Brady Singer is a young starting pitcher for the Kansas City Royals. He was drafted in the first round of the 2018 MLB draft, and he made his debut with the Royals in 2020.
Singer showed a lot of promise in his rookie season and was expected to be a key part of the Royals’ starting rotation in 2023. However, Singer has struggled in the early part of the season, raising questions about his future with the team.
In this article, we will analyze Singer’s background and career, evaluate his performance in the 2023 season, and discuss whether he is best suited as a starting pitcher or a relief pitcher.
Brady Singer’s Background and Career
Brady Singer played college baseball at the University of Florida, where he was one of the top pitchers in the country. He helped lead the Gators to a College World Series championship in 2017 and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.
That year, he had a 9-5 record with a 3.21 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 126 innings pitched.
In 2018, Singer was selected by the Kansas City Royals with the 18th overall pick in the MLB draft. He signed with the team and was assigned to the Class A Advanced Wilmington Blue Rocks, where he made 9 starts and recorded a 12.8 K/9 rate.
In 2019, Singer began the season with the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals and was promoted to the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers later in the year.
Overall, he made 26 starts and pitched to a 2.85 ERA with 138 strikeouts in 148 innings pitched.
Singer made his major league debut with the Royals in 2020 and was one of the team’s most consistent pitchers throughout the season. He made 12 starts and pitched to a 4-5 record with a 4.06 ERA, 61 strikeouts, and only 19 walks in 64.1 innings pitched.
Singer showed an ability to induce ground balls with a 49.2% ground ball rate, which was among the best in the league.
Singer’s strengths as a pitcher include his advanced command and control, his ability to generate ground balls, and his impressive fastball-slider combination.
His fastball sits in the low-to-mid 90s, and he complements it with a sharp-breaking slider that generates a lot of swings and misses. Additionally, Singer has shown an ability to limit walks and keep the ball in the park, making him an effective and efficient pitcher when he is on his game.
Singer’s 2023 Season Performance
In the early part of the 2023 season, Singer has struggled on the mound for the Kansas City Royals. Through six starts, he has an 8.49 ERA with 28 strikeouts and 16 walks in 22.2 innings pitched.
He has allowed 30 hits, including five home runs.
One of the biggest issues for Singer this season has been his lack of control. He is currently walking batters at a rate of 6.4 BB/9, which is significantly higher than his career average of 2.9 BB/9.
This has led to more runners on base and more opportunities for opposing teams to score.
Another issue for Singer has been his inconsistency with his breaking pitches, particularly his slider. He has struggled to consistently locate the pitch, resulting in more hittable offerings and fewer swings and misses.
This has led to more hard contact against him and more home runs allowed.
Possible factors contributing to Singer’s struggles this season could include injuries or mechanical issues. It’s possible that he is dealing with an injury that is affecting his command or his ability to generate spin on his breaking pitches.
Alternatively, he may be experiencing some mechanical issues that are impacting his delivery and release point, leading to more inconsistent performances on the mound.
Despite his struggles this season, Singer’s talent and potential as a starting pitcher make him an important part of the Royals’ rotation for the future.
If he can work through his current issues and return to form, he has the ability to be a top-of-the-rotation starter for the team.
Factors Indicating Singer as a Starting Pitcher
Brady Singer’s past success as a starting pitcher in college and the minor leagues are strong indicators that he has the ability to be a successful starting pitcher in the major leagues.
He was one of the best pitchers in the country during his time at the University of Florida, helping lead the team to a College World Series championship in 2017.
In his minor league career, he consistently posted strong numbers and showed an ability to miss bats while limiting walks and home runs.
In his rookie season in 2020, Singer showed that he could handle the rigors of starting pitching in the major leagues. He made 12 starts and pitched to a 4.06 ERA with 61 strikeouts and only 19 walks in 64.1 innings pitched.
His advanced command and ability to generate ground balls were on full display, as he induced a 49.2% ground ball rate and only allowed 0.8 home runs per nine innings pitched.
Singer’s potential as a long-term rotation option for the Royals is significant. He has a strong repertoire of pitches and has shown the ability to keep hitters off balance with his fastball-slider combination.
He also has a good feel for pitching and understands how to attack hitters and make adjustments during games. Additionally, Singer is still young and has plenty of time to continue developing and improving as a starting pitcher.
If Singer can work through his current struggles and regain his form from 2020, there is no reason to believe that he cannot be a reliable starting pitcher for the Royals for many years to come.
