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Kansas City Royals: Pitchers who could make starting rotation in 2019

By Leigh Oleszczak

Kansas City Royals pitcher Glenn Sparkman walks back to the dugout from the bullpen (John Sleezer/Kansas City Star/TNS via Getty Images)
Kansas City Royals pitcher Glenn Sparkman walks back to the dugout from the bullpen (John Sleezer/Kansas City Star/TNS via Getty Images) /
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Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Ian Kennedy (31) (Photo by William Purnell/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Ian Kennedy (31) (Photo by William Purnell/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

STARTING ROTATION CANDIDATES – IAN KENNEDY

The Royals made the decision to bring Ian Kennedy in a few years ago on a big time contract and now here he is… Underperforming, but a lock to make the rotation due to that mega-deal.

Kennedy has not delivered what Royals fans thought he’d bring when signing the deal. This was a guy with the “innings eater” reputation that I just slapped Junis with, but has failed to live up to that hype.

More. Ian Kennedy as Reliever Not Crazy Idea. light

In his three seasons in Kansas City, Kennedy has yet to hit 200 innings thrown. He came close in 2016 with 195.2, but that was his highest by far. Last year he threw in just 119.2 and MLB.com Royals beat reporter Jeffrey Flanagan said he wouldn’t be shocked if the Royals at some point moved Kennedy to the bullpen.

For now, Ian Kennedy will be a starter because of that ugly contract. Hopefully he does better than the 4.66 ERA he posted last year.

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