The biggest problem with Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura is that he exists in a game of failure, and nine years into a professional career, still cannot handle his sport’s inevitable swings like an adult.
Ventura turned 25 years old last week, and he should be past these things. The Royals thought he was past these things. For whatever it’s worth, I did too. We were all wrong.
Ventura has regressed from his promising rookie season of 2014, his growing notoriety in the game clouding his decision-making and discipline. He is a mess, and an organization that has thrived with relentless loyalty is unsure what to do.