The 2025 Royals Rotation Was A Strength; Let's Examine Its Depth In 2026

Last season, the Kansas City Royals’ pitching staff was one of the better groups of arms in all of Major League Baseball, finishing sixth in earned run average while allowing the 12th fewest hits and eighth fewest home runs in the league. The Royals return a large portion of the arms in 2026. Here is a look at starting rotation options for the Royals for the upcoming 2026 season. 

Cole Ragans

The Royals' ace was limited to only 13 starts in 2025 after dealing with two separate stints on the injured list. The left-hander missed just under three weeks with a left groin strain before returning for one start on June 5th, in which Ragans would last only three innings before leaving with shoulder discomfort. The former first-round pick was diagnosed with a left shoulder strain, holding Ragans out of action until Sept. 17. 

Even when healthy, Ragans struggled to find the form the all-star from 2024 showcased, pitching to a 3-3 record, 4.67 ERA, and 1.18 WHIP over 61 2/3 innings. The area where Ragans was still elite was the strikeout category, fanning 98 batters over those 62 1/3 innings. The 14.3 K/9 innings led all Royals starters. 

If Ragans can stay healthy and return to the 2024 season form, where Ragans went 11-9 with a 3.14 ERA and 1.14 WHIP, he gives the Royals a dominant force at the top of the team’s rotation. In 2024, Ragans held opposing hitters to a .213 average as opposed to .228 in 2025. In 2024, Ragans finished fourth in American League Cy Young voting.

Seth Lugo

Lugo was extended in July of 2025, to remain with the Royals on a two-year $46 million contract through the 2027 season. Through 26 starts, Lugo went 8-7 with a 4.15 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. Lugo, like Ragans, spent two separate trips on the injured list in 2025, missing two weeks with a right finger strain in May, then heading to the IL again on Sept. 4, with a lower back strain, a move that would end the right-hander’s season. 

The now 36-year-old finished runner-up to Tarik Skubal in AL Cy Young voting in 2024, a season that saw Lugo go 16-9, post a 3.00 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. During the 2024 campaign, Lugo made 33 starts, tied for the most in MLB. 

A healthy Ragans and Lugo give the Royals two different looks at the top of the team’s rotation, while providing them with a chance to win on any given day. 

Michael Wacha 

Signed to a three-year extension in November of 2024, Wacha has been durable over the right-handers’ first two seasons with the Royals. Wacha has made 29 and 31 starts, accumulating 166 2/3 and 172 2/3 innings for the team. 

Over 31 starts last year, Wacha pitched to a 10-13 record, 3.86 ERA, and 1.22 WHIP, similar to 2024, where the now 34-year-old went 13-8 with a 3.35 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. In year one with the Royals, Wacha allowed 17 home runs, followed by 15 last season. 

Wacha led the Royals rotation in 2025 with 13 quality starts. If Wacha can continue to provide around 30 starts, an ERA under 4.00, and a WHIP close to 1.20, that will give the Royals many quality innings through the middle of the rotation. 

Noah Cameron 

Cameron put together a very strong rookie year for the Royals, pitching in 24 games, posting a 9-7 record, 2.99 ERA, 1.10 WHIP over 138 1/3 innings, while holding opposing batters to a .214 batting average against. For his efforts during the 2025 season, Cameron finished fourth in AL Rookie of the Year voting, trailing only Nick Kurtz, Jacob Wilson, and Roman Anthony. 

The 26-year-old comes into 2026 with a spot in the rotation and higher expectations as the former Royals seventh-round selection in 2021 looks to build on what was an incredible rookie season. 

Over the 24 starts, Cameron posted 10 quality starts, so continuing to work deeper into games will be on the watch in year two for the left-hander starter. 

Kris Bubic 

2025 was a breakout year for Bubic, posting a record of 8-7, 2.55 ERA, and 1.18 WHIP over 20 starts after spending 2024 as a reliever. Unfortunately for Bubic, the season ended in July after suffering a left rotator cuff strain, which would ultimately require surgery, ending the left-hander’s season. 

Bubic is expected to be ready for the 2026 season after beginning a throwing program late in 2025. Bubic only appeared in three games in 2023 after recovering from Tommy John surgery, so this is a pitcher who has struggled to remain healthy throughout his six-year career. 

In Bubic’s 20 starts in 2025, 11 of them were quality starts, while also posting nine strikeouts per nine innings, giving the Royals strong swing and miss ability when healthy last season. 

Ryan Bergert 

Acquired in July from the San Diego Padres as part of the return for Freddy Fermin, Bergert gives the Royals a strong depth arm in case of injury. In 19 appearances last season, Bergert pitched to a 2-2 record, 3.66 ERA, and 1.26 WHIP over 76 1/3 innings. 

After the trade, Bergert made eight starts for the Royals, totalling 40 2/3 innings, a 1-2 record, 4.43 ERA, and 1.33 WHIP. The 25-year-old will look to build off what was a nice rookie year in 2025. 

Stephen Kolek 

Also acquired from the Padres in July, Kolek turned in his best numbers when the former 11th-round selection in 2018 became a Royal. In five starts, Kolek went 1-2, with a 1.91 ERA and 0.68 WHIP over 33 innings. 

All five of Kolek’s starts were of the quality variety, and the 28-year-old held opposing hitters to a .168 average after the trade. For the year, Kolek pitched to a 5-7 record, 3.51 ERA, and 1.14 WHIP. In today’s day and age of baseball, having these quality depth rotation options is huge for a Royals team looking to return to the postseason.