Kansas City Royals: Looking at Forever Royal Candidates

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Yordano Ventura

Much like Salvador Perez, the Kansas City Royals have already locked the young ace to an extension through the 2019 season with two team options that would keep the starter with the team through 2021. Obviously, there would not be a great rush to give Ventura another contract extension.

However, if he manages to become the pitcher that the Royals envision, he could end up as a candidate for another extension in a couple of more seasons.

Of course, that depends on his ability to overcome his difficulties this season, which have manifested with a 4.82 ERA and a 1.311 WHIP, along with a brief trek to Omaha.

There is no denying Ventura’s talent. His 100 MPH fastball and solid change should be enough to help him keep the opposition off-balance. He has proven to be able to rise for the biggest moments, as his performance during Game Six of last year’s World Series proved.

He has also let his emotions get the best of him, especially at the beginning of this season. If he can tap into that feistiness and use that to fuel his performances, Ventura could emerge as that ace pitcher after all.

Perhaps, in the next few years, we can begin the conversation on making Yordano Ventura a lifetime member of the Kansas City Royals. Let us see if he can truly reach his potential or not first.

Next: The Boras Factor