Kansas City Royals All Time 25 Man Roster

Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Relief Pitcher – Wade Davis

Wade Davis has been a member of the Kansas City Royals bullpen for just over two seasons. Yet, in that brief span of time, he has proven to be one of the more dominant pitchers in baseball today.

After flaming out as a starting pitcher, Davis has become a force in the Royals bullpen. Initially staking his claim as the primary eighth inning option after Luke Hochevar was lost for the year in 2014, Davis ended up as a co-closer of sorts following Greg Holland’s injury woes last year.

In the past two seasons, Davis has put up numbers that more closely resemble a video game than reality. He has a 17-3 record with 20 saves, but his most impressive numbers come from his ability to limit baserunners and runs. Over 139.1 innings, Davis has a 0.97 ERA and a 0.818 WHiP, striking out 187 batters against 43 walks. That dominance has extended to the postseason, where he has allowed only one earned run on 14 hits, striking out 38 batters against five walks in 25 innings.

Every so often, a failed starter transitions to the bullpen and becomes a truly dominant reliever. That happened with Wade Davis, and the Kansas City Royals could not be happier.

Next: The forgotten man in the bullpen