His combination of talent, potential, and past success make him a valuable asset to the team’s starting rotation.
Factors Indicating Singer as a Relief Pitcher
While Brady Singer has had success as a starting pitcher in the major leagues, his performance in relief appearances also suggests that he could be a strong option as a bullpen arm.
In 2020, Singer made two relief appearances for the Royals and pitched three scoreless innings with two strikeouts and no walks. He was able to use his fastball-slider combination to keep hitters off balance and generate weak contact.
There are potential benefits to transitioning Singer to a relief role, including a reduced workload and increased velocity. As a starter, Singer may be required to throw more pitches and innings, which can be taxing on his arm and lead to fatigue or injury.
In a relief role, he would be able to focus on pitching in shorter stints and potentially unleash more velocity on his pitches due to not having to pace himself over multiple innings.
Another potential benefit is that Singer could add a dynamic arm to the Royals’ bullpen. His combination of pitch repertoire, command, and feel for pitching would make him a valuable asset in high-leverage situations.
Additionally, with a solid starting rotation already in place, the Royals may benefit from having Singer come out of the bullpen to solidify the backend of the pitching staff.
Of course, if Singer were to become a reliever, there would be potential impact on the Royals’ bullpen as well. While Singer could be a valuable addition to the bullpen, it would also mean that the team would need to find another starting pitcher to fill the gap in the rotation.
Additionally, Singer’s transition to a relief role could mean less experience and depth for the starting rotation, which could have a negative impact on the team’s overall pitching performance.
Ultimately, whether Singer is best suited as a starting pitcher or a relief pitcher will depend on a variety of factors, including his current performance, his future potential, and the needs of the Royals’ pitching staff.
The team will need to carefully evaluate these factors and make the best decision for the team’s long-term success.
Brady Singer’s Pitching Stats Comparison (2020 vs. 2023)
| Statistic | 2020 Season | 2023 Season |
|---|---|---|
| Games Started | 12 | 6 |
| Innings Pitched | 64.1 | 22.2 |
| ERA | 4.06 | 8.49 |
| Strikeouts | 61 | 28 |
| Walks | 19 | 16 |
| Home Runs Allowed | 6 | 5 |
This table provides a quick comparison of some key pitching statistics for Brady Singer in the 2020 and 2023 seasons. The comparison shows that Singer has started fewer games and pitched fewer innings in 2023, while his ERA has increased significantly and his strikeouts and walks have both decreased.
Additionally, he has allowed more home runs in 2023 compared to 2020. This table could be useful for analyzing Singer’s performance and identifying areas of improvement for him moving forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Brady Singer’s pitch repertoire?
Brady Singer’s pitch repertoire includes a four-seam fastball, a slider, and a changeup. His fastball sits in the low-to-mid 90s, while his slider is his most effective secondary pitch.
Has Singer ever pitched in relief before?
Yes, Singer has made two relief appearances for the Royals in his career. Both appearances came in 2020, and he pitched three scoreless innings with two strikeouts and no walks.
How has Singer performed against left-handed hitters?
In his career, Singer has been more effective against right-handed hitters than left-handed hitters. Lefties have hit .291 against him, compared to .232 for righties. This may be a factor in determining whether he is best suited as a starting pitcher or a reliever.
Is Singer known for his control and command?
Yes, Singer is known for his advanced command and control on the mound. He has a career walk rate of 2.9 BB/9, which is considered to be above average for a pitcher.
What is Singer’s injury history?
Singer has not had any major injuries during his professional career. However, he did miss some time during the 2022 season due to shoulder inflammation.
To Recap
Brady Singer is a young and talented starting pitcher for the Kansas City Royals. While he has struggled in the early part of the 2023 season, his past success as a starting pitcher in college, the minor leagues, and the major leagues are strong indicators that he has the ability to be a successful starting pitcher for the Royals in the future.
His advanced command, ability to generate ground balls, and solid pitch repertoire make him a valuable asset to the team’s rotation.
At the same time, Singer’s performance in relief appearances also suggests that he could be a strong option as a bullpen arm. Transitioning him to a relief role could offer potential benefits such as a reduced workload, increased velocity, and the addition of a dynamic arm to the bullpen.
Ultimately, whether Singer is best suited as a starting pitcher or a relief pitcher will depend on a variety of factors. The Royals will need to carefully evaluate his performance, potential, and the needs of the team’s pitching staff to determine the best role for him moving forward.
Regardless of his role, Singer’s talent and potential make him an important part of the Royals’ pitching staff for the foreseeable future.
