KC Royals: Predicting All-Star Selections — Pitchers

May 22, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view as fans watch fireworks after the game between the Kansas City Royals and the St. Louis Cardinals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Right now there are only two Royals starters that seem to have a shot at being selected, and that is Edinson Volquez and Chris Young. Volquez has been solid, save for two rocky starts earlier this month, and Young has been absolutely lights out, albeit in just four starts.

Let’s take a look at their numbers and how they stack up to the rest of the American League.

Edinson Volquez: 4-3, 2.77 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 39 Ks, 20 BB, 55.1 IP, 6 QS

Chris Young: 4-0, 0.78 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, 23 Ks, 9 BB, 34.2 IP, 2 QS

Those are pretty impressive numbers all around. Maybe most impressive for Volquez is that six of his nine starts have been of the quality version (6-plus IP, 3 or less runs).

Young on the other hand, who started the season in the bullpen and only gave up two runs in six appearances, has been even better as a starter (3-0, 0.40 ERA, four starts).

May 17, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Edinson Volquez (36) delivers a pitch against the New York Yankees during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

When compared to the rest of the American League, Volquez should certainly be considered. He ranks in the top-10 in ERA (ninth) and WHIP (fifth), while his four wins are tied for 11th. If you take out two rough starts in early May, Volquez would still be 4-3, but his ERA would be below two, at 1.91.

Young has had only about half as many starts as his AL counterparts, but has there been anyone better? The veteran journeyman has given up just one run in 22.2 innings pitched. His only knock is in the four starts, he has not gone more than six innings even once.

These two newcomers are most likely on the outside looking in, but they aren’t very far on the outside. If Young stays in the rotation, and is sitting at 7-0 with an ERA under two, how could Yost leave his own guy off the roster?

Volquez on the other hand, can’t afford more than one bad start between now and July if he wants to make plans for an all-star trip to Cincinnati.

Prediction: Young is one of last pitchers in, while Volquez has to hope at least one pitcher throws the Sunday before the All-Star game, and he is named as a replacement.

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