No pitcher on the Royals’ staff needs a bounce-back season more than Brady Singer.
Known for throwing a sinker and slider, for years the right-hander heard all about how he needed to add a third pitch to his arsenal. In fact, from 2020-23, only 7 percent of Singer’s pitches were something other than a sinker or slider. Last year Singer added a changeup and a sweeper at times, but the results weren’t there as he went 8-11 with a 5.52 ERA.
But this year Singer has added a four-seam fastball, and he is reaping the rewards. Through two starts, Singer has thrown the four-seamer 18 percent of the time. And while he’s still predominantly sinker-slider, he has allowed just one earned run in 13.1 innings, good for a 0.68 ERA.
“The pitches are working really well,” Singer said. “I have a lot of confidence in them right now, and we’re able to throw some different pitches as well. Two different fastballs has really helped me out, kind of changing things, and where I’m putting them and my confidence is high.”
After pitching seven shutout innings and striking out 10 in his first start against the Twins, Singer followed that up last week against the White Sox, giving up one run on two hits in 6 1/3 innings. He struck out four and walked one and recorded 12 groundball outs.
“Looked like he mixed the four- and two-seamer well,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “He got some balls up when he wanted to and was able to sink the ball. And he got a ton of groundballs, and we played good defense behind him.”
Singer breezed through the White Sox lineup and had three innings where he threw eight pitches or fewer.
“I think that goes back to the command and putting balls where I want it,” Singer said. “I was hoping for groundballs and got them there. And the defense was incredible. We have a heck of an infield, and I trust them with everything I’ve got. So it’s good to have groundballs, and they make plays all day long. So it’s easy with them behind me.”
Last season, nothing came easy for the Royals. They didn’t record their sixth win until late April. But now thanks to Singer — and a revamped starting rotation — the Royals are off to a 6-4 start and have won four in a row.
Next up they’ll take on the Houston Astros in a three-game series beginning at 6:40 p.m. Tuesday at Kauffman Stadium. Cole Ragans and Seth Lugo will start the first two games for the Royals, and Singer will start the finale.
“I love this group of guys,” Singer said. “It’s really fun. It’s a great team. There’s a lot of energy. These guys are incredible. We’re going to fight each game and we’re going to win a lot and we’re going to lose some, too. But the fight is the biggest thing.”
