i don't think ventura is going to be high quality number 1. nothing to do with his mental capacities or temperament. i think people just overrate how difficult he is to hit. his effective velocity is less than his measured velocity (2-3 mph, iirc, because he is short and doesn't extend as much prior to release as most pitchers). velocity aside, his fastball doesn't appear to be very difficult for hitters to track and contact. his other pitches are fine, but not superb. i think he's more a nice solid 3 or maybe a 2, unless he remakes his delivery or improves an offspeed pitch or develops better fb command or something. i also think he does not have great endurance. i don't know if that is something that typically develops with age in pitchers or not, but i think it's hard to call a guy a good 1 when his effectiveness pretty dramatically tails off in later innings.
i'm still very happy to have him.
not super worried about dick duffy. like ventura, i think royals fans think he's some delicate flower mentally, whereas his difficulties, imo have probably been physical. they say he's been throwing great since he started the simulated games and whatnot and i believe them.
