Kansas City Royals: Non-tendered bargain free agent targets for 2020
By Cody Rickman
Targets
Ryan Burr, Reliever (25-years-old)
Ryan Burr was a roster casualty on a much-improved Chicago White Sox roster. Burr provided 19.2 innings of 4.58 ERA, 1.271 WHIP, and 20 Ks relief for the White Sox in 2019. Taken in the 2015 draft in the fifth round out of Arizona State University, Burr climbed the minor league system quickly and put together solid ERA, WHIP, and K/9 numbers.
Burr utilizes a three-pitch mix with an above average 95.0 mph fastball, an above average 83.1 mph slider, and a late breaking hard 87.1 mph cutter. Burr is still young and developing with experience as a late inning reliever in college. His rapid ascent through the minor leagues shouldn’t be dismissed as appears to be a reliever capable of handling late inning duties.
Burr is significantly more potent against right handed hitters and if he develops a pitch to offset lefties at the plate, his development will increase dramatically. Burr could be signed for league minimum and be a excellent relief option for dismal Royals bullpen in 2020.
Danny Hultzen, Reliever (30-years-old)
Danny Hultzen may have been a casualty of the incoming new rule with pitching changes required to face three batters.
Hultzen was once a promising starting pitching prospect before being absolutely ravaged by injuries to his pitching shoulder. He had one of the better comeback stories this year in the MLB, finally making to the majors and pitching well with 17.2 innings of 1.02 ERA, 1.075 WHIP, with 28 Ks between AAA and MLB. Hultzen did struggle a bit with his walk rate, but was able to limit hits during his performances.
Hultzen has relied on his knowledge of pitching to throw quality innings with his fastball with 2-seam movement (93-mph) that he pairs well with an above average slider (80-mph) and plus-plus changeup (82-mph). His plus-plus change-up will make him effective vs. righties and lefties.
While Hultzen is still an injury risk, his knowledge of pitching and his pedigree make him a potential steal as a late inning reliever. The age isn’t ideal for a rebuilding Royals team, but Hultzen could be worth signing for $1 to 2 million as a late inning reliever.