By Josh Boyd
March 28, 2003

SURPRISE, Ariz.--Now that the minor league spring training schedule has shrunk to two weeks, the Royals have joined the growing numbers of organizations offering a pre-spring mini-camp for younger prospects.

"It was an opportunity to build pitch counts up," Royals assistant farm director Shaun McGinn said. "They're raring to go. It worked perfect for pitchers."

Righthander Zack Greinke, the system's top prospect, was one of the nine pitchers invited to participate in the mini-camp.

"We've been extremely impressed with Greinke," McGinn said. "He's a very special individual."

Though Greinke only worked 12 innings in his pro debut after signing for $2.475 million as the ninth overall pick last June, he is hardly a typical high school pick heading into his first full season.

Because the Royals decided against holding an instructional league last fall, they sent the 19-year-old Greinke to pitch in the Puerto Rican League, an unprecedented move for an American high schooler in his first season. Skeptics feared the aggressive move could backfire and affect Greinke's development. Not only was he thrust into an environment he wasn't familiar with less than six months after graduating from Apopka (Fla.) High, he also was one of the youngest players in a league made up of more experienced minor leaguers and some major leaguers.

Greinke not only survived, he walked away as one of the circuit's top prospects. He has continued to shine this spring.

"Maturity and pitchability wise, he's so composed and so focused," McGinn said. "He's not very easily rattled. He's a very calm kid."

Greinke will start 2003 where he ended his debut season--in high Class A Wilmington. He sits in the 90-92 mph range, but he can get to 94-95 mph at times.

"He is very intelligent," McGinn said. "When he needs (mid-90s) it's there. If he makes a mistake, he comes right back and shows the ability to make quick adjustments.

"That's what sets him apart. To see this guy pitch, you say there's no way he's 19."

Shortstop Andres Blanco, who turns 19 on April 11, will join Greinke in Wilmington with equal fanfare.

While Blanco's skipping two levels and has just 13 at-bats above the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, the Royals want to allow time for his bat to catch up with his major league-ready defense. He has outstanding footwork and quick hands with natural shortstop actions.

"He's got good plate discipline, but needs a more consistent setup at the plate," McGinn said. Blanco hit .249-0-14 in 193 at-bats in the GCL last year. "He's a good bunter with average to above-average speed. He just needs more time in the minor leagues.

"His defense is so good, but he tends to be too quick and flashy at times."

McGinn said the Royals decision to aggressively promote Greinke and Blanco was easy. "It comes down to the individual guy. Both are mature beyond their years, and you have to look at mental makeup to be able to handle the adversity. They've shown that they are capable of that.

"With Greinke, he works down in the zone, throws strikes and throws his off-speed (pitch) when he's behind in the count. Blanco is major league ready defensively and has a pretty good short game. Their tools are beyond that league."

The Royals have also been pleased with the progress lefthander Mike Stodolka made with the benefit of the mini-camp.

Selected fourth overall in 2000 out of a California high school, Stodolka has gone 11-22, 5.04 over the last two years in low Class A Burlington. "We worked on a few things with him and he came in ready to go," McGinn said. "But also, we've made some slight mechanical adjustments."

Stodolka, 21, hits 84-88 mph with two- and four-seam fastballs and also features a good changeup and a slurvy breaking ball. Without overpowering velocity, though, he has to be perfect with his location and rely on his secondary pitches.

• Righthander Kyle Middleton, 22, is coming on strong. The 6-foot-6, 230-pounder was a 49th round draft-and-follow signed in 2000. He went 14-5, 3.74 under the radar in Burlington last season.

He throws 90-92 and touches 94 mph with a good curveball and good changeup, according to McGinn. "He just has to be consistent and pitch down in the zone," McGinn said. "He's already got the stuff."

• Righthander Colt Griffin is heading back to low Class A Burlington with some new mechanics. Spring pitching consultant Dave Stewart and Burlington pitching coach Tom Burgmeier have worked with the fire-balling Griffin to help him repeat his delivery and improve his direction to the plate. Griffin has responded by throwing more strikes, especially first-pitch strikes and inducing contact early in the count.

"He has so much stuff, like a Mike MacDougal, it he just throws it over the plate he'll get people out," McGinn said. "We've tried to instill that in him and he made strides in mini-camp."

• MacDougal was dominant in his one-inning stint Thursday. His maximum-effort delivery is so violent that his head jerk caused his hat to fall off on six consecutive pitches. MacDougal has issued nine walks in 11 innings this spring, which will likely prevent him from stepping in as closer. However, his electric fastball was clocked at 95-98 mph with plus life, and he threw his filthy 83 mph slider over the plate.

• Several of the Royals up-and-comers were rewarded with a start against the Rangers in a major league game yesterday. Second baseman Ruben Gotay, third baseman Damaso Espino and DH David Jensen all made appearances against Chan Ho Park.

• Righthanders Kyle Snyder, Wes Obermueller and Jeremy Hill were impressive in camp, but will head back to Triple-A Omaha to start the season.