Chris George

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Kansas City Royals #1 prospect in 2001
  It has become a cliché to compare lefthanded pitching prospects without overwhelming velocity to Tom Glavine, but George just might be the real deal. He has been following the same career path as the two-time Cy Young Award winner: debut in Rookie ball, solid first full season in Class A, second season split between succeeding in Double-A and struggling for the first time after reaching Triple-A. Glavine went back to Triple-A the next year before surfacing in the majors, and George probably will do the same. He might already have gotten a look in Kansas City had he not spent September with the gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic team as the second-youngest pitcher on the staff. George was the third of three pitchers selected by the Royals in the first 31 picks of the 1998 draft, and his ceiling appears significantly higher than college righthanders Jeff Austin and Matt Burch, who were taken before him. George throws in the low 90s and hit 96 mph in about a third of his starts in 2000. His changeup is his best pitch, and he already has an advanced feel for changing speeds. George has been equally successful against lefthanders and righthanders. He has a sound pitcher's frame (a near carbon copy of Glavine's), a smooth delivery and generally throws strikes. He's tough to run on, as just 42 percent of basestealers succeeded against him in 2000. Before 2000, George's fastball had maxed out at 94 mph. When he picked up a little more velocity, he at times fell into a power pitcher's mentality, which wreaked havoc with his command. He was more effective when he didn't try to blow the ball by hitters. If he has learned that lesson, his only need is an improved breaking ball. He throws both a slider and a curveball, with the slider the more effective pitch. Kansas City hasn't had a lefthander win more than 10 games in a season since 1988. That drought should end soon, with George and youngsters Jimmy Gobble and Mike Stodolka on the way. The Royals need starters and don't have another lefty candidate besides George. Making the club out of spring training isn't a certainty, though he shouldn't need more than another half-season in Triple-A.
• 
  Ranked Kansas City Royals #9 prospect in 1999
  Background: The 31st overall selection in the 1998 draft, George was the Royals' compensation for losing free agent Jay Bell to the Diamondbacks last winter. The Texas high schooler overmatched hitters in the Gulf Coast League and instructional league, allowing runs in only one GCL outing and being unscored on in instructional league. Strengths: George's stuff, physique and delivery are similar to Tom Glavine's. He pitches in the high 80s but can pop 91 inside when he needs it. His best pitch is a deceptive straight changeup, and he also can throw both an average slider and average curveball. A smooth, balanced delivery gives George good command. Weaknesses: Pitchers with average fastballs are usually not considered high draft choices and many scouting directors were shocked that George was selected that high. Neither of George's breaking balls shows the potential to be a plus pitch in the future, either. The Future: The Royals were thrilled by George's debut and may give him the opportunity to start 1999 at Wilmington, skipping two levels. He already has an advanced understanding of how to change speeds, mix his pitches and work inside.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Pacific Coast League #6 prospect in 2001
  George continues to be a pitcher who looks better in retrospect than when he's out there facing your team on the mound. He wasn't overpowering in the PCL but ended up among the league leaders in wins and ERA. He also made his major league debut and showed enough that he should be able to stick there. George has above-average velocity for a lefthander, but his changeup remains his best pitch. He had more success with his slider this year than his breaking pitch, and he's most effective when he pitches down in the strike zone. "He's the type of kid who can learn from his mistakes and improve," Omaha manager John Mizerock said. "Everybody has seen his improvement from start to start."
• 
  Ranked Pacific Coast League #5 prospect in 2000
  The Royals have a wealth of pitching prospects in their system, and showcased three of them at Omaha this season. The consensus among the managers was that George has a brighter future than righthanders Jeff Austin and Chad Durbin. George wasn’t fazed by pitching in Triple-A at age 20, turning in six solid starts in eight outings before joining Team USA for the Olympics. George has a lot going for him. He averages 90-91 mph on his fastball and can touch 94, and the movement he gets may be more impressive than his velocity. He has an advanced changeup and he has made progress with a breaking pitch. For now, his slider is better than his curve. George also knows what he’s doing on the mound, moving the ball around and exhibiting poise.
• 
  Ranked Texas League #5 prospect in 2000
  George joined Oswalt on the Olympic pitching staff, working out of the bullpen. His future in the major leagues is as a starter, and he should be ready for Kansas City by midseason 2001--at the latest. He ranked as the No. 5 prospect not only in the TL, but also in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. His fastball ranges from 90-94 mph with good life, and his changeup is a top-notch pitch. George needs to throw more strikes with his breaking pitches, though part of the problem is that it seems they fool umpires as much as batters. "George already knows how to pitch and he's got plus stuff," one scout said. Said another: "Every organization dreams of having a young pitcher like George."

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #25 prospect in 2001
• Ranked Baseball America's #40 prospect in 2000

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  George joined Oswalt on the Olympic pitching staff, working out of the bullpen. His future in the major leagues is as a starter, and he should be ready for Kansas City by midseason 2001--at the latest. He ranked as the No. 5 prospect not only in the TL, but also in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. His fastball ranges from 90-94 mph with good life, and his changeup is a top-notch pitch. George needs to throw more strikes with his breaking pitches, though part of the problem is that it seems they fool umpires as much as batters. "George already knows how to pitch and he's got plus stuff," one scout said. Said another: "Every organization dreams of having a young pitcher like George."
• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  The Royals have a wealth of pitching prospects in their system, and showcased three of them at Omaha this season. The consensus among the managers was that George has a brighter future than righthanders Jeff Austin and Chad Durbin. George wasn’t fazed by pitching in Triple-A at age 20, turning in six solid starts in eight outings before joining Team USA for the Olympics. George has a lot going for him. He averages 90-91 mph on his fastball and can touch 94, and the movement he gets may be more impressive than his velocity. He has an advanced changeup and he has made progress with a breaking pitch. For now, his slider is better than his curve. George also knows what he’s doing on the mound, moving the ball around and exhibiting poise.