/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63224864/1035132420.jpg.0.jpg)
Manager Ned Yost has named Brad Keller his starter for the season opener on March 28 at home against the White Sox. It has been a meteoric rise for the 23-year old Keller who a year ago was fighting to make the roster as a Rule 5 pick from the Diamondbacks. But he impressed many in his rookie campaign, posting a 3.08 ERA and 3.55 FIP in 140 1/3 innings, good enough to be a 3.5 WAR pitcher, according to Baseball Reference. Keller’s opening day assignment was predicted a few weeks ago by catcher Salvador Perez.
“Don’t say anything bro,” Perez said Tuesday to a group of reporters with a wink, “but for me he’s No. 1.”
Danny Duffy was likely the favorite to get the start for the opener, but shoulder stiffness has put him on the shelf and his availability for the start of the season is questionable. Jakob Junis was the other candidate to start on Opening Day with Duffy out, and with Keller getting the start, Junis will likely start the second game.
Yessssirrrrr!!! @brad_keller13 https://t.co/U5X345m5Nf
— Danny Duffy (@Duffman) March 12, 2019
Danny Duffy on Brad Keller getting the Opening Day nod: "He deserves it, man. He's our best pitcher."
— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) March 12, 2019
Here is Brad Keller on going from Rule 5 pick to Opening Day starter @610SportsKC pic.twitter.com/w1r6iFz79C
— Cody Tapp (@codybtapp) March 12, 2019
Keller will be the 26th different pitcher to start the season opener for the Royals.
Royals Opening Day starters:
Wally Bunker 1969-1970
Dick Drago 1971-1972
Steve Busby 1973, 1975
Paul Splittorff 1974, 1976-1977
Dennis Leonard 1978-1980, 1982
Larry Gura 1981, 1983
Bud Black 1984-1986
Danny Jackson 1987
Bret Saberhagen 1988, 1990-1991
Mark Gubicza 1989
Kevin Appier 1992-1997, 1999
Tim Belcher 1998
Jeff Suppan 2000-2002
Runelvys Hernandez 2003
Brian Anderson 2004
Jose Lima 2005
Scott Elarton 2006
Gil Meche 2007-2009
Zack Greinke 2010
Luke Hochevar 2011
Bruce Chen 2012
James Shields 2013-2014
Yordano Ventura 2015
Edinson Volquez 2016
Danny Duffy 2017-2018