Kansas City Royals make correct move with Jorge Lopez

The experiment of Jorge Lopez as a starter is over, as the Kansas City Royals will transition him to a long term bullpen role.

One can understand why the Kansas City Royals gave Jorge Lopez a chance in the starting rotation. He had flashes of brilliance as a starter, such as his eight no hit innings last season. Likewise, he would be more valuable as a starter than in the bullpen, providing a greater return on their trade of Mike Moustakas.

Lopez, unfortunately, did not show any of that ability as a starter for the Royals this season. He made ten starts this year, lasting just 49.2 innings. Over that span, Lopez allowed 41 runs, 39 earned, on 60 hits and 20 walks, striking out 47 batters. Unsurprisingly, he posted a 0-6 record, with the Royals winning just one of those games.

Although he has just two relief outings this season, Lopez has been much better. Over his seven innings in relief, he has allowed just three runs on five hits and two walks, striking out ten batters. Unsurprisingly, the Royals have decided to make Lopez a long term part of the bullpen, hoping that he can be their next Wade Davis in terms of changing roles.

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Although expecting that Lopez will become WadeBot 2.0 is unreasonable, there are plenty of reasons to imagine that he will find success in this new role. Over 13 career relief appearances spanning 28.2 innings, he has posted a 3.14 ERA and a 1.430 WHiP, striking out 25 batters against 16 walks. The opposition has mustered just a .238/.336/.343 batting line with two homers in 122 plate appearances against Lopez the reliever.

It has been a different story as a starter. In that role, Lopez has allowed the opposition to post a .303/.369/.515 batting line in 423 plate appearances, with 17 homers. That has led to a 6.63 ERA and a 1.591 WHiP over his 93.2 innings as a member of the rotation.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Lopez has been much better the first time through a lineup than in subsequent plate appearances. In that first plate appearance, opponents had mustered only a .250/.331/.404 batting line with seven home runs. Likewise, in his first 25 pitches, opponents have a mustered a .262/.340/.448 batting line. While that may not be Davis-esque, it is certainly better than what the Royals have seen with Lopez thus far.

This move will also allow Lopez to focus on what he is best at – throwing his fastball and curve. His change does have moments of being useful, but is a fringe offering at best more often than not. Now, he can fire his mid 90s fastball and curve, potentially serving as a high leverage arm in a bullpen desperately in need of someone to step forward.

The Kansas City Royals are putting Jorge Lopez in the bullpen for the long haul. It is the right decision.