Royals’ Kris Bubic is having career year. Monday’s start will be special for him
When the Kansas City Royals land in San Francisco, they will have an in-house tour guide available.
Kris Bubic, who is a Bay-area native, will know all the trendy spots from Fisherman’s Wharf to Union Square and beyond. Bubic made childhood memories at Oracle Park watching San Francisco Giants alumni such as Barry Bonds and Tim Lincecum.
It won’t be his first time pitching at the venue. Bubic has pitched there twice before in his MLB career, but on Monday, he will enter his start as a completely different pitcher.
This time, Bubic is a seasoned veteran with a resurgent story.
One that began with an unfortunate injury yet is unfolding toward an All-Star finale.
“It’s always fun to pitch in front of family and friends in a park I grew up going to,” Bubic said. “It’s exciting to go back there. Weather is going to be nice as I pitch there Monday. I think it’s going to be the third time pitching there and we don’t go there that often. So it will be pretty cool.”
Bubic produced one of his best MLB starts on April 9, 2023, against the Giants. He allowed two hits in six shutout innings and registered nine strikeouts. Throughout the game, Bubic was in full control.
It was a memorable night for him. His family was in attendance as he lived out his dream pitching against his childhood team.
Unfortunately, it was noteworthy in other ways. During the game, Bubic began feeling discomfort with his left elbow. He made his next start at Kauffman Stadium against the Atlanta Braves but then was shut down due to injury.
Bubic needed Tommy John surgery. He went on to miss the remainder of the 2023 season and most of 2024.
Admittedly, it was a gut punch for him.
“If you are going to finish and get a surgery, that’s kind of the way I would want to finish,” Bubic said of the start in San Francisco. “It was a good blueprint and a good road map to kind of study. So when we did get back, you know, we could just kind of pick up where we left off.”
The injury also offered perspective. Bubic was able to use the time away to get healthy and hone his skills. He still regularly reviews the game footage from that day.
Typically, Bubic will study the different pitch grips and cross-reference how his pitching arsenal was performing during the start.
“I think having an outing like that really set the table for what this season has been like and what last season looked like,” Bubic said. “Just being able to do that kind of showed me that I can beat guys in the zone and the stuff plays. So that was a really good indicator of that at the time.”
The Royals have enjoyed watching Bubic start every fifth day. He owns a 4-2 record with a 1.66 ERA in nine starts this season. Bubic has six quality starts and ranks among the AL’s best pitchers in several categories.
“He’s spoiled us,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said recently. “I mean, he’s throwing the ball exceptionally well all year.”
Bubic ranks fifth in the majors in earned run average. He also was named the Royals pitcher of the month for March/April. His current stretch could garner All-Star consideration as the calendar approaches June.
On Monday, Bubic expects to pitch in front of his family again. His mom, aunt, grandparents and high school coach will be there. A few high school friends will be there, as well as some other immediate family in the area.
Bubic grew up in Cupertino, California, which is just an hour south of Oracle Park. For years, Bubic watched as the Giants made lifelong memories. Now, he gets a chance to create his own once in a place he has always loved.
“It’s special,” Bubic said. “It may be biased or unbiased, but I think it’s the nicest stadium in the big leagues with just how scenic it is. The park has been there for about 25 years now. So just growing up and going there, I have sat in just about every area of the ballpark.”
This story was originally published May 19, 2025 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Royals’ Kris Bubic is having career year. Monday’s start will be special for him."
