Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45
Kennesaw State's baseball program has produced many professional players over the years, including a pair of first rounders in Max Pentecost and Chad Jenkins, who is the last Owl to make the big leagues. Lovelady, taken in the 10th round in the 2016 Draft, looks certain to join Jenkins as a pitcher to go from the Georgia school to the Major Leagues.
Lovelady has pitched his way to the top of the Royals' system largely on the nastiness of his fastball-slider combination. He gets a lot of swings and misses on his fastball, that touches 97 mph, largely because of his funky delivery coming from a lower three-quarters arm slot that jumps at the hitter. His mid-80s slider has improved and also misses bats. His control has improved and he's generally around the plate, but he even gets away with it when he doesn't have great command. It remains to be seen if he can keep getting away with it in the big leagues.
What could be a game-changer for the lefty is the development of his changeup. He's committed to focusing on it in side sessions with an eye towards incorporating it more in games. Sometimes it looks like a cutter, sometimes it goes the other way. Having that weapon against lefties could allow him to pitch late in games in Kansas City soon. Statcast - Pitching Season Pitches Batted Balls Barrels Barrel % Exit Velocity Launch Angle XBA XSLG WOBA XWOBA XWOBACON Hard Hit % K % BB % 2019 375 70 1 1.4 86.9 8.1 .249 .346 .393 .295 .327 32.9 17.7 8.3 ALL 375 70 1 1.4 86.9 8.1 .249 .346 .393 .295 .327 32.9 17.7 8.3 MLB 40553 6.3 87.5 11.2 .251 .412 .317 .318 .371 34.5 21.7 8.3 Transactions Team Date Transaction 09/30/2019 Kansas City Royals recalled LHP Richard Lovelady from Omaha Storm Chasers. 08/23/2019 Kansas City Royals optioned LHP Richard Lovelady to Omaha Storm Chasers. 07/26/2019 Kansas City Royals recalled Richard Lovelady from Omaha Storm Chasers. 05/26/2019 Kansas City Royals optioned LHP Richard Lovelady to Omaha Storm Chasers. 05/25/2019 Kansas City Royals recalled Richard Lovelady from Omaha Storm Chasers. 05/24/2019 Kansas City Royals optioned LHP Richard Lovelady to Omaha Storm Chasers. 04/09/2019 Kansas City Royals selected the contract of Richard Lovelady from Omaha Storm Chasers. 01/08/2019 Kansas City Royals invited non-roster LHP Richard Lovelady to spring training. 04/02/2018 LHP Richard Lovelady assigned to Omaha Storm Chasers from Northwest Arkansas Naturals. 01/05/2018 Kansas City Royals invited non-roster LHP Richard Lovelady to spring training. 06/26/2017 LHP Richard Lovelady assigned to Northwest Arkansas Naturals from Wilmington Blue Rocks. 04/05/2017 LHP Richard Lovelady assigned to Wilmington Blue Rocks from Idaho Falls Chukars. 07/28/2016 LHP Richard Lovelady assigned to Idaho Falls Chukars from AZL Royals. 06/21/2016 LHP Richard Lovelady assigned to AZL Royals. 06/20/2016 Kansas City Royals signed LHP Richard Lovelady.
