Daniel Lynch IV shines in latest audition for roster spot with Kansas City Royals

Kansas City Royals pitcher Daniel Lynch IV has logged a lot of innings this offseason.

Lynch, 27, spent time in the Arizona Fall League. He made five starts with Leones del Escogido in the Dominican Winter League. Each stop served a purpose: Lynch needed playing time after being sidelined with a left shoulder strain last July.

“There’s all these different variables and all these different things that happened,” Lynch said. “I still was able to go out and compete and pitch well. I just think it gives you a little bit more confidence.”

Lynch has pitched well this spring. He sports a 2.77 ERA across 13 innings and has held opponents to a .196 batting average.

On Wednesday, Lynch pitched four scoreless innings against the Los Angeles Angels. He allowed two hits and struck out five of the 14 batters he faced.

“I felt really good,” Lynch said. “I felt like the ball has come out better every time the last three starts. It’s continued to grow. I mixed really well and my curveball felt great. I was really happy with that. The only thing I wasn’t happy with was I felt like I lost some fastballs up. They were just uncompetitive as my arm kind of got stuck behind. But I felt like I was ahead of guys and kept momentum going.”

Lynch, who is sporting No. 41 this year, is one of several Royals aiming to earn a roster spot. This offseason, the Royals added veteran pitchers Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha to the starting rotation. They will join Cole Ragans and Brady Singer there this season.

The revamped starting rotation has one spot available. Lynch is among a short list of pitchers in contention for the final spot. The group includes Jordan Lyles, Alec Marsh and Angel Zerpa among others.

Lynch understands his predicament. However, he is focused on preparing for whichever role he is called upon.

“I see myself as a starter,” Lynch said. “I think my stuff is sort of starter stuff and I think I can be good as a starter. But at the end of the day, it’s not about me. It’s about the team and whatever is best for the team.”

Lynch is 11-23 with a 5.18 ERA in 51 career starts. He has remained a starter since making his Major League Baseball debut in 2021.

Still, Lynch is open to change. He has no issue working out of the bullpen to help the Royals win games. It could be an avenue if the Royals decide keep him on the final 26-man roster.

This spring, Lynch has pitched in five games and made three starts. He credits his busy offseason for helping him pitch in different situational roles.

“I don’t always have to have the perfect routine and structure,” Lynch said, “... as long as I believe that once I step out there and have the ball, I can execute and get guys out. And that was a huge step forward for me.”

The Royals plan to continue evaluating the starting rotation. Royals manager Matt Quatraro felt Lynch pitched well against the Angels on Wednesday. Quatraro thinks the competition for the final rotation spot has generated strong performances on the mound.

“You are seeing a lot of guys put their best foot forward,” Quatraro said.

The Royals’ final Cactus League game will be on March 23 against the Texas Rangers. Lynch, who started the first spring exhibition, hopes to building upon his starts and put his best effort forward down the stretch.

“I think the best thing you can do is worry about going out and pitching,” Lynch said. “You really can’t control any of that (making the roster). It kind of takes away from your confidence and your focus on just going out there and pitching. At the end of the day, that’s what is going to get you on the team. What is going to help the team, and what the team values, is you going out there to pitch and get good results.”