Kyle Zimmer is Facing an Important 2015 Season

Kyle Zimmer, with reason, had been considered one of the Royals top pitching prospects prior to both the 2013 and 2014 seasons. It is easy to see why. Despite not being Yordano Ventura when it comes to throwing heat, he has hit 100 with his fastball and is expected to have an above average curve and slider when they develop. Along with Ventura, Danny Duffy and potentially Brandon Finnegan, he could potentially give the Royals quite the excellent young rotation.

That is, in a perfect world, Zimmer would give the Royals yet another excellent young starter. The problem is, he just has not been able to remain healthy. Thus far, he has been injured each year he has been with the Royals, as he missed time at the end of the 2012 season to remove bone chips in his elbow. In 2013, Zimmer missed more time with bicep tendinitis, and he missed most of the 2014 season because of a shoulder injury.

Then, right when Kyle Zimmer appeared to be right and was hitting his stride in the Arizona Fall League, injuries struck once again. In his outing after striking out ten batters in five innings of work, Zimmer once again had to depart due to injury, as that same shoulder once again experienced soreness.

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While the Royals hope that rest will make the difference for Zimmer, that is certainly not a guarantee. In fact, the oft-injured Zimmer may be facing an important 2015 season on multiple fronts. While he has produced solid numbers in his minor league career with a 3.66 ERA, a 1.199 WHiP and eleven strikeout per nine innings, Zimmer has only appeared in four games above A ball.

For all of this talent and lofty prospect status, Kyle Zimmer is still a question mark for the Royals. Can he stay healthy for a full season as a starter? How will he fare at the upper levels of the minors? Even though his stuff should play well regardless of where he pitches, Zimmer only has those four outings as proof that he can handle the AA level.

The 2015 season may go a long way towards answering those questions for both Kyle Zimmer and the Royals. Hopefully, he can remain healthy and live up to his top prospect billing. Otherwise, the Royals may need to ask themselves what type of a role Zimmer can succeed in going forward.

Next: Kyle Zimmer Shut Down Once Again