Kowar to shift from starting to bullpen

A relatively young career has gotten off to a rough start for right-hander Jackson Kowar. The Royals have decided that the best course of action for the 24-year-old pitching prospect is to ease his way into the Major Leagues through the bullpen.

The 24-year-old has made two starts, and has yet to make it out of the second inning. He took the loss in each outing. Kowar’s eight earned runs ballooned his ERA to 36.00, while the .615 opposing batting average has contributed to his 6.50 WHIP.

Kowar’s struggles in the Majors are a stark contrast to the success he recorded in Triple-A prior to his MLB debut. The Royals believe the version that earned Kowar a promotion is still there, but the intricacies of MLB have gotten the best of him so far. For the time being, the best option for Kowar to learn his way will have to be out of the bullpen.

“Coming in a relief role, you have the opportunity to have your spikes on the mound in the Major Leagues and realize that by today's rules, your obligation is three hitters,” manager Mike Matheny said. “And think, ‘I'm going to trust the team to do with me what's best for the team’ without the extra expectation.”

As Kansas City’s No.4 overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline, Kowar spent over two seasons in the Minor Leagues as a starter. In six Triple-A starts this year, the right-hander put up a 0.85 ERA in 31 2/3 innings while striking out 41 hitters.

He has utilized a three-pitch arsenal -- highlighted by a devastating changeup and a high-90s fastball -- to shape his way into a top prospect for the Royals. Kowar will see more opportunities to establish himself as the Royals lean on the bullpen in place of traditional starters in the coming weeks with starting pitcher Danny Duffy remaining on the injured list.

The Royals’ top priority moving forward with the right-hander is to ease him into the demands of the big leagues, while keeping him grounded in the basics of the game.

“It's just putting him in a different spot to do the same thing: help us get outs,” Matheny said. “And then let us help him, put him in a spot that we think is going to increase his odds of success.”

Olivares keeping head high in up-and-down season

The best way Matheny could describe Edward Olivares’ season was a "yo-yo." The outfielder was optioned for the third time this season on June 17 after he went 1-for-5 in two games, just three days after he was called up.

Matheny empathized with the 25-year-old, noting that he also endured the back-and-forth trips between the Major and Minor Leagues. While the conversations aren’t easy to have, Matheny made it a point to tell Olivares he is a part of their future plans of success.

“It's not easy on you, it's not easy on your family, and we get that. We just explained to him that we care about him,” Matheny said of the conversation he had with Olivares. “We believe that he's part of what we're doing here and we believe that he can help us. We really like the way he's going about his business over the last year since we acquired him.”