KC Royals: Eight pitchers to keep an eye on in spring training

Jon Heasley, RHP

Heasley has quietly developed into a good pitching prospect. He features an above-average fastball, curveball, and change-up with an average slider. Heasley’s 12-to-6 curveball is what to watch during spring training.

Heasley’s curveball can be magnificent when he has the feel for the pitch. He has good command of his pitches and was unable to unlock more velocity with his fastball. If he is sitting 95 mph with his fastball he change-up with arm-side fade and potential plus curveball can be nasty. He works well on the right side of the plate, he will need to command his pitches better on the left side.

Heasley is getting better and better the more I see him. There is a good chance he can become a reliable starter in the long-term with the potential to be a No. 4 type starter (4.00 FIP).

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Alec Marsh, RHP

I have been hearing Marsh has turned up his velocity this offseason reaching above 96 mph regularly. He is another Royals pitching prospect with four quality pitches to choose from with his curveball rating as a plus pitch.

Marsh has displayed a strong work ethic and has shown a competitive side to him that makes it a possibility he outperforms his projections. He is an underrated pitching prospect amongst such a talented group of Royals prospects. I expect him to impress in his outings this spring training and flourish during the regular season in the minors.

Jonathan Bowlan, RHP

Bowlan commands a heavy sinker and slider very well but needs to continue to develop his change-up in order to be a starter. Expect him to work on the change-up during spring training. Bowlan with his intimidating size might be a candidate for the bullpen later in the 2021 season with the ability to limit base-runners.

These are likely going to be the guys who will be asked to replace Danny Duffy, Mike Minor, Greg Holland, and Jesse Hahn when their contracts expire. There is a ton of talent and work ethic amongst this group so even with the high attrition rate amongst pitching prospects there is a good chance a higher percentage of them reach their potential.

The Kansas City Royals pitching staff will be in good hands for short-term and long-term outlooks.