Kansas City Royals: The four best closer options

The Kansas City Royals bullpen is in a state of flux. But finding a consistent option for the ninth inning could help the rest of the relief corps find their way in 2019.

Plenty of words have been typed regarding the Kansas City Royals bullpen issues in 2018. Those woes were a major part of their horrendous showing last year, as the Royals bullpen posted an ERA better than only the Marlins. Kansas City knew they would be taking a step back last year, and the midseason trade of Kelvin Herrera only made a weak bullpen even worse.

During the Royals heyday in the middle of the decade, the bullpen was a weapon, a difference maker that led to consecutive World Series appearances. Led by the bullpen Cerberus of Herrera, Wade Davis, and Greg Holland, the Royals were able to shorten games behind a makeshift rotation. Even the less heralded relievers, such as Luke Hochevar and Jason Frasor, were instrumental in that success.

For the Royals to rebuild that bullpen, and to turn it into the weapon it once was, they need to find the right roles for the pitchers on their staff. Of those roles, the most important may be the closer position. Chances are, the Royals are not going to win by dramatically outscoring their opponents, making that ability to protect a close lead all the more important.

Who ends up as the Kansas City Royals closer? Let us take a look at some of the best options currently on the roster.

Wily Peralta

At the end of last season, Wily Peralta ended up as the Kansas City Royals closer. Whether or not he can keep that role for 2019 is already in question.

Based on his statistics, Peralta had a solid stint in the Royals bullpen last year. He posted a 3.67 ERA and struck out 35 batters in his 34.1 innings, while being perfect in all 14 of his save opportunities. However, Peralta also walked 23 batters in that span, leading to a 1.485 WHiP. Likewise, his 4.73 FIP shows that Peralta had a bit of luck to emerge from those outings relatively unscathed.

Even though his performance was hardly stellar when viewed with a wider scope, Peralta may well be the favorite to close in 2019. He did lock down each of his opportunities, and there is a history of teams sticking with the incumbent because they were decent enough in that role.

Yet, Peralta’s grasp on the closer position is tenuous at best,. Not only was his performance last season rather shaky, despite the perfect performance in terms of save opportunities, but there is more competition for the role this year. The Royals have added to their bullpen, and the youngsters could be ready to seize the opportunity should Peralta falter.

At this point, Wily Peralta is likely one of the co-favorites to close for the Kansas City Royals. However, his spot is not a given.

Brad Boxberger

Even though Brad Boxberger may not have that Certified Proven Closer label, he is the closest that the Kansas City Royals have on their roster.

Over the course of his seven year career, Boxberger has been a closer twice, serving one year in that role for both the Rays and the Diamondbacks. During that season with the Rays, he was an All Star, leading the AL with 41 saves in 2015. After that season, he returned to more of a setup role with the Rays, before his trade to the Diamondbacks last year.

Inserted back into the closer role, Boxberger did not have that same level of success that he found in his previous stint as a closer. Last year, he posted an underwhelming 4.39 ERA and a 1.425 WHiP over his 53.1 innings of work. While he did notch 32 saves and struck out 71 batters, Boxberger also issued 32 walks, a concerning number for any reliever.

Signed on a one year contract, Boxberger has a chance to resurrect his career with the Royals. His role is not a given at this point, as he could serve as the primary option in the eighth inning at the start of the year. However, if Peralta falters, or if Boxberger has a truly impressive Spring, the closer role could be his.

Brad Boxberger is the closest thing to a proven closer on the Kansas City Royals roster. If he can improve his command, that role might be his for the taking.

Richard Lovelady

Viewed as a possible closer of the future for the Kansas City Royals, Richard Lovelady’s time could be now.

Originally selected as a 10th round draft pick in the 2016 MLB Draft, Lovelady has rocketed through the system. He found himself at AAA last season, where he produced an excellent 2.47 ERA and a 1.014 WHiP, notching nine saves. Over his 73 innings, Lovelady struck out 71 batters, while issuing only 21 walks.

Lovelady certainly has the type of arsenal that could work out well in a closer role. Armed with a mid 90s fastball and an excellent slider, he has the type of mix that could prove devastating as a closer. However, as a lefty, he may be viewed as more valuable in an Andrew Miller/Josh Hader type of role instead of being slotted into the ninth inning.

He does have the potential to seize a spot in Spring Training. Although he is not on the 40 man roster just yet, Lovelady was invited to the major league portion of camp. Given the Royals wide open bullpen, and their desperate need of quality relief options, he could not only force his way onto the roster, but into a significant role in 2019.

Richard Lovelady may be the closer of the future for the Kansas City Royals. That future could come as soon as this year.