Bannister looking to build on rookie success

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“Then he started lowering the ball, and he got better at it.”

Bannister was 11-4 with a 2.88 ERA in 16 starts from June 1 through Aug. 31 and was picked as the American League rookie of the month in June and August.

A September fade, he contends, resulted from two factors: fatigue and inexperience.

Bannister had already thrown 160 innings, counting his time at Omaha, prior to September. By comparison, he worked only 80 1/3 the previous year while pitching for the Mets and their affiliates.

McClure said that, including winter ball, Bannister threw more than 220 innings in a 12-month period before the Royals shut him down with about a week left in the season. Bannister had never pitched more than 154 2/3 innings in any of his previous four pro seasons.

“That’s a pretty heavy workload for a rookie,” McClure said. “Toward the end, I could tell that he was tired just from watching him in his bullpen (workouts).”

Bannister also admits the possibility of winning the AL Rookie of the Year award caused him to change his approach.

“I got to a point where I hadn’t been before,” he said, “and I tried to reach back and it wasn’t there. It was a learning experience for me.”

No reason for doubts, though, no matter how the numbers crunch out.

“There’s always going to be criticism,” Bannister said, “because I’m definitely a statistical anomaly. I’m becoming immune to it, but it’s always going to be there because of the arsenal that I have.

“I know I can have success. I don’t claim to be an ace or anything. I’m the guy who gives my team innings and gives us a chance to get to the postseason. I save the bullpen. I pitch ahead. I keep my team active.

“I know exactly what I am. I think I’m very good at that.”

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To reach Bob Dutton, Royals reporter for The Star, call 816-234-4352 or send e-mail to bdutton@kcstar.com