The 2024 MLB season was a big year for the Kansas City Royals. Not only did the franchise finish with their best win total (86) in nearly a decade, but they also qualified for the postseason for the first time since their 2015 World Series run.
While losing to the New York Yankees in the AL Division Series wasn't ideal, the Royals are ready to pick up where they left off. Matt Quatraro's club's road to back-to-back playoff appearances begins on Friday when they take on the Texas Rangers in spring training action.
On Tuesday, Royals fans learned who'll be starting on the mound in the exhibition opener.
Royals Spring Training News: Daniel Lynch IV to Start vs. Rangers
MLB.com's Anne Rogers is reporting that Royals left-handed pitcher Daniel Lynch IV will be starting against the Rangers on Friday. Rogers added that minor-league hurlers Noah Cameron and Chandler Champlain will also see two innings of action.
Daniel Lynch IV will get the ball for the #Royals Cactus League opener on Friday against the Rangers.
— Anne Rogers (@anne__rogers) February 18, 2025
Noah Cameron, Chandler Champlain also scheduled for two innings.
Lynch, 28, has been with the Royals since he was drafted 34th overall by the franchise in 2018. The former Baseball America top-25 prospect began his Kansas City run as a starting pitcher, but a series of injuries forced him out of the club's rotation plans.
While Lynch spent most of the 2024 campaign bouncing between the Majors and minors, he eventually became a fixture of the Royals' bullpen down the stretch. By the time the regular season was over, the former Virginia Cavalier finished with a 2-0 record, 3.32 ERA, 0.992 WHIP, and 8.1 strikeouts per nine innings across 16 appearances (3 starts).
Nevertheless, Friday's game will mark Lynch's second consecutive spring training opener. He also faced off against the Rangers to open the 2024 exhibition slate, pitching a scoreless inning while allowing a walk.
Hopefully, Lynch will pick up from where he left off in September by pitching well on Friday. Getting him on track early on will be crucial for Kansas City's success on the mound, whether he's in the starting rotation or bullpen.
Royals fans can listen to Friday's spring training tilt vs. the Rangers by tuning into 96.5 FM The Fan at 3:05 p.m. ET.