Can Stephen Kolek be part of 2026 Royals’ rotation? He’s made a compelling case
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Stephen Kolek posted a 1.83 ERA since joining Royals, earning rotation buzz.
- Kansas City plans 2026 rotation around Ragans, Lugo, Wacha and likely Cameron.
- Fifth rotation spot remains open, with Kolek competing against Bubic and others.
The Kansas City Royals will reflect on the 2025 season in a few short weeks.
There will be a lot of highlight moments. Salvador Perez hit his 300th career home run and four KC players made the All-Star Game. Additionally, younger guys — such as rookies Carter Jensen and Jac Caglianone — made their Major League Baseball debuts.
Barring a late surge, the Royals will likely miss the playoffs this year. The 2025 season will no doubt be viewed as a big disappointment, given their magical run in 2024.
Injuries and natural regression have hindered this year’s Royals. And a lackluster offense certainly hasn’t helped matters. But can hang their hats on a few things, including their depth of quality starting pitching.
On Thursday, the Royals right-hander Stephen Kolek was dominant in a 2-0 loss to Seattle at Kauffman Stadium. He allowed two runs (one earned) against a red-hot Mariners lineup, striking out a career-best eight and walking just one in 7 1/3 innings.
“It was a good outing,” Kolek said. “Any time you can get into the eighth inning and give your team a chance to win is a good one.”
Kolek, who arrived from the San Diego Padres at the trade deadline, continues to impress and make his case for a spot in next season’s starting rotation.
The Royals will have a lot of options for building out their rotation in 2026. Three spots will go to Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha — the trio signed long-term extensions and is the core of the starting staff.
Rookie Noah Cameron is likely to have a spot, too. The St. Joseph, Missouri product is among the favorites to receive American League Rookie of the Year votes.
That leaves a final spot up for grabs between Ryan Bergert, Kris Bubic, Alec Marsh and Kolek, among others.
Bubic was an All-Star this year. He looked like a Cy Young candidate before suffering a left-rotator cuff strain that ended his season. Expect Bubic to be ready for spring training and reclaim a spot among the starting five.
However, the Royals have options. Kolek and Bergert have provided valuable depth that can be used to improve the team in other areas.
“Hopefully, it’s a good kind of runway into next year, even,” Kolek said. “And this year is still going. But at least we get another one and we’re going to fight to the end. For now, it’s focus on today and tomorrow, we will worry about tomorrow. As the future goes on, we will worry about that whenever it comes.”
Kolek continues to look the part of a standout starting pitcher. He demonstrated poise in navigating a Mariners lineup that includes AL MVP hopeful Cal Raleigh and emerging superstar Julio Rodriguez.
Prior to Thursday’s start, Kolek had posted a 1.83 ERA since joining the Royals. He lowered those numbers with a statement performance against Seattle.
“I think I can’t reiterate enough how excited we were to get both he and Bergert,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. We all know how much Freddy (Fermin) meant to us as a team and to this organization. But to get two quality starting pitchers that are young and have a lot of control left is really exciting for us.”
The future is bright for baseball in Kansas City, and Kolek is doing everything he can to force the Royals’ hand and make KC include him on the opening day roster for 2026.
“He continues to make a great impression and give us a chance to win every time he has taken the ball,” Quatraro said.
Royals’ offense silent again
The Royals had a tough time against Mariners starter Luis Castillo on Thursday. The veteran right-hander limited the Royals to three hits in six innings.
There were a bunch of early swings and Castillo navigated the KC lineup with relative ease aside from the second inning. KC stranded two baserunners after Salvador Perez and Adam Frazier got aboard with singles: Castillo retired talented rookies Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen to avoid trouble.
“He’s been one of the best pitchers in the game for a long time,” Quatraro said. “His arm angle and release, pitching at the top of the (strike) zone with a plus fastball, it’s hard to get on top of it. So, I mean, that was it in a nutshell.”
From there, the Royals were shut down the rest of the way. Kolek did his best to keep the game close, but the Mariners broke through again in the eighth inning. After Seattle successfully challenged whether KC second baseman Michael Massey lined up on the outfield grass, the Mariners were awarded a baserunner.
Dominic Canzone, who initially grounded out, was the runner at first base after the shift violation. This led Quatraro to go to his bullpen.
“You are certainly aware and, at least a couple times a game, you are checking your heels there,” Massey said. “I had been playing there for quite a bit of time. This is the first time that it’s happened. So I don’t think that was the intent of the rule, but it’s an imperfect game played by imperfect people and played under an imperfect rule system, so you are going to get some imperfect results and that’s just part of it.”
Kolek departed in the eighth and left-hander Daniel Lynch IV came on to pitch. Lynch allowed an RBI double to Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford and Canzone scored to make it 2-0.
The Royals failed to generate a late comeback and dropped the series finale at home. At 76-77, they must win six of their final nine games to finish the 2025 season with a winning record.
Royals hit with key injuries
The Royals placed Bergert and Kyle Isbel on the injured before Thursday afternoon’s game.
Isbel is dealing with a left-hamstring strain. He pulled up limping as he ran down the first-base line in Wednesday’s game. He was placed on the 10-day injured list and John Rave was recalled from Triple-A Omaha.
Bergert is dealing with a right-elbow strain. He felt discomfort during his bullpen session Wednesday and was replaced for his next start. The Royals will start right-handed veteran Michael Lorenzen in Bergert’s place on Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays.
What’s next: The Royals begin a three-game home series against the Blue Jays at Kauffman Stadium. Lorenzen (5-11, 4.91 ERA) will start after pitching one inning of relief against Seattle on Wednesday. The Blue Jays have not named a starter.
This story was originally published September 18, 2025 at 3:38 PM with the headline "Can Stephen Kolek be part of 2026 Royals’ rotation? He’s made a compelling case."
