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Scouting Report

2000 Season
Although Chris Fussell collected the first victories of his big league career in 2000, it was not a successful season. An injury to Jose Rosado forced Fussell into the starting rotation, where he had a few good starts but otherwise was hit hard. Sandwiched around his rotation duty and two trips to Triple-A were ineffective appearances in relief. He was scored upon in eight of 11 bullpen outings.


Pitching & Defense
Fussell has decent stuff, featuring a good low-90s fastball, curveball, slider and changeup. He runs into problems by trying to be too fine around the edges of the strike zone. He gets behind many hitters, then grooves a fastball and gets hammered. Because he won't go right after hitters, Fussell often runs up high pitch counts. Developing a slide step has helped him reduce baserunners' leads, although his pickoff move is still below average. A career .857 fielding average is indicative of Fussell's shaky fielding skills.


2001 Outlook
He needs more confidence to challenge hitters, and for the time being, Fussell remains a fringe major leaguer who will be used for spot starting duty or as a fifth starter. Making the Royals' staff in 2001 is not a given.


Scouting Report Source: STATS, Inc. Copyright 2000 STATS, Inc.
Commercial distribution without the express written consent of STATS is prohibited.

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