5 ‘feel good’ things from the 2022 KC Royals season

2022 “Feel Good” No. 3: A KC Royals starting pitcher put it all together.

When Kansas City jumped Brady Singer, the first player the club chose in the 2018 amateur draft, from Double-A ball to the big leagues to start the 2020 season, few probably expected him to ever return to the minors. His pitches, stuff, and maturity were that good.

Singer stayed in the Royals’ rotation that year, going 4-5 with a 4.06 ERA, but went 5-10, 4.91 in 2021, a season marked by criticism of his reluctance to throw changeups. And after losing his rotation spot to begin this season and allowing four runs in 5.2 relief innings, Singer was back in the minors April 28 when the club optioned him to Omaha to stretch out as a starter, but perhaps with the additional assignment to work on the changeup he seemed to so distrust, dislike, or both.

The righthander was back May 17, but only for a game as the 27th man for a doubleheader against the White Sox. The difference was remarkable—in a scoreless seven-inning start, Singer struck out nine, walked none, and scattered four hits to earn his first win.

Kansas City was forced by rule to send him back down after the game but wasted no time bringing him back. He started against Minnesota May 22 and threw another seven scoreless innings, then beat the Twins six days later.

Singer went 6-1, 2.59 in his last 10 starts to finish 10-5, 3.23. He’s Kansas City’s ace going into 2023.