The Kansas City Royals and Brady Singer are fresh off a stellar 2024 season. Singer posted career highs in 2024 in starts (32), innings pitched (179.2), and strikeouts (170). It was a bounceback year after a worse showing the year prior in 2023. It all culminated in 2.5 fWAR and a 3.71 for Singer. Royals General Manager, J.J. Picollo, discussed Brady Singer at the GM Meetings earlier this month. Picollo stated the Royals are “very comfortable with our starting pitching right now” and called Singer “a lock in our rotation.”
How much of that was truth, versus “GM speak?” Just over a week later, we may have our answer. On Saturday, reports from Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic state that the Royals have been in trade discussions with the Reds. Those discussions reportedly center around Singer and Reds infielder Jonathan India. India, a former college teammate of Singer, has long been the talk of trade rumors. Dating back to last offseason there were rumors that Cincinnati would look to trade India but a trade never developed. It remains to be seen just how serious the trade talks go. Last offseason, you’ll remember, the Royals held trade talks on a handful of key players. Vinnie Pasquantino came up in talks with the Miami Marlins. Second baseman Michael Massey was a focal point for the Seattle Mariners. Both players stayed in Kansas City.
Who is Jonathan India and what would he bring to Kansas City?
We already know who Brady Singer is. There are good things and bad things about his game. Among them are the worrisome platoon splits that plagued Singer even in a strong 2024 season. India was the fifth overall pick in 2018 out of Florida. He’s set to become a free agent in 2027 — the same team control that Singer offers. India also offers positive value offensively. In 2024, he slashed .248/.357/.392. Despite the low power output, India was good for a 108 wRC+ thanks mostly to good walk totals and low strikeout numbers.
India’s 12.6% walk rate and 19.6% strikeout rate were both career-bests. He hit 15 home runs and stole 13 bases. Defensively, however, it was ugly. At second base, India was good for -10 defensive runs saved (DRS) and one out above average (OAA). He last played third base in 2019 at the Double-A level so there’s a chance the Royals could test those waters again. The largest draw for India isn’t defense or power, however. It is contact ability.
India finished 2024 ranked in the 98th percentile for chase rate. He was also 80th percentile or better in walk rate, whiff rate, xBA, xwOBA, and LA Sweet-Spot %. Baseball Savant grades India’s range well but gives him a very below-average arm (perhaps throwing some cold water on the third base idea). India’s zone contact rate is good, if not quite elite. He finished last season at 88.5%. That contact rate with low whiff rates makes him a solid leadoff option. If anything, India is a safe bet to provide good plate appearances and put the ball in play. He’s not too different from Michael Massey in that regard and the two players strike me as similar at the plate.
As far as the trade is considered, a rare one-for-one deal seems likely if these talks materialize into anything real. Singer and India offer similar control and value. With the Reds in search of more pitching and the Royals in search of more offensive contributors, the two teams could be a perfect match for a trade this winter. It’s important to note that Rosenthal stated a trade was not close on Saturday.
