Quote:
Originally Posted by Rams Fan
Here's my attempt at filling out your list with only guys drafted from 2002 onward:
Cardinals: Depends how you count Alcantara, Gallen Came up with different team, no credit
Cubs:
Astros: Keuchel I never thought of him as a true ace, but I guess some could.
Phillies: Hamels Credit - I forgot he was 2002, Nola Not an ace
Blue Jays:
Diamondbacks:
Orioles: Arrieta They drafted him, but he was horrible until he left them. No credit.
Red Sox: Lester Another guy I wouldn't really think of as an ace, but I guess some could.
White Sox: Sale Absolute brain fart moment for me
Reds: Cueto Signed as an IFA, not drafted
Rockies:
Angels (unless you count Ohtani): Jered Weaver Not an ace
Twins:
Mets: Depends on how you count Wheeler. DeGrom. I was thinking Wheeler finished his time in the Giants system, but he didn't. That qualifies, as does deGrom.
Yankees: Depends on how you count Tanaka I wouldn't count Tanaka in this, both because he wasn't a true ace, and because he was an international signing as a finished product
Padres:
Rangers: C.J. Wilson (not counting Darvish) I wouldn't call CJ Wilson an ace.
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Blanket statement: If they were traded and came up through another team's system, they don't count.
So of the 17 teams I identified as joining KC in the "No ace drafted and developed since 2002" club, I'd walk it back on the White Sox (Sale), Mets (Wheeler, deGrom), and Phillies (Hamels). There are a few guys who are questionable (Red Sox, Astros), but there's also the question of if we're counting from Greinke forward or not (which would drop the Red Sox and Phils back out for me).
And if you're holding it up to Greinke as a comparison, who should be a slam-dunk HoF player, I don't think there are many on that list who stack up to him.
Point being: If 1/2 the teams in a league aren't doing something, I don't think you can really critique the Royals for not doing it.
There's plenty of ammo elsewhere, though.