KC Royals: Jakob Junis might keep Kris Bubic out of the rotation

Jakob Junis continues to look dominant as a starter for the KC Royals, making it difficult to replace him with Kris Bubic in the rotation.

The Kansas City Royals had planned on using Jakob Junis as a reliever this year, as he had struggled to pitch more than a handful of clean innings during his years as a starter. Mike Matheny had Junis start a game against Cleveland last week so that Brad Keller could be the starter against the White Sox and Junis has remained in the role ever since.

Junis has started two games for the Royals and looked really good. He twirled another gem on Thursday, pitching five innings and surrendering two runs while striking out six. The Royals went on to win 7-5 over a hard-hitting Blue Jays offense, making Junis’ performance even more impressive. He shut down a very good offense until the very end of his outing.

Junis is making it really hard to demote him to the bullpen and if he does indeed stay in the rotation, what does that mean for Kris Bubic? The Royals had high hopes for Bubic this year but had him start the season in the minor leagues due to not really needing a fifth starter early on.

At the time of Bubic getting optioned to start the year, many felt it was just a strategic move because the team needed more relievers than starters during that first week and a half of the season. Bubic also had struggled mightily in spring training, sporting an ugly ERA of 8.59 through 7.1 innings pitched. Bubic has plenty to work on in the minor leagues and that could be where he stays until either he pitches better or Junis starts to slow down.

Jakob Junis might have staked his claim in the KC Royals’ rotation, leaving Kris Bubic on the outs.

If Junis continues to pitch as well as he has been, then the Royals shouldn’t mess with anything. Keep Junis in the rotation and let him deal for five or six innings every time he starts while Bubic either stays in the minors or eventually comes to KC and spends time in the bullpen.

Bubic showed promise as a rookie in 2020, but there are definitely things he needs to work on and he can do that in the minors. It’d be silly to send Junis back to the bullpen when he’s looking really good as a starter for a guy who is still young and could use some extra seasoning.

Jakob Junis has made the most of his opportunities so far and carved up batters in his first two starts. If he continues this kind of production, the Royals have to keep him in their rotation and think of another plan for Bubic.