Kansas City Royals: 2020 bullpen prediction pre-Spring Training
By Cody Rickman
Potential Releases/Waivered
- Greg Holland RHP
At 34-years-old, Holland is coming off a 2019 season that saw his effectiveness and velocity wain in the later part of the season. Holland is in a difficult position to prove to the Royals this Spring Training that he still has some gas left in the tank.
- Braden Shipley RHP
Shipley will be entering his age 28 season with the Royals this spring. A former starting pitching prospect, he has a lot to prove during spring training as a non-roster invite. Shipley has a minor league option remaining and if he doesn’t make the roster out of spring training, he is a likely candidate to remain in the Royals system.
- Randy Rosario LHP
Rosario is out of options and will have to out-perform Richard Lovelady for a spot in the bullpen. Rosario was used as a lefty specialist in 2019 and with the potential new rule change requiring pitching changes to face multiple batters, Rosario will be under a lot of pressure to show he is capable of getting right-handed hitters out in spring training. Rosario is waiver candidate to remain with the Royals organization.
- Kyle Zimmer RHP
Zimmer possesses big league stuff, but injuries have derailed his career time and time again. He wasn’t able to throw strikes and the pitches he did throw into the strike zone during the 2019 season were hit hard. Zimmer is out of minor league options and at 28 years old, he may be out of time with the Royals. Zimmer has the most to prove this spring training to retain his position on the 40-man roster.
- Stephen Woods Jr RHP
Woods Jr is a 2019 rule 5 draft pick and will need to remain on the roster all season long. He hasn’t pitched above A+ ball in the Rays farm system, but possesses a quality fastball and curveball. His arm-slot delivery gives him an excellent spin axis point making it difficult for batters to distinguish what pitch is heading toward the plate.
Woods Jr will need to show he can maintain his velocity and command his pitches during spring training to remain on the roster. He has the potential to do both and could surprise everyone by winning the fifth starter role or long reliever role out of camp.