Royals Rotation Depth Presents Tough Decisions

Impressive pitching staff gives manager Matt Quatraro lineup options to consider

Mar. 11, 2026 at 6:20pm

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The Kansas City Royals have an abundance of talented starting pitchers, including three recent All-Stars in Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, and Kris Bubic, as well as other promising young arms like Noah Cameron, Ryan Bergert, Stephen Kolek, and Bailey Falter. This depth presents manager Matt Quatraro with difficult decisions on how to construct the starting rotation for the upcoming season.

Why it matters

The Royals' deep pitching staff is a positive sign for the team's future, as having multiple high-caliber starters provides flexibility and insurance against injuries. However, Quatraro must carefully balance the needs of all his pitchers and determine the optimal rotation that gives the team the best chance to succeed.

The details

In addition to the three All-Stars, the Royals have several other pitchers vying for rotation spots, including rookie Noah Cameron, who finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting, and Ryan Bergert, who has been highly impressive in spring training. The team must also decide whether to move Kris Bubic back to the bullpen to accommodate the other starters. Other names in the mix include Stephen Kolek, Bailey Falter, and Luinder Avila, who Quatraro believes has the potential to become a frontline starter.

  • The Royals' 2026 season begins on March 28.

The players

J.J. Picollo

The Royals' general manager who has emphasized the need for pitching depth.

Matt Quatraro

The Royals' manager who must determine the optimal starting rotation.

Cole Ragans

One of the Royals' three recent All-Star starting pitchers.

Seth Lugo

One of the Royals' three recent All-Star starting pitchers.

Kris Bubic

One of the Royals' three recent All-Star starting pitchers.

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What they’re saying

“We must have eight, nine, or even ten starting pitchers to get through a season, recognizing the high attrition rate among pitchers.”

— J.J. Picollo, Royals General Manager (royalsreview.com)

“Luinder Avila has the chance to become a frontline starter.”

— Matt Quatraro, Royals Manager (royalsreview.com)

What’s next

The Royals will need to finalize their starting rotation before the season opener on March 28.

The takeaway

The Royals' impressive pitching depth is a positive sign for the team's future, but it also presents a challenge for manager Matt Quatraro in determining the optimal starting rotation. The decisions made will have a significant impact on the team's success in the upcoming season.