It’s safe to say that when the Royals made their first trade of the season, sending noted domestic-violence-perpetrator Aroldis Chapman to the Texas Rangers, Royals fans were unimpressed. An 18-year-old non-prospect and a pitcher with limited success in his early stints in the big leagues didn’t excite anyone in KC. However, that pitcher’s early results have quickly turned things around.
Since arriving in Kansas City, Cole Ragans has made three starts for KC, striking out 22 in 17.2 innings while walking only four. He has a 1.02 ERA and, perhaps even more impressively, a 1.46 FIP. He will make his fourth start tonight against the cross-state rival Cardinals and it seems safe to say that this is the most excited many fans have been all season.