The Royals’ starting rotation was one of the best in baseball in 2024, and with Brady Singer being the only departure from the team, they hope to have similar success in 2025. Ragans, Lugo, and Wacha are the headliners of the Royals rotation, and the team hopes those three can put up consistent performances throughout the season. The last two spots will be up for grabs, with the expectation that Lorenzen, Bubic, Marsh, and Cameron will compete to crack the Royals starting 5 in 2025. Spring training will be an interesting early look at the Royals’ rotation, and we can get a sense of the guys who could try to carry the success from 2024 into this season.

Cole Ragans

At the top of the rotation, the Royals have a true ACE with Cole Ragans, who they added at the trade deadline in 2023 in a trade with the Rangers for Aroldis Chapman. Ragans was once a first-round pick for the Rangers but struggled to crack their rotation, but once he made it to Kansas City, he made immediate improvements. Last year Ragans finished fifth in the MLB in strikeouts and was fourth in AL Cy Young voting. He signed a deal locking him in with the Royals over the next three years, and the team hopes he will continue to be one of baseball’s best pitchers over the next few years. 

Seth Lugo

Behind Ragan is Seth Lugo, who the Royals signed last off-season to a 3-year, $45 million deal with an opt-out after the second season. This turned out to be a steal as Lugo finished second in baseball in innings pitched as well as finishing second in AL CY Young voting. Seth Lugo turned 35 in November, and he may take a step back in 2025. Even with a step back, Lugo displays elite command with a massive arsenal of pitches with 10+ offerings, and even if he faces some regression, he very well could be one of the best pitchers in the AL in 2025.

Michael Wacha

As well as signing Seth Lugo last off-season, the Royals also added Michael Wacha, another veteran pitcher they hoped would provide some consistency in the middle of the rotation. Wacha became one of the best young pitchers in baseball when he was called up and came to Kansas City after returning to form in 2022/23. Wacha was inconsistent at the start in Kansas City and faced an early injury, but he had a huge step forward near the end of the season, with his ERA dropping two whole points after May. The Royals extended Wacha this offseason, and they hope he will return to that form in 2025.

Michael Lorenzen

The Royals also traded for Michael Lorenzen at the trade deadline in 2024, and he impressed down the stretch and did enough for the team to re-sign him this offseason. Lorenzen is an experienced pitcher heading into his 10th MLB season and has been relatively successful as a starter over the last several seasons. Lorenzen mixes in 7 quality pitches and uses a variety of fastballs to avoid barrels and force weak contact. Lorenzen does not have elite strikeout numbers, and his velocity has ticked down over the years. But he has good spin and impressive production over the last few seasons, and the Royals hope he can continue his production in 2025.

Kris Bubic

Lastly, the Royals have Kris Bubic, who returned from injury in the bullpen last season and will look to make his return to the rotation in 2025. Bubic was the 40th overall pick for the Royals in 2018 and was one of their top prospects for many seasons. He now returns to the rotation after being away from the rotation for two years, and with the new staff, he has developed his skillset immensely. He has shown new pitches as well as significant improvements to his past offerings, and the team hopes he will find similar success in the Royals rotation as he did out of the bullpen in 2024.

Who else is there???

Depth behind these guys for the Royals will be Alec Marsh, Noah Cameron, Daniel Lynch, and Ross Stripling. Marsh and Lynch may find their way to the bullpen. Cameron is a young top prospect who could work his way into the rotation in case of injury, and Stripling is a veteran who had past success and provides consistent depth. The Royals’ rotation finishes at number one not just because of the stars at the top of their rotation but the depth as well that will keep them consistent and as one of the best units in baseball.