Kansas City Royals: Nine prospects who could make debuts in 2020

Kansas City Royals who could make debuts – Number 4: Daniel Tillo

Unlike Singer, Kowar, Lynch, and Bubic who the Royals will hope to use as starters, if Daniel Tillo gets to the big leagues, it’d be as a reliever for sure. Tillo was a third round pick in 2017 out of Iowa Western Community College and put up nice numbers in Wilmington last year (107.1 innings with a 3.77 ERA).

The Royals have a decent idea of who will be in their bullpen (obviously names like Ian Kennedy, Richard Lovelady, Kevin McCarthy, Josh Staumont will make it), but injuries happen. There could also be a good chance that the bullpen performs as poorly as it did in 2018 and 2019 and that could force the Royals’ hand with Tillo’s call-up.

Kansas City Royals who could make debuts – Number 3: Tyler Zuber

Tyler Zuber would also be used as a relief pitcher and is going to be in the same situation as Tillo. He won’t start the season off in the bullpen, but if injuries occur or the bullpen is struggling, that could be when the 2017 sixth round pick makes his debut.

Zuber spent his college career at Arkansas State and had 21 total saves between two different minor league teams in 2019. He had a 1.23 ERA in 29.1 innings of work with Wilmington and also did well when promoted to Northwest Arkansas, posting a 2.42 ERA in 26 innings. He’s getting close to being major league ready and hopefully he’ll get a chance to pitch out of the pen this year.