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Royals Sign Ross Stripling To Minor League Deal

By Darragh McDonald | February 19, 2025 at 5:35pm CDT

The Royals announced that they have signed right-hander Ross Stripling to a minor league deal. The Excel Sports Management has also been invited to participate in major league spring training.

Stripling, 35, is a veteran swingman with plenty of good seasons under his belt. However, he’s coming off two pretty rough campaigns. From 2016 to 2022, he logged 672 innings between the Dodgers and Blue Jays over 104 starts and 100 relief appearances. He allowed 3.78 earned runs per nine over that span. His 22.3% strikeout rate was close to average but his 45% ground ball rate was strong and his 5.7% walk rate very good.

The last season of that stretch was his best. With the Jays in 2022, he made 24 starts and eight relief appearances, throwing 134 1/3 innings with an ERA of 3.01. His 20.7% strikeout rate was still only average-ish but his 3.7% walk rate was tiny. Among pitchers with at least 130 frames that year, only Corey Kluber and Aaron Nola gave out free passes at a lower rate.

That led to a two-year, $25MM deal with the Giants going into 2023, with his results tapering off from there. He posted a 5.36 ERA in 2023 and then got flipped to the Athletics ahead of last season. With Oakland in 2024, he spent time on the injured list with a right elbow strain and a lower back strain, allowing a 6.01 ERA in 85 1/3 innings around that.

Under the hood, things aren’t quite as bleak as that ERA would suggest. His .338 batting average on balls in play and 54.8% strand rate were both on the unlucky side last year. His 3.89 FIP believed him to be far better than his ERA, though SIERA was less optimistic at 5.01. Stripling’s control was still strong last year, walking just 5.8% of opponents, but his 12.9% strikeout rate was quite low and a third straight drop for him. He struck out 21.8% of opponents in 2021 but that figure has dropped to 20.7%, 18.4% and 12.9% in the past three campaigns.

The Kansas City rotation will be fronted by Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha in three spots. Michael Lorenzen will likely have a spot at the back end. Kris Bubic and Kyle Wright are rotation candidates as well, though they are each returning from significant health issues. Bubic missed almost all of 2023 due to Tommy John surgery and worked out of the bullpen last year. Wright missed the entire 2024 season due to shoulder surgery.

There are some other options on the 40-man, including Alec Marsh and Daniel Lynch IV. They are still optionable and could be ticketed for the Triple-A rotation. Stripling will give the Royals a bit of non-roster depth for the staff. If they want a long reliever in the bullpen at some point, perhaps they could turn to Stripling in order to leave guys like Marsh and Lynch getting regular starts in the minors.

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Kansas City Royals Transactions Ross Stripling

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View Comments (28)
Post a Comment

28 Comments

  1. davemlaw

    8 months ago

    He’s really good at throwing batting practice; the problem is it’s during a real game.

    5
    Reply
    • dougjay

      8 months ago

      Lol good one!

      Reply
    • luigi did nothing wrong

      8 months ago

      he’s also good about crying about the astros

      Reply
      • Jimmyinrichmond

        8 months ago

        The Astros will always be remembered as cheaters.

        9
        Reply
        • luigi did nothing wrong

          8 months ago

          And Donald Trump will always be known for inflation. So what

          Reply
        • spooky

          8 months ago

          Luigi just lives for comment thread arguments doesn’t he. Why else would you have a name like that and just spew nonsense unprovoked. Sad little life for that one

          Reply
        • luigi did nothing wrong

          8 months ago

          How’s it nonsense? Who injected $5 trillion into the economy in 2020? Inflation increased more than 400% after that.

          Reply
  2. BaseballBrian

    8 months ago

    We may be reaching the bottom of the dumpster now.

    2
    Reply
    • TrotNixonIsMyHero

      8 months ago

      I am not a Royals fan or a Stripling apologist but I disagree. Not even close to the bottom of the dumpster. Stripling had some great years and was injured. I see this as a shrewd signing on a MINOR league contract. No risk and if Stripling finds something he could really help the Royals.

      14
      Reply
      • Fbi

        8 months ago

        He was good on jays is was hoping he was sign again

        1
        Reply
      • BaseballBrian

        8 months ago

        Check his numbers the last 4 years and get back to me.

        Reply
  3. DigglinDickers

    8 months ago

    He needs one more season for 10 years.

    1
    Reply
  4. For Love of the Game

    8 months ago

    It’s a MINOR league deal. He’s a backup plan. It ain’t the end of the world!

    5
    Reply
  5. GO1962

    8 months ago

    And the Pirates miss out again!

    Reply
  6. THEY LIVE!!!

    8 months ago

    Poor Dross Stripling. Didn’t make enough to retire, still plugging away.

    Reply
    • User 3544663696

      8 months ago

      Who is Dross?????

      2
      Reply
  7. dougjay

    8 months ago

    That’s a decent signing, solid move… he has potential to get you 20 solid innings this year

    1
    Reply
  8. SupremeZeus

    8 months ago

    skywardfin.com/our-team

    1
    Reply
  9. GabeItch

    8 months ago

    Smart, just like Ross!

    Reply
    • Kewldude69

      8 months ago

      As a Dodgers fan, I have no idea how this guy got people out. He throws straight 91 mph fastballs. Dave loved him though. And when he was brought in relief in game 2 of the 2017 World Series, I knew we were screwed.

      2
      Reply
  10. Non Roster Invitee

    8 months ago

    Ross Stripling…milking it since 2022.

    1
    Reply
  11. cadagan

    8 months ago

    This got me thinking. Amazing that through all the rebuilds and focusing on prospects,

    how little KC has produced a homegrown TOR pitcher?
    Danny Duffy and Hochevar were the best??

    Reply
    • Edp007

      8 months ago

      Dennis Leonard says hi

      Reply
    • Edp007

      8 months ago

      Mark Gubicza waves back

      Reply
    • Edp007

      8 months ago

      Kevin Appier walks into the room

      1
      Reply
  12. Michael Can Fart? Oh!

    8 months ago

    This guy was throwing a no-hitter in his MLB debut when Roberts pulled him. His career never recovered.

    Reply
  13. fjmendez

    8 months ago

    Good luck, he was horrible for Oakland last year.

    Reply
  14. GoRoyals1969

    8 months ago

    Possible backfill if Royals move a reliever in a trade.

    Reply

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