Daniel Lynch IV

Active

Kansas City Royals · Pitcher

Age 296' 6" · 200 lbsThrows Left

FBaseball Overview

The 29-year-old left-hander brings legitimacy to Kansas City's rotation with early-season momentum, sporting a stellar 2.65 ERA and 1.03 WHIP through his first handful of starts in 2026. Lynch's strikeout rate remains solid at 7.94 K/9, and his recent success builds on 2025 when he logged 45 strikeouts with a respectable 3.06 ERA over 67.2 innings, suggesting he's settled into a dependable mid-rotation role. The modest win total and lack of save opportunities indicate he's unlikely to accumulate wins quickly on a rebuilding Royals squad, but his ability to limit hits and walks makes him a viable fantasy option in ratio-dependent leagues and deeper formats seeking ERA and WHIP stability. Monitor his workload as the season progresses to ensure he maintains starter eligibility while capitalizing on his improved command.

MLB Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2021	Kansas City Royals	15	15	4	6	0	5.69	1.63	55	68.0	31
2022	Kansas City Royals	27	27	4	13	0	5.13	1.57	122	131.2	52
2023	Kansas City Royals	9	9	3	4	0	4.64	1.26	34	52.1	16
2024	Kansas City Royals	16	3	2	0	1	3.32	0.99	39	43.1	14
2025	Kansas City Royals	57	2	6	2	1	3.06	1.36	45	67.2	26
2026	Kansas City Royals	37	0	2	2	1	2.50	0.97	32	36.0	11
Career	Totals	161	56	21	27	3	4.38	1.39	327	399	150

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Minor League Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2018	2 teams▼	12	12	5	1	1.58	1.01	61	51.1	8
2019	2 teams▼	18	18	5	2	2.89	1.24	89	87.1	26
2021	Omaha Storm Chasers	12	11	4	3	5.84	1.61	62	57.0	18
2022	Omaha Storm Chasers	2	2	0	0	3.86	1.43	8	7.0	3
2023	2 teams▼	6	6	2	0	3.63	1.30	24	22.1	5
2024	Omaha Storm Chasers	21	21	8	1	3.54	1.25	95	119.1	32
2025	2 teams▼	2	0	0	0	6.75	1.13	4	2.2	1
Career	Totals	73	70	24	7	3.50	1.28	343	347	93

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Game Log2026 season

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Pitching Analytics2026 season · via Baseball Savant

Click for year to year changes

FB Velo94.6 mph

Avg Spin2110 rpm

Whiff %30.4%

K %21.9%

BB %7.5%

Hard Hit %33.7%

Barrel %5.9%

xERA3.24

xBA Against0.221

xSLG Against0.341

BA Against0.182

SLG Against0.295

GB%52.5%

FB%24.8%

What These Stats Mean

FB Velo — Average fastball velocity. Harder throwers generate more swings and misses, setting up every other pitch in their arsenal. Velocity is the foundation of strikeout upside.

Avg Spin — Average spin rate across all pitches. Higher spin creates more movement and makes pitches harder to square up — elite spinners run better strikeout and batting average against numbers.

Whiff % — Swings-and-misses per swing. The most direct measure of a pitcher's ability to miss bats and the best leading indicator of strikeout rate.

K % — Strikeout rate per batter faced. The core fantasy pitching stat — high K% means reliable strikeout totals that hold up even in shorter starts.

BB % — Walk rate per batter faced. The primary control metric. High BB% tanks ERA and WHIP and keeps baserunners on constantly. Elite starters typically run below 7%.

Hard Hit % — Percentage of batted balls hit 95 mph or harder against. Low hard-hit% means weak contact, protecting both ERA and the defense behind the pitcher.

Barrel % — Percentage of batted balls barreled against. The most direct home run predictor — low barrel% pitchers rarely give up long balls.

xERA — Expected ERA based on contact quality allowed, removing the effect of sequencing, luck, and defense. Better predictor of future ERA than ERA itself.

xBA Against — Expected batting average opponents should hit based on contact quality. A gap between xBA and actual BA indicates unsustainable luck in either direction.

xSLG Against — Expected slugging allowed based on contact quality. High xSLG against predicts future extra-base damage; low xSLG means the pitcher is genuinely suppressing power.

BA Against — Actual batting average opponents are hitting — a key WHIP component. Check xBA to see if the number is sustainable.

SLG Against — Actual slugging allowed. Captures hits, doubles, triples, and home runs — lower means the pitcher is limiting the power damage he gives up.

GB% — Ground ball rate. High GB% pitchers generate double plays, limit home runs, and keep the ball in the park — great for protecting ERA and WHIP ratios.

FB% — Fly ball rate. High FB% pitchers give up more air contact — dangerous when combined with high exit velocity, less so when contact is soft.

Loading player data...

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2021

Kansas City Royals

5.69

1.63

68.0

2022

Kansas City Royals

5.13

1.57

122

131.2

2023

Kansas City Royals

4.64

1.26

52.1

2024

Kansas City Royals

3.32

0.99

43.1

2025

Kansas City Royals

3.06

1.36

67.2

2026

Kansas City Royals

2.50

0.97

36.0

Career

Totals

161

4.38

1.39

327

399

150

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2018

2 teams▼

1.58

1.01

51.1

2019

2 teams▼

2.89

1.24

87.1

2021

Omaha Storm Chasers

5.84

1.61

57.0

2022

Omaha Storm Chasers

3.86

1.43

7.0

2023

2 teams▼

3.63

1.30

22.1

2024

Omaha Storm Chasers

3.54

1.25

119.1

2025

2 teams▼

6.75

1.13

2.2

Career

Totals

3.50

1.28

343

347