Chris

Demaria

Demaria will be sent down so the Brewers can activate Chris Mabeus. Demaria has had a 9.53 ERA over his last four appearances.

Demaria is 25, but he still doesn’t have much experienced against advanced hitting. It’d be for the best if he remains in the minors until September.

Demaria is someone the Royals could have tried before going to Leo Nunez and some other younger arms. The 24-year-old had a 2.23 ERA and 19 saves for Single-A High Desert and then allowed three runs in 15 1/3 IP for Wichita. He doesn’t have a great deal of upside, but he might have some success as a reliever.

He gave up five hits, walked two, and struck out. Demaria departed with the bases loaded and one out in the eighth, but reliever Leo Nunez gave up a bases clearing double to Ben Broussard to make Demaria’s day look even worse. Although he’s struck out an impressive 11 batters in 7 2/3 innings of work, he’s also yielded 13 hits and three homers.

Demaria racked up 20 saves with a 2.13 ERA in two levels of the minors this year. He’ll provide minimal Fantasy value in ’05 though.

It’s the second time this week the Royals have acquired a converted position player. Barnes moved to the mound in 2004 and had a 3.19 ERA in 79 1/3 innings for Single-A West Virginia last season. Demaria won’t make the Brewers out of spring training, but he has options remaining.

Demaria was designated for assignment last week. Of course, Baird also said there was trade interest in Shawn Camp before the right-hander was non-tendered last night.

Demaria was called up by the Royals in September having thrown a total of 15 1/3 innings above A ball and gave up nine earned runs in nine innings. He’s a future middle reliever at best.

The 26-year-old Demaria managed a 2.96 ERA in 51 2/3 innings at Nashville this year, but he didn’t show much while in the majors in April and May. He possesses a nice changeup, but his mediocre fastball appears likely to prevent him from having a career as a middle reliever.

Demaria, who was picked up from the Royals in December, had allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings for Indianapolis. He’s still only thrown about 30 innings above A ball in his career, and even with Mike Maddux guiding him, little should be expected from him as a middle reliever. He’ll be the top candidate to be demoted after Rick Helling is activated.