Kansas City's five starters combine for 23 career victories.

The Associated Press

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Barry Zito won 23 games last year for the Oakland Athletics en route to winning the Cy Young Award.

The Kansas City Royals' 2003 rotation -- Runelvys Hernandez, Jeremy Affeldt, Miguel Asencio, Chris George and Darrell May -- have 23 career victories.

May, who is 30, is the only one of the five who is older than 24. May has two years and 11 days experience in the majors, while the other four have spent one year or less in the big leagues.

While Paul Byrd, who signed as a free agent in December with Atlanta, won 17 games for the Royals last year, the Royals' starting quintet this year totaled 15 victories in 2002.

Affeldt and George, the No. 2 and No. 4 starters, went a combined 0-8 in 13 starts last year.

Manager Tony Pena is not disturbed by the Royals' neophyte rotation.

"It's not a concern at all," Pena said Monday. "To me, it's nothing new. We had these guys last year. It's not their first time they are going to pitch in the majors. They're young, but they already have some experience."

Scant experience, however. May, who pitched in Japan from 1998-2001, has 25 career big-league starts, while none of the other four has more than 21 starts.

Youth is no excuse

Catcher Brent Mayne said youth should not be used as an excuse for not winning.

"It can be done," Mayne said.

The Royals won their division in 1984 with two rookie starters, Bret Saberhagen and Mark Gubicza, and Danny Jackson, who made his debut the previous year.

"It didn't hit me by surprise," Mayne said of the Royals going with a young staff. "I'm happy with it. I hope they all do really well. I hope I can help them.

"I think they are capable of winning. I like their stuff and mental outlet. I've got nothing but positive thoughts for them."

Royals pitching coach John Cumberland turns 56 in May, but is energized by the youthful arms.

"I feel like I'm 25 years old again," Cumberland said. "Last year was a lot of evaluating, looking at arms. This year we've got all these guys coming back.

"It's a challenge for me to get the maximum of their ability, each and every one of them. It's their choice because no one is going to work any harder than John Cumberland to get the max out of their ability. It's their choice on how bad they want it."

General manager Allard Baird said the young staff is not just happy to be in the big leagues, "but they want to win now."