The Kansas City Royals kicked off their 2026 campaign on the road against the Atlanta Braves, facing a tough series where they dropped two out of three games. The second loss was particularly painful, a 6-2 defeat that unraveled in the final inning.
As the Royals headed into the ninth with a 2-0 lead, they called on their high-priced closer, Carlos Estevez, who’s earning a hefty $22 million. Unfortunately, Estevez struggled mightily, surrendering six runs, capped by a walk-off grand slam from Dominic Smith.
This outing has sparked concern among Royals fans and analysts alike, with ESPN's David Schoenfield highlighting Estevez as a potential worry for the team. Despite notching 42 saves last season, Estevez's performance in this game was far from reassuring.
The alarm bells started ringing during Spring Training, where Estevez's velocity took a noticeable dip. His fastball, which averaged 95.9 mph last year, was down to just 91.2 mph against the Braves. That drop is significant, especially for a closer who thrives on overpowering hitters.
If Estevez can't regain his velocity, the Royals might find themselves in a bind with a closer who isn’t delivering as expected. This is a crucial issue since a drop of over four mph can drastically affect a pitcher's effectiveness, particularly in high-leverage situations.
The Royals do have potential alternatives in Lucas Erceg, Matt Strahm, or John Schreiber, who could step up if Estevez continues to falter. Keeping an eye on these options will be key as the season unfolds.
With a concerning 4.7 mph velocity decrease, an astronomical 162.00 ERA from this outing, and his substantial contract, Estevez's situation is one the Royals can't afford to ignore. The team will need him to bounce back quickly to stabilize their bullpen and maintain their competitiveness this season.