-tuning, he may live up to the expectations of many analysts, including ESPN senior baseball writer Keith Law, who called Zimmer "the future ace the Royals have been trying to develop since they traded Zack Greinke." So, can we say with absolute certainty that the bust-laden era of the dismal Royals pitching prospect is over? No, this is still the Royals, people. But, with pitching prospects like Ventura and Zimmer actually making good progress in the Royals system, one cannot but get a little excited. This week in athletics Edited by Nick Chadbourne Tuesday Women's golf 2014 Briar's Creek Invitational All day Johns Island, S.C. Wednesday Softball Wichita State 6 p.m. Wichita Track and field Texas Relays All day Austin, Texas Thursday Baseball Creighton 6 p.m. Omaha, Neb Track and field Texas Relays All day Austin, Texas Friday Tennis Oklahoma State 3:30 p.m. Lawrence Softball Oklahoma State 5 p.m. Lawrence Saturday Track and field Texas Relays All day Austin, Texas Baseball Oklahoma 6 p.m. Lawrence Soccer FC Kansas City 1 p.m. Lawrence Softball Oklahoma State p.m. Lawrence Rowing Sunflower Showdown Final Results Kansas City, Kan. Track and field Texas Relays All day Austin, Texas Baseball Oklahoma 2 p.m. Lawrence Softball Oklahoma State Noon Lawrence Sunday Tennis Oklahoma Noon Lawrence Baseball Oklahoma 1 p.m. Lawrence MLB Monday No events Baltimore Orioles' baseman recovers; new guy steps in ASSOCIATED PRESS SARASOTA, Fla. — Manny Machado is trying not to think when he'll play next for the Baltimore Orioles. On Sunday, manager Buck Showalter announced the AllStar third baseman will start the season on the disabled list. Machado, who had surgery on his left knee in October, is trying not to be disappointed. "I was just trying to get ready as fast as I can," Machado said. "Go out there and get ready and come back and help the team whenever I can," Machado said Monday. "It's unfortunate, but it's just part of it. I'm only five months out of surgery. So, obviously, I would have hoped to be ready for opening day, but it was just a longshot, just a hope." Machado was hoping to be ready for the March 31 opener against World Series champion Boston. Once he was slowed by a left calf muscle injury and scar tissue, he knew he wouldn't make it. "Fortunately, we've been pretty good but not yet." He visited his surgeon, Los Angeles Dodgers team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache, last Thursday, and was released for activity. "Just keep doing the same things I've been doing. Nothing changes," Machado said. "Go out there and keep doing what I'm doing, little by little, increasing things and hopefully get in games soon." Showalter said during the weekend that Machado will have a rehab stint. Baltimore executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette said that Machado has to pass definitive tests before he rejoins the team. RAINOUT: "He needs to meet some of these thresholds with his running before he can play," Duquette sad. "And after he meets those thresholds, running, he probably needs at least 50 at-bats to be prepared to compete in the major leagues." The Orioles' spring training game against the Boston Red Sox was canceled by rain after two scoreless innings. The game began after a delay of 79 minutes, and rain resumed falling in the bottom of the first. NO CHANGE: Jake Peavy of the Red Sox and Brian Matusz of the Orioles each pitched two scoreless innings. Boston manager John Farrell said outfielder Grady Sizemore will play three straight days beginning on Tuesday. Sizemore was expected to play Monday, Sizemore has not played in the majors since 2011 when he was with Cleveland. but Jackie Bradley, Jr. started instead. NEW GUY: Infielder Steve Lombardozzi, who was traded to Baltimore from the Detroit Tigers for Alex Gonzalez on Monday morning, arrived in time for the game though Showalter said he wouldn't have used him. 785-864-4358 JOBS Local catering company seeking part-time event staff. 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