Royals fans already clamoring for team to put an end to failed bullpen experiment

The Kansas City Royals may be riding the high of their latest victory over the Minnesota Twins, which extended their winning streak up to three games, but that doesn't mean they've been perfect.

One of the biggest areas in which fans have picked apart so far this season has been the bullpen, thanks in large part to the underperformance of their closer, the now-injured Carlos Estévez.

However, it hasn't just been Estévez who's massively underperformed out of the bullpen for the Royals to start the new season. Bailey Falter has also left a lot to be desired in his first two outings of the year.

And unlike Estévez, Falter didn't enter the season off the backs of an MLB saves title and a guaranteed spot in this Royals 'pen. Falter seemed to be added to this bullpen more out of a logistical formality, as he had no minor league options remaining and wasn't completely dreadful during spring training.

The move itself though was gamble nonetheless, considering there were plenty of names like the only recently promoted Steven Cruz and World Baseball Classic standout in Luinder Avila that were optioned to Triple-A ahead of Opening Day.

And after entering Wednesday having surrendered a pair of earned runs during his last appearance on Opening Day against the Braves, Falter came on in a low leverage situation with the Royals up seven runs in a clean ninth and immediately let the first five runners he faced reach base. As a result, he ended up surrendering three runs, making this victory look more narrow than it actually was.

It may only be two outings across nine games, but plenty of Royals fans already seem to be done with Falter.

Royals fans could be getting sense of déjà vu with Bailey Falter after failed Chris Stratton experiment in 2025

It's only been two outings, but if we're pointing fingers on who's performed and who hasn't in 2026, Falter is probably atop the list of underperformers.

In 3.1 innings of work, the soon-to-be 29-year-old veteran is throwing to a 13.50 ERA, 6.47 FIP, 3.00 WHIP, .444 BAA and a high 10.0% walk rate.

And to put it into context with his limited time in 2025 after arriving with the team post trade deadline, Falter now holds an 11.74 ERA and 2.41 WHIP in 15.1 innings in Kansas City.

While it seems early in the year for the Royals to make a roster move that would require someone passing through waivers, it doesn't mean that it's too early for Royals fans to feel the way they do about Falter.

He's not the first converted starter to underwhelm and frankly look utterly brutal from the get-go in recent seasons. Chris Stratton was in the same boat as Falter this time last season.

Before he was designated for assignment and subsequently released in the back half of May last year, Stratton looked like shoo-in to suffer a blow-up outing every time he hit the mound. In 17.0 innings in 2025 with Kansas City, he tossed to a 7.94 ERA, 2.18 WHIP and .367 BAA.

It's hard not to look at these early outings from Falter and not see history repeating itself.

And in a division like the AL Central which could be incredibly tight this season, every small margin could be the difference.

So, perhaps the fanbase is right, perhaps a change is needed now.

If and how soon that happens remains to be seen. But, if Falter continues to perform they way he has, based on how much leeway they gave Stratton a year ago, he might find himself either in Triple-A Omaha or in search of another job entirely sooner rather than later.