Kansas City Royals: Non-tendered bargain free agent targets for 2020

Targets

Taijuan Walker, Starting Pitcher (27-years-old)

Taijuan Walker missed most of 2018 and 2019 recovering from UCL repair surgery (Tommy John) and made one relief appearance for the Arizona Diamondbacks in September in 2019 before being non-tendered.

Walker a very promising prospect with the Seattle Mariners, had an outstanding 2017 in the high desert pitching 157.1 innings of 3.49 ERA, 1.328 WHIP, and 146 Ks. Walker limited home runs in a home run hitters park improving his numbers drastically from the previous year he spent in Seattle.

Walker throws his plus fastball (late movement) around 93.3 mph, above average slider (cutter velocity with glove side movement) around 89.0 mph, and above average change-up at 88.5 mph. Walker mixed in an average 76 mph curveball (can look dominate at times) when he was starting and I look to see him pick the pitch back up when he begins starting again.

With renewed health and at least four average to above average pitches Walker could be an excellent buy-low candidate. His price range should fall somewhere between $6-8 million per year and he’s nearly 100% healthy. Walker would be the best starter on the Royals as the roster current stands in my opinion.

Jimmy Nelson, Starting Pitcher (30-years-old)

Jimmy Nelson missed all of 2018 recovering from UCL repair surgery (Tommy John) and pitched 22.0 innings of 6.95 ERA, 1.909 WHIP, and 26 Ks in 2019 for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Nelson had a very impactful 2017 season and looked to be on his way to stardom until the injury occurred. Nelson’s 2017 was stellar with 175.1 innings of 3.49 ERA, 1.249 WHIP, and 199 Ks finishing 9th in the NL Cy Young Award voting.

Nelson utilizes an above average four pitch mix of his 93 – 95 mph fastball, 84 mph curveball, 88 mph slider, and a “show me” 87 mph changeup. Nelson’s best pitch is his hard curveball, which has excellent depth and deception. The increased usage the curveball and rotation of pitch selection between high fastball and low curveball are the reasons to Nelson’s success in 2017.

Nelson’s return from injury in 2019 wasn’t met with success, but he’s still in his prime and a return to full health may lead to few more successful years on the mound as a starter. Nelson was able to generate decent groundball numbers and K/9 with his stuff in a hitter’s park.

The more spacious Kauffman Stadium should help him get back on track. Nelson’s price range should be around $4 – 6 million per year.