KC Royals need to trust young pitchers in 2021

This season proved the young arms the KC Royals have drafted recently can hold their own and deserve the opportunity instead of signing mediocre starters.

Each year the KC Royals pick up players entering the back half of their career or coming off serious injuries.  While the hope is for them to be productive, much of the incentive is to use them for trading chips.  Brady Singer and Kris Bubic have shown that the much-heralded pitching prospects have a bright future given the chance.

Royals fans knew the potential was there but not having pitched above the Double-A or Single-A level for Singer and Bubic, respectively, left the possibility open they could get hit hard in the majors this year.  Outside of Brad Keller, these two rookies were the best pitchers in the rotation.

With a 1.17 WHIP, ERA+ of 113, and a WAR of 1.1, Singer easily showed he was ready for the spotlight.  His last four starts were very impressive, including the near no-hitter at Cleveland on September 10.  Ending the season throwing 24 innings, striking out 25, and allowing only eight walks, nine hits, and four earned runs, he showed no signs of slowing down.

Bubic, meanwhile, had lower Sabermetrics with a 106 ERA+, 0.4 WAR, and 1.48 WHIP but was blowing away batters with nearly nine strikeouts per nine innings.  He also closed out strong only allowing more than two earned runs in one of his final five starts.

Waiting in the wings are Jackson Kowar (Double-A experience), Daniel Lynch and Jonathan Bowlan (High-A experience), and new pick Asa Lacy, a gift that fell in the Royals lap.  All of these hurlers were among the best in college during their respective careers.

The Royals could take a flyer on veterans like in the past with Homer Bailey, who gives them a half-season of starts before being flipped.  More often than not, though, players like Jason Hammel and Matt Harvey take up a valuable roster spot that keeps future stars of the franchise from obtaining valuable experience.

Let Singer and Bubic be the guide.  We have tremendous talent waiting for their opportunity.  Do not allow 2021 to be a wasted season for them.