The Kansas City Royals are forging an intriguing connection with the San Diego Padres lately, highlighted by the addition of former All-Star Elias Diaz on a minor-league deal. This budding relationship is further emphasized by several Royals starters who once donned Padres uniforms, creating a fascinating narrative between the two franchises.
One such player is right-handed pitcher Stephen Kolek, who recently took the mound against his former team in a Cactus League matchup. At 28, Kolek delivered a solid performance, allowing just one run on a solo homer over two innings and striking out two. It’s a promising start to his first spring with the Royals, following a strong finish to the 2025 season.
While Kolek might not begin the season in the Royals' starting rotation-thanks to a deep pool of established options-his presence adds valuable depth. It's a safe bet that the Royals will call on him at some point during the 2026 campaign.
Kolek's revamped pitch arsenal is a talking point. Since joining the Royals, his pitch mix has undergone significant changes, demonstrating how a pitcher can evolve over a season. Back in 2024, Kolek was still crafting his identity as a big-league starter, and his pitch usage reflected that ongoing development.
Fast forward to 2025 with the Padres, and Kolek's arsenal continued to evolve. Over 14 starts from May through July, he maintained a respectable 4.18 ERA and 4.42 FIP.
Despite some ups and downs, including a stellar complete game shutout against the Rockies, Kolek proved himself a reliable starter capable of contributing down the stretch. With Kansas City eyeing the postseason, his contributions became even more crucial.
Kolek delivered when it counted. In five starts for the Royals, he posted a 2.00 ERA and strung together four consecutive quality starts in September, earning Royals Pitcher of the Month honors. The transformation was evident, with changes in his pitch mix playing a pivotal role.
Particularly noteworthy was his increased changeup usage, which more than doubled compared to his time with the Padres. The Royals' tweaks helped him locate the pitch with greater intent, earning it an above-average PLV rating of 5.15 during his Kansas City stint, compared to 4.87 with San Diego.
While FanGraphs' Stuff+ might not have been enamored with Kolek, the real story was his command. His Location+ jumped from 98 with the Padres to 108 with the Royals, ranking 17th among MLB pitchers from his Royals debut onward.
As spring training unfolds, the question isn't whether Kolek can replicate his results but whether the Royals version of Kolek is here to stay. His recent Cactus League outing offered a glimpse into the future.
In two innings, Kolek allowed three hits, one walk, and one run while striking out two. His pitch mix was telling, with the four-seam fastball leading the charge and the changeup maintaining its elevated role. This consistency suggests that the September changes might be more than just a temporary adjustment.
Kolek's adaptability against different hitters was also on display. Facing 28 left-handed batters and eight right-handed batters, his pitch distribution revealed a strategic approach to each matchup.
Spring results can be deceptive, but pitch usage rarely lies. Kolek's approach shows continuity and a deeper understanding of his craft.
Even if he doesn't break camp in the starting rotation, his presence is invaluable. Depth starters might not grab headlines in February, but they are crucial come June.
If the Royals continue to see this version of Kolek-with his command, effective changeup, and adaptable mix-they’ll have a key asset for their playoff ambitions.
In short, Kolek represents starter-quality innings waiting in the wings, ready to make a difference when called upon.