The Royals first selection from the 2018 MLB Draft, Brady Singer, was called up to start the game in Cleveland on Saturday.  Singer was the first of five pitchers the Royals selected with their first five selections that year.  He is the third player from the 2018 MLB Draft class to make his MLB debut following Cubs Nico Hoerner who debuted last September and White Sox Codi Heuer who made his debut yesterday.

Singer was ranked as the Royals top prospect soon after being drafted.  He made only 26 starts in the minors as he moved quickly through the Royals system.

The Royals played their first extra inning game of the season.  The game was tied 2-2 after the ninth and the Royals won it 3-2 in the next inning.

Singer had a 2-0 lead when he got to the mound thanks to back-to-back homers from Jorge Soler and Salvador Perez.  The first hitter that Singer faced was Cesar Hernandez.  Singer’s first pitch was 95.2 mph and called ball one.  He threw his first MLB strike on the next pitch at 95.3 mph.  Two pitches later and Hernandez grounded a slider to McBroom at first for an unassisted ground out.

The next better Singer faced was Jose Ramirez.  Singer quickly learned that home plate umpire Andy Fletcher wants a rookie to earn his strikes and fell behind 3-0.  After working his way back into the count, Singer walked Ramirez on a full count slider.

Singer got both Fransisco Lindor and Carlos Santana to fly out to end his first MLB inning.

Franmil Reyes started the second inning with a strikeout.  Singer threw a 1-2, 84 mph slider that broke down and away from Reyes recording Singer’s first MLB strikeout.

Singer lost his no-hitter to Kyle Zimmer’s little brother, Bradley.  That seems like it might be worthy of a fine in Kangaroo Court, but I’m not involved in that.  Two batters later Singer gave up his first MLB run when Ramirez hit a ground ball through the infield.

Singer looked very good and got a lot of compliments from the Indians radio team.  Singer competed and did not look overwhelmed at any point.  He seemed like a seasoned pro just making another start.

Matheny got Zimmer out after 5.0 innings in a tie game.  I thought it was a good move by Matheny as Singer had thrown 80 pitches and had done exactly what the Royals needed him to do.  Let him enjoy his success and build for his next start.

Singer’s final line was 5.0, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, and 7 K.  The hardest pitch he threw was 95.7 mph to Jose Ramirez in the first inning.

Picture taken from NWAonline.com and was taken by Charlie Riedel.