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

STARTING ROTATION CANDIDATES – TREVOR OAKS

The Royals acquired Trevor Oaks when they sent Scott Alexander to Los Angeles prior to the 2018 season. Oaks will be 26 by the time Opening Day rolls around and the Royals tried to give him opportunities last year to take his lumps in the big leagues.

It didn’t go well for Oaks.

In 13.2 innings of work, Oaks finished the season with an ERA of 7.24 and a WHIP of 1.976. He appeared in four games, starting two of them. In those two starts, he managed to go at least four innings, but surrendered five runs in one appearance and three in the other.

Oaks is still learning, so he won’t make the rotation right out of Spring Training, but don’t be surprised to see him get a few starts throughout the course of the 2019 season. The Royals dealt Alexander and got Oaks in return, so they’re going to make sure he gets plenty of chances to prove he can be effective.