KC Royals make more moves; Ryan McBroom recalled

The KC Royals are continuing to shift things around, looking for what works the best.

The KC Royals have found a way to win so far in 2021, even with plenty of struggle around the field. Whether it’s injury, or just trying new things, they have made a few transactions so far this year and now have announced a few more moves. This time, they are sending relief pitcher Jake Newberry down and recalling Ryan McBroom.

It wasn’t long ago that Newberry was called up but in his short time in the majors for 2021, he hasn’t impressed. In 3.1 innings, he has given up 5 earned runs, walked 3, and holds an ERA of 13.50.

Newberry has given the Royals some good innings in previous seasons but never gets consistent time in majors. He will see time at the alternate site, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him again later in the season if needed.

As Newberry moves down, Ryan McBroom will move up. Most fans likely know McBroom by now. He came over in 2019 from the Yankees organization and was immediately in a battle for first base with Ryan O’Hearn.

McBroom has struggled to get things going consistently in the majors, slashing .247/.282/.506 with 6 home runs in 2020, but has proven himself to be an efficient pinch hitter. He also provides some defensive depth for the Royals.

McBroom can play both the outfield and first base, giving the Royals even more versatility to move players around as needed. It’s not surprising to see him back in the majors especially since Kansas City begins a two-game series today in a National League park and may have more of a need for a pinch hitter in later innings.

Royals continue to add pitching depth in the minors

Along with the moves for Newberry and McBroom, the Royals also announced they have agreed to terms with pitcher Mike Shawaryn on a minor league contract.

Shawaryn has spent his career in the Red Sox organization though he hasn’t seen much major league time. After being drafted by the club in 2016 out of the University of Maryland, Shawaryn quickly made his way through the minors. By 2018 he had seen Triple-A and in 2019 he got his first shot in the majors.

Though the majority of his experience in the minors was as a reliever, the Red Sox used him in a relief role. Over 20.1 innings, he managed to strike out 29, but he walked 13 and gave up 33 earned runs.

He throws a fastball that averaged 92 mph in 2019 and pairs it with a slider and curve, both sitting in the mid to low 80s.

Based on his previous numbers, Shawaryn doesn’t seem like a pitcher that will make an immediate impact, but the Royals could find a use for him in the future. They have found success in calming pitchers’ control and recently have seen success with Jake Brentz who came to the Royals under similar circumstances.

Kansas City’s bullpen has done well so far and their rotation is coming around, but it never hurts to have pitching depth in the minors.

Jake Newberry has been optioned to the alternate site and Ryan McBroom has been recalled.