When is it too early

[Eric the Red]

Mailbag: When is it too early?

 

I know the Royals believe it would be bad to bring up Alex Gordon and Billy Butler early, but why? I think the earlier they see big league pitching the better.

-- Brandt R., Richmond, Mo.

 

 

Obviously, there's the natural progression of learning how to handle pro pitchers from level to level. As a high school draftee, Butler started at a lower rung than college product Gordon. There's no real advantage to boosting them into the Major Leagues prematurely, where they're likely to be eaten up by more polished pitchers and have their confidence eroded. They should be at a point where they can help the Royals win games, not lose while they learn. A major consideration, too, is that once they start accumulating service time in the Majors, the more quickly they come to arbitration and eventually free agency.