3 Kansas City Royals who could make significant leap in 2020

KANSAS CITY, MO - MAY 26: Adalberto Mondesi #27 of the Kansas City Royals throws a runner out after fielding the ball during a game against the New York Yankees at Kauffman Stadium on May 26, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals won 8-7 in ten innings. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

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Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images /

2. SP Brad Keller

If he had not tested positive for COVID-19, Keller might have had a chance to be the Royals’ Opening Day starter. He has returned to team summer camp though and should be no worse for the wear when he’s ready to pitch at full capacity.

After posting a 3.08 ERA in 2018 debut season for the Royals (41 appearances, 20 starts), Keller made 28 starts last year with a 4.19 ERA over 165.1 innings. Throw out his rough, abbreviated last season of the season, and over a 15-start stretch from June 2-Aug. 20 Keller had a 3.48 ERA with solid peripheral rates (7.1 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9). He went at least six innings in 11 of those outings, with eight quality starts.

Keller is not likely to become a strikeout-per inning-plus type pitcher. But he’s only coming up on his 25th birthday (July 27), and there’s definitely a place him in the Royals’ rotation for years to come. Progress to an ERA in the 3.50-range this feels possible, and it will be prudent to ignore his win-loss record. If he takes that step, Keller will make a strong case to be Kansas City’s Opening Day starter in 2021.

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