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KC Royals: Projecting the Starting Rotation for 2016

By Scott Dillon

Feb 23, 2015; Surprise, AZ, USA; Kansas City Royals pitchers throw during a workout at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2015; Surprise, AZ, USA; Kansas City Royals pitchers throw during a workout at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 19, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Kris Medlen (39) throws against the Toronto Blue Jays during the third inning in game three of the ALCS at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Kris Medlen (39) throws against the Toronto Blue Jays during the third inning in game three of the ALCS at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Fourth Starter: Kris Medlen

Kris Medlen is coming off his second TJ surgery, but pitched well for the Royals last season. He only posted a 4.01 ERA and while that’s not great, he did show some signs of his former self.

While he got into walk trouble at the end of the year, handing out 11 free passes in just over 32 innings, he did post very solid numbers in August with 3 wins across 19 innings with a sub 3 ERA. He also struck out 18 batters in those innings compared to only three walks.

While 19 innings is not a very big sample size, he was still trying to find his mechanics and feel for pitching again. He’s now going to be coming off a full off-season of recovery and get’s to enjoy a full spring training. Both of these factors should give him a very good shot at returning to his former self.

The Royals don’t need the 3.11 ERA that Medlen posted in 2013 out of their fourth starter.

Even if Medlen can’t become as good as he used to be, he doesn’t need to. The Royals don’t need the 3.11 ERA that Medlen posted in 2013 out of their fourth starter. In fact, they just need him to stay south of 4.00. If Kris Medlen can post an era under 4 out of the fourth spot, the Royals may be in better shape than they were in 2015.

Medlen will have his work cut out for him as he tries to extend himself his off-season so he can pitch deeper into games, but working with the Royals’ training staff should have him ready to go. If Kris Medlen can come anywhere close to his former greatness and winds up being the Royals fourth starter, the Royals have an excellent shot at returning to the post-season for a third straight year.

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