KC Royals: Five huge IFs for deep postseason push in 2021

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Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Josh Staumont (63) – Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

KC Royals can make deep postseason run if…

Two or three young arms emerge in bullpen

The Royals bullpen surprised last season and ended the year as one of the best in the league, finishing with the eighth-best ERA. This was thanks to the likes of Trevor Rosenthal, Greg Holland, Josh Staumont, Kyle Zimmer, Scott Barlow, and Jesse Hahn.

Fortunately, all of those guys are returning except for Rosenthal. While those relievers are going to be key during the course of this season, it’s the young guys that fans need to see step up in 2021.

Staumont had an incredible 2020 season and Barlow showed promise. These two performing as they did a year ago would put the Royals in a great position moving forward. Jakob Junis is also joining the bullpen and is someone who looked tremendous in spring training. Maybe Junis is someone who steps up in his new role and makes the bullpen a force to reckoned with.

If the Royals’ younger arms in the bullpen make a splash throughout the course of the 2021 season, they can be in great shape late in the year.

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