Kansas City Royals Top 15 Prospects After 2015 Season

Mandatory Credit: Reid Compton-USA TODAY Sports

11. Foster Griffin

The South Atlantic League is a bit of a hitter’s paradise. As such, it can be a bit difficult to judge pitchers in that league, especially given that the league ERA came in at 3.81 this year. Kansas City Royals minor leaguers struggled overall, as the Lexington Legends finished the year with a 4.76 team ERA.

So, with that lens, Foster Griffin’s 2015 campaign seems a bit more understandable. However, that does not change the fact that his time with the Legends was disappointing. In his 22 outings, spanning 102.2 innings of work, Griffin posted a 5.20 ERA and a 1.539 WHiP, striking out 71 batters against 35 walks. Yet, there were signs of hope for Griffin towards the end of the season. In his final eight starts, Griffin posted a 3.22 ERA and a 1.321 WHiP, striking out 27 batters against 11 walks in 44.2 innings.

At 20 years old, Griffin still has quite a way to develop. While scouts have raved about his fastball and change, his curve is still considered to be a work in progress. Should Griffin be able to get his curve to the point where it is a truly complimentary pitch, he could be quite the arm for the Royals in the future.

Foster Griffin’s future may well hinge on how his curve develops. Griffin is considered to have a feel for pitching, but the development of a third offering may determine if he will remain a starter in the Kansas City Royals system.

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