Kansas City Royals cannot quit Bubba Starling

Bubba Starling is back once again. The Kansas City Royals just cannot quit their former first round pick.

The Kansas City Royals and Bubba Starling are much like that couple that has been together forever. Every so often, they will split apart, but then reunite as they realize that they are intertwined. Even if they claim that it is permanent this time, we all know better.

As such, it is not a surprise that Starling is back with the Royals, having agreed to a minor league deal with the only franchise he has ever known.

This is not the first time that Starling had been let go only to be brought back on the minor league deal. He had been granted free agency at the end of November in 2018, only to return approximately three weeks later.

Although the fifth overall pick in the 2011 MLB Draft has finally found his way to the majors, the results have not been impressive. He has produced a .204/.246/.298 batting line in his 261 plate appearances, hitting five homers and eight doubles.

Starling was a bit of a gamble even when he was drafted by Kansas City. He was considered a toolsy outfielder with plenty of raw power and speed, but the key word was raw. He was going to take plenty of time to develop, if he would ever be able to tap into his potential. There had been flashes in the minors, but Starling was unable to consistently put together the type of season that one would have expected from such a high draft pick.

Nonetheless, the Royals have brought Starling back for a tenth year in the organization. He is still just 28 years old, giving hope that he can possibly put everything together and be a productive player. But with the Royals goal of contending in the near future, they is not much time left for Starling to make good on his potential and his impressive raw tools.

The Kansas City Royals just cannot quit Bubba Starling. He is back again, having signed another minor league contract.