Quote:
Originally Posted by duncan_idaho
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.
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The bigger question would be what teams drafted and developed starting pitchers that had an impact on the roster for 5+ years above average starters (majority of arbitration years), which I think is more telling than drafting and developing a generational pitcher.
Using the Cardinals as reference, the only two guys they’ve had on the roster who fit that criteria since 2010 are Lynn and Flaherty.