Kansas City Royals: Five prospects who can help team in 2020
By Cody Rickman
Daniel Lynch – LHP Starting Pitcher
(6’6”, 23-years-old (in November), drafted in 2018 out of the University of Virginia)
- 2019 Stats (3 levels – Rookie Arizona, Rookie Burlington, and A+ Wilmington)
- 2.99 ERA, 1.287 WHIP, 96 Ks, 29 BBs, 5 HRs allowed in 96.1 Innings
Daniel Lynch missed a portion of the season due to injury and will seek to make up the lost time in the Arizona Fall League scheduled to start league play on September 18th. Lynch mixes his arsenal of pitches well (above average 94 mph fastball, above average slider, average curveball, and above average change-up) with an easy and deceptive delivery.
Watching video of Lynch shows he has simplified mechanics for a pitcher with his 6’6” frame which allows him to be repeatable and have above average command his pitches.
Expectations – Depending on his performance in the Arizona Fall League versus some of the best prospect talent across the league, Lynch could start 2020 at AA Northwest Arkansas. Since the AAA level moved to using the MLB baseball, pitchers at the level has seen a dramatic increase in HRs hit.
The Royals may not require much of look against AAA hitters (maybe five to ten starts). If everything goes right for Lynch in 2020, the Royals could make a 40-man roster move and start the MLB development clock on Lynch in September in the hopes he will progress toward his ceiling of being a #2/3 type starting pitcher for the 2021 season and beyond.