The Omaha Storm Chasers are in a position to have a significantly better starting rotation than they were able to piece together last season. The trickle-down effect of more talent at the big-league level will allow Omaha to reap the benefits of a more consistent and effective group of pitchers. The Storm Chasers’ starters had a below-average ERA of 5.18 last season, finishing 12th out of 20 teams in the International League. Below I project the starting rotation, including how I expect the order to play out.
1. Daniel Lynch IV
Lynch is a very familiar name amongst Royals fans, having spent ample time in the big leagues thus far in his relatively short career. The 27-year-old lefty has not found his footing quite yet at the big-league level, pitching to a 5.18 ERA in 252 innings. He has had stretches in all three of his big-league seasons where one can see what the Royals see in him, but injuries and inconsistency have kept him from guaranteeing a spot in Kansas City.
Many have argued that he should be the fifth starter in the Royals’ rotation to start this season, but the Royals have been pretty clear that they expect Jordan Lyles to keep that spot. However, if Lyles were to struggle out of the gate this season, Lynch could quickly find his way to Kansas City. There is a chance that he would begin the season in the Royals’ bullpen, but with Angel Zerpa out of minor league options, I think Zerpa will get the nod in long relief over Lynch. This appears to be a make-or-break season for Lynch, so I expect to see him in Kansas City by mid-season so the team can see if there is any noticeable progress in year four.
2. Alec Marsh
Marsh was given plenty of opportunities in Kansas City last season after being promoted on June 30th. The results were mostly underwhelming, with a 5.69 ERA in 74.1 innings. While his walk rate has not been ideal (4.7 BB/9), his strikeout rate has been more than adequate (10.3 K/9). With multiple additions to the major league bullpen this off-season, I expect the Royals to take a look at Marsh as a full-time starter again in Omaha where he was dominant in 15 innings last season.
3. Anthony Veneziano
Veneziano had a very solid 2023 season between NW Arkansas, Omaha, and Kansas City. He spent most of his season in Omaha, where he recorded a 4.22 ERA over 89.2 innings. He showed enough consistency last year to deserve another look in Kansas City this season. His two innings in the big leagues last year came out of the bullpen, and I expect that to be the case again if he gets the call-up to Kansas City.
4. Andrew Hoffmann
Hoffmann pitched the final month of last season in Omaha, where he slightly improved his numbers from Northwest Arkansas. He will need to continue improving his command, as well as his 5.45 ERA in 38 innings if he wants to get an opportunity in Kansas City this season. He just turned 24 this month, so there is no need for the organization to rush his development.
5. Chandler Champlain
Champlain did not get a chance to pitch for the Storm Chasers last season but will have an early chance this season to prove himself as a non-roster invitee to spring training. He took advantage of every opportunity this past season, boasting a 3.33 ERA between Quad Cities and NW Arkansas. He also maintained a very solid 2.9 K/BB ratio. His improvement from 2022 to 2023 was staggering, and he looks to build on that improvement in 2024. Having Hoffmann and Champlain as back-end starters significantly raises the floor of the Omaha starting rotation.
Just missed: Jonathan Bowlan
*Kris Bubic and Austin Cox will likely mix in once they recover from injury.