Talkin Royals

Heading into the 2022 offseason, the Royals focused on pitching. And on December 13th, the team made their first major signing of the Picollo era. The boys in blue announced that they signed left-handed submarine pitcher Ryan Yarbrough to a major league contract worth $3 million guaranteed with $1 million in incentives. Yarbrough was let go by the Rays after being projected to earn $4.2 million next year making the decision easy for the Rays. The submarine pitcher appeared in 20 games for Tampa Bay and posted a 4.50 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 80 innings pitched. The left-hander started nine games with Tampa Bay last season. Although Yarbrough started in only nine games, he now gives the Royals options for a rotation that had a few questions surrounding it heading into the off-season. Yarbrough has a four pitch mix that includes a changeup, cut fastball, sinker and a curveball, giving him plenty of options as a reliever or a starter. The signing of Yarbrough in my opinion isn...

 Kansas City originally acquired Brad Keller from the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2017 in the Rule 5 Draft. Keller's time with the Royals has been very up and down. The right hander owns a career 4.25 ERA; but unfortunately, the past two seasons his ERA has been above five. Many fans have been frustrated with Keller's numbers since joining the team. I can't say I blame them; however, I don't put all the blame on Keller. In fact, I blame the poor coaching of Cal Eldred. Now that Eldred is no longer part of the Royals’ coaching staff, could we see Keller's full potential in 2023? Kansas City recently tendered Keller a contract for the upcoming season, so the team obviously still believes in the hurler. Many fans wanted the team to move on from the right hander, but I believe the Royals made the right decision to keep the right hander around for another season. According to RotoChamp.com, Keller is projected to post a 5.11 ERA with 102 punchouts. The 2023 seas...