Kansas City Royals: 2020 is final chance for Kyle Zimmer to prove himself

It’s boom or bust for Kyle Zimmer in 2020. He needs to show the Kansas City Royals he can contribute long-term for them.

After being the fifth overall pick by the Kansas City Royals in the 2012 MLB Draft, Kyle Zimmer had more downs than ups during his journey to the big leagues.

While Zimmer wasn’t a bad pitcher by any means, injuries are what plagued him in getting to the majors and getting that coveted Major League call-up. He finally got a chance to pitch in front of the Royals faithful at Kauffman Stadium, but his 2019 season did not go well.

Zimmer finished his only Major League season with an ERA over 10 and a WHIP of 2.56. Not good numbers, but it’s not uncommon for someone in their first season as a big leaguer to struggle a bit.

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The hope with Zimmer was that even though injuries held him back, he’d be able to put the pieces together when he got to the big leagues. There’s still time for him to do that, but he’s going to have to show something in the shortened 2020 season for the Royals to merit keeping him around.

Despite the fact that Zimmer was a top five pick for the Royals, he hasn’t been the player the team was hoping he’d be when they drafted him. There was optimism when he was drafted that he’d be able to get to the majors in a few years and be a part of the contending teams, but that didn’t end up happening.

Instead of helping the Royals whether it was in their rotation or dominant bullpen through those two World Series, Zimmer was still working his way through the minor leagues and fighting like hell to stay healthy.

In the shortened Spring Training, Zimmer wasn’t looking great, posting a 7.36 ERA through 3.2 innings pitched. Spring Training isn’t always the most meaningful, but when comparing those numbers with what he did in 2019, Zimmer – who will turn 29 in September – definitely has a lot to prove in 2020.

If he doesn’t step up and show glimpses of why the Royals took him fifth overall, then it’s going to be hard to continue making a case to keep Kyle Zimmer past 2020.

What do you think, Royals fans? Do you think Zimmer can have a good season and continue to be a part of the Royals’ future plans? Or do you think it’s time to move on from the former fifth overall pick?

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