Another Pitching Feather in KC's Cap

Ryan Bergert's not-so-subtle adjustments since joining the Royals

Photo courtesy of MLB.com

In what’s been a disastrous start to the week for Kansas City, we can spin up one positive report: Rising rotation member Ryan Bergert continues to shine.

As the Royals (70-69) find themselves sliding back into a muddy AL Wild Card picture, now 2.5 games out of the playoffs and surrounded by Texas (1.5 GB), Tampa Bay (2.5 GB) and Cleveland (3 GB), they’ve found themselves another mid-rotation gem at the deadline.

Bergert flashed yet again Wednesday night, his sixth start in KC and perhaps his best. The 25-year-old right-hander cruised through five scoreless innings with six strikeouts and two walks before allowing his third free pass of the night to open the sixth to Zach Neto, prompting a switch to John Schreiber. Schreiber, who’s pitched phenomenally the last few weeks, promptly permitted a single before striking out Taylor Ward and allowing a three-run homer to Jo Adell, putting the Angels on top in a game they’d eventually take 4-3.

Since joining Kansas City, Bergert’s tossed 33.1 innings in his six starts. He’s struck out nearly a quarter of opponents with a manageable 8.3% walk rate, much better than the 13.3% he put forth as a starter with San Diego.

In fact, the numbers have taken a step forward across the board since the deadline deal.

• With KC (six starts): 33.1 IP, 2.43 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, .182 average, 23.5% K, 8.3% BB

• With SD (seven starts): 31.2 IP, 3.13 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, .197 average, 23.7% K, 13.3% BB

It’s not just a mirage of pitching in Kauffman Stadium lifting his numbers, either. Bergert’s made tangible adjustments as a Royal to vault himself from swingman — he opened his 2025 rookie campaign in San Diego’s bullpen — to surefire starter.

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