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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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Sep 16, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Ian Kennedy (22) pitches during the fifth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 16, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Ian Kennedy (22) pitches during the fifth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

Third Starter: Ian Kennedy

Ian Kennedy hasn’t even put on a Royals’ uniform yet and he’s already got the third spot in the rotation locked up if I’m right. Kennedy has a big transition to make from the NL to the AL, but if there’s anyone who can help him it’s pitching coach extraordinaire, Dave Eiland.

Kennedy already has familiarity with Dave Eiland as they worked together when Kennedy was a rookie with the Yankees. The fact that they don’t have to get to know each other should help them jump right into making any mechanical adjustments with which Eiland may see flaws.

Kennedy has a big transition to make from the NL to the AL, but if there’s anyone who can help him it’s pitching coach extraordinaire, Dave Eiland.

Kennedy has some upside as he pitched to a 2.88 ERA in 2011 but he hasn’t really come close to that mark in recent campaigns. What is encouraging are his stats in the second half of 2015.

Kennedy gave up 31 home runs in 2015 which is a scary number considering he only made 30 starts. He also posted an ERA of 4.28 but he did average 9.3 Ks/9 across the 164.1 innings he pitched. Kennedy had a much better second half of the season giving up nearly half the home runs (11) than he did in the first half (20). He also posted a 3.68 ERA but struck out 98 batters across just 84 innings.

The Royals are likely banking on Kennedy to be the second half of 2015 Kennedy as opposed to the untouchable 2011 version, or worse, the first half of 2015 version. Hopefully a bigger ballpark will play nicely to Kennedy’s fly ball tendencies, and one of the best defensive teams in the league backing you never hurts either.

The other thing Kennedy brings to the table is durability. Three times in his career Kennedy has topped the 200 innings marker, and that’s something the Royals could desperately use. Everyone knows the bullpen is a weapon, but the more innings the starting rotation can eat up, the better.

If Kennedy can touch 200 innings this season and pitch like he did in the second half of 2015, he’ll make a fine third starter for the Royals. The only question at this point is which Ian Kennedy will show up?

Next: Steady Eddy

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