"A year ago, the Royals shifted right-hander Aaron Crow to the bullpen, after a disappointing season in the minors, as an acclimation step to the big leagues — and it paid off big.

Crow put together a dominant first half that turned him into an All-Star.

Don't look for the Royals to take the same approach next season with left-hander Mike Montgomery, a top prospect who was 5-11 with a 5.32 ERA last season at Class AAA Omaha, even though they continue to seek an impact lefty for their bullpen.

"Mike Montgomery is still just 22," general manager Dayton Moore said, "and, if you believe he's going to be an impact starter, it makes no sense, at that age, to move him to the bullpen."