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KC Royals: What Role Will Chris Young Fill In 2016

By Leigh Oleszczak

Jun 9, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Chris Young (32) walks back to the dugout in the sixth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. the Kansas City Royals beat the Minnesota Twins 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 9, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Chris Young (32) walks back to the dugout in the sixth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. the Kansas City Royals beat the Minnesota Twins 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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The KC Royals won the World Series in 2015, and while it was an all hands on deck championship run, the team did have some guys who stepped up immensely in the postseason. One such guy was Chris Young.

Chris Young signed with the Kansas City Royals after the 2014 season and it was definitely an underrated signing in the league. Young was coming off a great season with the Seattle Mariners, posting a 3.65 ERA after 29 starts (3o games total) and 165 innings pitched.

The original plan with Young was to stick him in the bullpen as a long reliever. This only lasted about a month, as Yordano Ventura and Danny Duffy both struggled early on in the season, giving Young an opportunity to prove himself once more as a reliable starter.

Young was a solid starter in the Royals’ rotation until about the end of July, when it was obvious that he was beginning to wear down. He was then given nearly two weeks of rest before pitching again, this time out of the bullpen where he remained until the end of September.

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Young started two more games for the Royals at the end of September and beginning of October and went a total of 11.1 innings and only allowing one run in those two starts.

What most KC Royals fans will remember about Chris Young this past season was his dominant performances during the World Series against the New York Mets (whom he pitched for in 2011 and 2012).

Young pitched three innings as a reliever in Game 1 of the World Series and kept the Royals in it. The Royals went on to win that one in the 14th inning, thanks to Young’s heroics. He then started Game 4 of the World Series and allowed two hits in four innings of work.

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Chris Young filled a solid role for Kansas City during their run to the World Series and that was that he could serve time in the bullpen as a reliever, but was also a high quality starter. The Royals were able to utilize Young well, having him pitch from both places. Ultimately it paid off during the postseason, as the Royals took home the ultimate prize.

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Kansas City fans were thrilled when the Royals decided to re-sign Young to a two-year deal this off season and now the KC Royals should try and use him in the same role as they did in 2015.

The guy is a terrific starter, but the big thing to remember is that Young can’t give the Royals many innings per start, which eventually wears on the bullpen. Young is the definition of a long reliever, as he can go three or four innings and can keep the team in the game.

Of course, a lot of what Young’s role will be next season depends on who else the team acquires for the rotation. Right now, there’s Ventura, Duffy, Edinson Volquez, possibly Kris Medlen, and then some other slight possibilities in the minors like Miguel Almonte or Kyle Zimmer.

Next: Top 10 Moments During 2015 Postseason

Will Chris Young be better as a starter, reliever, or serving time as both?

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