Royals Bring Finnegan Back to the Bigs

It appears that the Kansas City Royals 2014 first round draft pick, Brandon Finnegan, is heading back to the bigs.

It’s a curious move by the Royals, who were intent on converting Finnegan back to a starter after last season’s impressive rookie debut out of the bullpen. Finnegan of course, was the first player to appear in the College World Series, be drafted, and get called up to appear in the Major League World Series in the same season. He did it behind an impressive 1.29 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP and a 12.9 strikeout/9 ratio. 

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The 22-year old lefty has not gotten out to the start he would like as a starter for Double-A Northwest Arkansas. His first start was not pretty, as he allowed 5 hits and two walks over three innings while 7 runs crossed, albeit three were earned. He bounced back in his second start, hurling 4 one hit, shutout innings, but walked three.

Part of Finnegan’s claim to fame was his control. Last season as a rookie in the big leagues, he walked a mere one batter. This season as a starter in Triple-A, he has walked 5 over 7 innings. That has to be a source of concern for the Royals.

Still, Finnegan got the call after a mere two starts, and appears to be taking his rifle of an arm back to the bullpen. It is likely that Edinson Volquez will be suspended after Thursday night’s fracas with the White Sox, and Yordano Ventura may see disciplinary action as well, getting kicked out of his second straight game. Neither’s absence will propel Finnegan into the starting rotation, as veteran Chris Young awaits in the bullpen to step into a starter’s role.

It is still peculiar. If the Royals were so committed to making Finnegan a starter, why have they called him backup for the bullpen before the end of baseball’s first calendar month? Louis Coleman has been lights out at Triple-A Omaha, posting a 0.00 ERA, 0.58 WHIP, .071 batting average against, and a 2-0 record in his first 8.2 innings out of the bullpen. Plus, he was up for the Royals last season on their miracle turnaround season. 

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The Royals also have Joe Blanton in Omaha, who is out to a decent start in 2015. He has earned a decision in all three starts, sitting at 2-1, with a 3.24 ERA and a 13:5 strikeout to walk ratio. If now isn’t the time to call up the 34-year old veteran, when is?

There is no disputing that Finnegan has the goods to succeed in the big leagues, but what does this call-up foretell? Are the Royals giving up on Finnegan as a starter? If they do want to see Finnegan succeed as a starter, then that is what he has to do. All season long, not yo-yoing between the big leagues and minors in two different roles nonetheless. It is time for the Royals to decide the future that Finnegan holds, and stick to the plan.