Kansas City Royals: Power Rankings Volume 1 for 2019 season

2. Kevin McCarthy, Relief Pitcher

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More like “relief” pitcher, am I right? (Sorry.)

McCarthy’s struggles in Kansas City before getting demoted are perhaps the most surprising of this group. Last year, in 72 innings pitched, he was a solid reliever, going 5-4 in 65 appearances with a 3.25 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and a respectable 4.06 FIP. But that FIP jumped to 10.78 in 3.2 innings pitched over six appearances in 2019 as McCarthy failed to strike out a soul while walking four, allowing one home run, and eight earned runs. He was 0-1 with a 19.64 ERA before heading to Omaha.

1. Brad Boxberger, Relief Pitcher/Closer

Last year, Boxberger collected 32 saves for the Arizona Diamondbacks, but that came with a 4.55 FIP. Arizona let him walk, and he went unsigned until the Royals picked him up in February. But his struggled have followed him from the desert to the City of Fountains. For the Royals, Boxberger’s ERA is a porous 9.72, his FIP is 6.86, and his WHIP is a hair under two.

Ned Yost must keep this bullpen fluid and not get set with certain pitchers in certain roles. That includes the closer role. Boxberger isn’t the answer, but since he’s owed $2.2 million this season, don’t expect him to be cut loose. Yet, Yost shouldn’t feel the need to ride with him, either.

And thus concludes this season’s first edition of the Kansas City Royals Power Rankings!

I’ll be back with you after another 16 games when hopefully it will be much harder for me to find players to stick in the bottom five because this team is playing so well.