Kris Bubic DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Kris Bubic was fantastic in his first start of the season, striking out eight Brewers without giving up a run in the Royals' 11-1 win. The outing was great to see for the 27-year-old, who has spent most of the past two seasons in Kansas City's bullpen. It also was a great turnaround after a subpar Spring Training in which Bubic threw for a 5.40 ERA. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Monday's outing to be the norm for Bubic going forward as ATC projections expect him to throw for a 4.16 ERA. However, there are worse options fantasy managers could find on the waiver wire. If he's available on the waiver wire then fantasy managers should pick him up if space is available. His next scheduled start is Sunday against the Baltimore Orioles, most certainly a tougher test than the Milwaukee Brewers.

Kansas City Royals pitcher Kris Bubic had a solid final spring start in Tuesday's 3-1 win against the Rangers. Bubic pitched five innings, allowing one run on five hits and a walk with eight strikeouts on 81 pitches. The 27-year-old had an excellent 2024 season out of the bullpen and earned the fifth rotation spot for the Royals this spring, going 2-1 with a 5.40 ERA, a 1.38 WHIP, and 25 strikeouts in 21 2/3 IP. The spring statline doesn't instill a ton of confidence, but Bubic did have some fantasy appeal as a prospect several seasons ago and showed his skills last season. He may be worth keeping an eye on for fantasy managers in deep leagues to start the season. He will also be eligible as a relief pitcher, giving him some added appeal in points leagues.

MLB.com's Anne Rogers writes that it appears to be shaping up as though Kansas City Royals left-hander Kris Bubic will earn the final rotation spot out of spring training behind Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha and Michael Lorenzen. It means that Daniel Lynch could open the 2025 season out of the bullpen or as a starter at Triple-A Omaha. But the fact that Lynch has come out of the bullpen in Cactus League games this week gives insight to where the Royals might be leaning. Bubic has had a strong spring and most recently struck out five in 3 1/3 scoreless innings against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians on Saturday. He emerged as a high-leverage reliever late last year after having Tommy John surgery in 2023. His workload will surely be managed, but if he can transfer any of his strikeout stuff from last year to the rotation, he'll be useful in deep-mixed and AL-only affairs.