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Kansas City Royals top pitching prospect ready to make his mark

By David Hill

TEMPE, ARIZONA - MARCH 24: Daniel Lynch #52 of the Kansas City Royals pitches in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels during the MLB spring training game at Tempe Diablo Stadium on March 24, 2021 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
TEMPE, ARIZONA - MARCH 24: Daniel Lynch #52 of the Kansas City Royals pitches in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels during the MLB spring training game at Tempe Diablo Stadium on March 24, 2021 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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The Kansas City Royals have been one of the more pleasant surprises in baseball this year. They have the best record in the American League, emerging atop a division where they were an afterthought in the preseason. It is a great story, but not one that is expected to last throughout the season.

However, the Royals have designs on competing this year. With that in mind, they are bringing in reinforcements, as their top pitching prospect, Daniel Lynch, is set to start on Monday.

Kansas City Royals show they mean business with Daniel Lynch

Right now, Lynch is set to take Jakob Junis’ spot in the rotation. While Junis has pitched well, the Royals relief corps has taken a beating over the past few days. Between injuries and needing to make up for Brady Singer‘s early departure on Friday, the Royals bullpen is thinner than they would like.

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This promotion to the majors shows a great deal of faith by the Royals’ organization. Although Lynch is a consensus top 100 prospect, he has yet to pitch above A-ball. In this instance, the Royals have to feel that he showed enough between his performance at the alternate site last season, and in spring training this year, to warrant such a promotion.

Lynch has the arsenal to succeed. The lefty has a mid 90s fastball with solid movement, along with a plus changeup and slider. He also throws a curve, but that pitch is average at best. There are questions about his ability to repeat his delivery, which can cause his command and control to fade, but the upside for Lynch is that of a top of the rotation arm.

He will get his chance to prove himself at the major league level earlier than expected. The Royals’ surprising start, as well as their stated commitment to compete this season, has led to this opportunity. Should he perform well, there is every chance that his time has come.

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The Kansas City Royals have been one of the biggest surprises in baseball this year. By promoting Daniel Lynch, they are showing that they mean business.

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