Kansas City Royals: Top Ten Players To Watch In 2017
By Ben Almquist
Kansas City Royals Top Players To Watch: #4
Ian Kennedy – SP
As much pressure as there will be on Danny Duffy this year, Kansas City Royals pitcher Ian Kennedy is going to feel even more. Kennedy did not live up to the expectations of his contract last year. With the unfortunate loss of Yordano Ventura this offseason, there will be even more pressure on Kennedy to perform. The Royals need him to be a steady winner this year.
I have seen some people saying that the Royals got more than was expected of Ian Kennedy last year. That may be true if you had lowered expectations. However, he did not live up to what he was paid to be. That is the issue. If Kennedy can live up to his actual contract in 2017, and Duffy can improve upon what Edinson Volquez gave us, then the Royals should be in good position come September.
Ian Kennedy is a toss up for me. I don’t know that I believe he can do much better than he did last year. That doesn’t mean he’s terrible…but he certainly hasn’t been worth what was paid for him. At best, I see him in the role he currently occupies as a mid-rotation starter. However, even that could be pushing it as we move forward.