3 big things the KC Royals should do in season's final week

The KC Royals need to get a couple of looks at pitcher Anthony Veneziano

The Omaha Storm Chasers, Kansas City's longtime Triple-A affiliate, closed out their 2023 season Sunday by beating Columbus 3-2. Absent from the effort was starting pitcher Anthony Veneziano who, after beginning his season with 5-1, 2.13 ERA performance at Double-A Northwest Arkansas, went 5-4, 4.22 at Omaha before the Royals called him up to the majors last Tuesday.

Since then, Veneziano, rated by MLB Pipeline as the KC system's 16th-best prospect, has watched from the sidelines, waiting still to throw his first big league pitch.

That needs to change; Veneziano must see action. Promoting without pitching such a good prospect is a waste the club can avoid by giving him a couple of chances during its final six games.

Will that happen? Probably. Manager Matt Quatraro suggested as much several days ago when he told MLB.com Royals beat writer Anne Rogers that he'll work Veneziano and Jonathan Bowlan, the other Storm Chaser called up when Brady Singer and Brad Keller went on the Injured List, out of the bullpen before deciding which will take Singer's rotation slot.

Fans may get their first look at Veneziano Tuesday. With Zack Greinke, who now works just a few innings each time out, scheduled to get the start in Detroit, the Royals will likely need more than one reliever.

And the third thing the Royals should do?