The Kansas City Royals have re-signed starting pitcher Zack Greinke. He will return for his twentieth season in the majors and his ninth season with the Royals. Greinke has signed a 1-year deal.
Source confirms: Free-agent right-handed Zack Greinke in agreement with Royals on one-year contract, pending physical. First: @bobfescoe.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 30, 2023
Greinke in 2022
After leaving the Royals in 2010, Greinke returned with Kansas City in 2022. After pitching on contenders like the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros, his role with the Royals is different. Greinke was in the middle of the rotation for the season behind Brady Singer and Brad Keller. With both still on the roster in 2023, Greinke will likely remain in the 3rd spot in the rotation.
In his 2022 season, Greinke was 4-9 across 26 starts. His ERA of 3.68 was more than one run better than the Royals’ staff ERA of 4.70. Greinke pitched in 137 innings with an average start lasting 5 and 1/3 innings. Nine of twenty-six starts saw him throw at least six innings. Some marquee starts this season include September 27th against the Detroit Tigers, where he threw seven innings allowing no runs in a 4-3 loss. On August 11th at home against the Chicago White Sox, Greinke threw 6 and 1/3 innings without allowing a run giving the Royals a 5-3 win. Finally, on July 25th against the Los Angeles Angels, he threw five innings en route to a 7-0 Royals win.
Mechanics Changes
In 2021 with the Houston Astros, Greinke had four pitches he threw 90% of the time; his 4-seam fastball, changeup, curveball, and slider. In 2022, Greinke still had the same four pitches but he has now developed a cutter. His cutter averages 86 miles per hour which he throws 14% of the time. This pitch was something Greinke tried to throw in Houston but to no avail. Last season, he was more reliant on the curveball throwing it lower in the strike zone in contrast with his fastball. However, the biggest change in his mechanics since returning to the Royals is his slider. Despite throwing less of this pitch, it has increased in vertical movement to about three inches lower than in 2021. With Greinke returning to the Royals, it should be interesting to see how his mechanics change.
Legacy
Zack Greinke will play in his twentieth season in the majors and rumors will swirl if this will be his last. With notable accolades including a Cy Young, two ERA titles, six All-Star game appearances, and six Gold Gloves. Greinke, in the minds of some fans, may not be a Hall of Famer. This season with the Royals allows him to showcase his career longevity and be a leader among a young roster. Ultimately the Royals mean a lot to him. He was excited to return to Kansas City in 2022 after twelve seasons away. Looking into 2023, he hopes to have the same energy as he reaches the twilight of his career.
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