Kansas City Royals: Starting rotation candidates for 2018 season

STARTING ROTATION CANDIDATES – JAKOB JUNIS

Not many people are talking about Jakob Junis this offseason and I’m unsure as to why. He was without a doubt the most electric pitcher to watch out of the rotation as the season neared the end.

Junis first appeared in a game in April as a relief pitcher, but would go on to start 16 games total and appear in four as a reliever. He’d end the year with a 9-3 record, 4.30 ERA, 1.281 WHIP, 80 strikeouts, and 25 walks in 98.1 innings thrown.

It was Junis’ rookie season in the big leagues and the kid pulled through. At 25 years old, the Royals could have something special on their hands with Junis, but we’ll have to hold our horses on that and see how he performs in year two.

More than likely, Junis will be a backend option for the rotation and I wouldn’t even be shocked if he at some point landed in the bullpen depending on performance. While Junis’ rookie season should definitely excite Royals fans, he’s not a two or three guy just yet.