Kansas City Royals’ Alec Marsh to make MLB debut as ‘year of evaluation’ continues

The Kansas City Royals are expected to promote right-hander Alec Marsh on Friday night. Marsh, who is the Royals’ No. 14 prospect per MLB.com, will make his MLB debut against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Marsh will oppose Dodgers starter Bobby Miller. He will make a spot start for Jordan Lyles, who was scratched due to illness.

The Royals moved Marsh through the minor-league system this season. Marsh, 25, has made 14 minor league starts with Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha. He owns a 4.62 ERA in 62 1/3 innings pitched.

Marsh pitched five innings in his last start against the Rochester Red Wings. He allowed six hits, two earned runs, two walks and struck out six batters.

The Royals selected Marsh in the second round of the 2019 MLB Draft. He starred at Arizona State and profiles as a power pitcher. He has struck out six or more batters in each of his Triple-A starts.

Marsh is the latest Royals prospect to be called up this season as part of a movement toward youth. He joins Maikel Garcia, Dairon Blanco, Samad Taylor and Austin Cox, among others. Each have gotten an extended look at the big-league level.

Royals Chairman and CEO John Sherman expects more prospects to follow.

During his Thursday press conference, much of which centered on the proposed downtown Royals stadium and district, Sherman admitted the 2023 campaign hasn’t gone as expected. The Royals sit at 23-58 and will continue to evaluate the roster in the second half of the season.

“I feel accountable for where we are right now in our baseball team,” Sherman said. “We are committed to do what it takes to return to form and to develop a playoff caliber team in Kansas City.”

Marsh has a chance to earn a starting spot with the Royals. Injuries have ravaged the starting rotation as veterans Brad Keller, Kris Bubic and Daniel Lynch have all missed time. Keller is on the mend and Bubic underwent Tommy John surgery and is out for the season.

Lynch has found his groove in recent starts. He is a part of a starting rotation that consists of Brady Singer, Zack Greinke and Lyles.

Marsh could add a different dynamic to the rotation. He has a plus-fastball that can reach upward of 95 mph. In 2022, Marsh compiled 147 strikeouts in 114 1/3 innings with Double-A Northwest Arkansas.

“This is a real year of evaluation and that evaluation right now is painful,” Sherman said. “We committed to a young group. We’ve got some pieces to the puzzle that needed to be added.”

Marsh is another piece for the Royals. Another name that could be in the mix include southpaw Angel Zerpa, who is currently on a rehab assignment in Triple-A.

Zerpa has made four career MLB appearances. He recently made his fourth rehab start, allowing two runs in 4 1/3 innings of work.

The Royals also have talented prospects Gavin Cross (No. 1 prospect) and Cayden Wallace (No. 4) playing with High-A Quad Cities. Fellow young starters Ben Kudrna (No. 2) and Frank Mozzicato (No. 5) are in Low-A Columbia.

“I look forward to the second half of the year for further evaluation and for further development as a part of our team,” Sherman said. “We might see some new faces.”