Kansas City Royals: Danny Duffy looking to match Gil Meche

The Kansas City Royals have yet to determine their Opening Day starter. If he gets the nod, Danny Duffy would become the first pitcher since Gil Meche to start three consecutive Opening Days for the Royals.

As it stands, the Kansas City Royals are not tipping their hand as to whom will be starting on Opening Day. According to manager Ned Yost, there are several candidates, from veteran Danny Duffy to impressive youngsters Jake Junis and Brad Keller. It will be quite the battle to watch as Spring Training unfolds.

In theory, Duffy would appear to have the advantage. He toed the rubber on Opening Day in both 2017 and 2018, the first pitcher to earn the nod in consecutive seasons since James Shields in 2013 and 2014. Yet, Duffy has a chance to go beyond Shields in Royals history.

Should he get that nod for a third consecutive year, he would join an impressive list of pitchers in Royals history. Only five other pitchers have received the ball to start the Royals season in at least three consecutive seasons, with Kansas City legends Dennis Leonard, Bud Black, and Kevin Appier amongst them. Jeff Suppan also got the nod for three consecutive seasons, but that speaks more to the quality of the Royals pitchers from 2000 through 2002 than to Suppan’s ability.

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The fifth pitcher is perhaps the most interesting. Gil Meche took the ball on Opening Day from 2007 through 2009, the beginning of his five year contract worth $55 million. Meche was brought in to give the Royals respectability, and he did just that before injuries to his shoulder ruined his career and forced his retirement.

If Duffy is to join Meche, and the aforementioned quartet, he may need to prove himself in Spring Training. 2018 was a disaster for Duffy, as he posted a disappointing 8-12 record, along with a 4.88 ERA and a 1.490 WHiP. His ERA+ of 88 was his worst mark since his rookie campaign in 2011.

However, if the Royals are going to find their way back into contention in the next couple of years, Duffy will need to be a major part of that. He may just need a mechanical adjustment, as he struggled with his command at times last season. He walked 4.1 batters per nine innings last season, his highest mark since 2013. A return to his previous levels, where Duffy kept his walks down to a far more manageable level, could bring him back to being that top of the rotation starter the Royals need. And, could lead to his third consecutive Opening Day start.

It has been a decade since the Kansas City Royals have trotted out the same pitcher for three consecutive starts on Opening Day. While he has some competition, Danny Duffy is looking to equal a feat last achieved by Gil Meche and earn that third consecutive start.