Kansas City Royals: Time to free Bubba Starling
By David Hill
It is time for the Kansas City Royals to see what they have in Bubba Starling.
On Saturday, the Kansas City Royals promoted an outfielder from AAA Omaha. He was once a top 100 prospect in the game, a player who was expected to be a key part of the Royals lineup. This was a player who, at one point in time, was thought to be a potential game changer, a star that the Royals could build around.
The Royals actually have several players in AAA that fit that profile. The player they chose was Jorge Bonifacio, a player with intriguing power potential, but had yet to put anything together at the major league level. It is also hard to argue that he deserved the chance due to his minor league numbers this year, as Bonifacio had posted a meager .195/.250/.395 batting line in 240 plate appearances prior to his promotion. But hey, he did hit 11 homers…and strike out 72 times with only 15 walks.
Meanwhile, another 26 year old outfielder, Bubba Starling, remains at AAA. Unlike Bonifacio, he has actually hit enough to warrant a look at the major league level. The former fifth overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft has produced a .332/.378/.455 batting line with four homers, nine doubles, and eight steals.
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Based on the stats, it would seem as though Starling was the obvious choice. However, Bonifacio was already on the Royals 40 man roster, whereas Starling lost his spot during the offseason when he was let go, He may be back with the organization, but Starling signed a minor league deal, and did not require a spot on the roster to remain with the franchise.
At this point, it is hard to argue against putting Starling back on the 40 man roster. Players like Lucas Duda, Terrance Gore, Wily Peralta, and Homer Bailey are taking up space. None of them are a part of the future. Starling may not be either, but at least he has far more potential than any of those other options.
It is that potential that the Royals have to bank on at this point. 2019 is yet another lost season in Kansas City, one that will end with the Royals losing close to 100 games and finishing with a top three draft pick. Yet, those struggles can be worth it if the Royals find players that can be a part of the future.
dark. Next. Royals still looking for answer at first
Bubba Starling was once expected to be just that. Now, it is time for the Kansas City Royals to set him free, and bring him to the majors.