The Royals had nine pitchers at a league-average chase rate or higher in 2025. They were Trevor Richards, Bailey Falter, Kris Bubic, Jonathan Bowlan, Harvey, Cole Ragans, Wacha, Michael Lorenzen and Lucas Erceg. I don’t think everyone has to be able to get swings on pitches outside the zone at a super high rate, and maybe it’s more that you want to see that out of your relievers more than starters because I think it’s fair to be concerned about a bullpen including Estevez, Angel Zerpa, John Schreiber and Steven Cruz in potentially leverage roles when all of them are below average and some (Cruz, weirdly) who are way below average.
It’s why I’d bet on Sweeney and his staff to get more out of guys who already have the ability to get hitters to go outside the zone.