Kyle Zimmer #50

In 2009 graduated from La Jolla (CA) High School...attended the University of San Francisco, where as a freshman he moved from infielder to pitcher...in 2011 he led USF with 89 strikeouts...was two-time All-West Coast Conference and was on the USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award watch list...studied business at USF and was on the 2012 All-WCC All-Academic team...father, Eric, played baseball at UC-San Diego, while his mother, Cathy, ran track at San Diego State...younger brother, Bradley, was a first-round pick of the Indians in 2014 (21st overall).

2021

Made his third consecutive Opening Day roster for the Royals...Made a career-high 52 appearances surrounding two stints on the 10-day Injured List, from 4/29-5/17 with a left trapezius strain and from 8/4-8/22 with neck/trapezius spasms...Induced 13 double plays, including 12 as a reliever to tie StL's T.J. McFarland for the most GIDP by a reliever in the Major Leagues...In a 4-3 win on 4/11 at WSox threw a scoreless 10th inning, stranding the automatic runner at second base, to earn his first Major League save...In the seventh inning on 7/10 at Cle struck out his younger brother, Bradley...The Zimmers became the 11th set of brothers since 1970 to face each other in a batter vs pitcher matchup...Six of the 10 previous matchups featured brothers who were pitchers but hit against each other, and the other four were position player vs pitcher duels...the latter group includes Colin and Brian Moran (once in 2019), Colby and Cory Rasmus (once in 2013), Julio and Ruddy Lugo (twice in 2007) and George and Ken Brett (many times from 1976-79)...The brothers faced each other again on 9/27 at Cle, and Bradley homered in the eighth inning...was the fourth time since 1900 a player homered off his brother...Joe Niekro homered off Phil on 5/29/76, Rick Ferrell homered off Wes in 1933, and George Stovall homered off Jesse in 1904.

2020

Made the Opening Day roster for the second consecutive season and pitched to a 1.57 ERA (4 ER in 23.0 IP), seventh best in the AL (min. 20.0 IP)...Pitched in relief 15 times, 12 of which were scoreless, including four outings of at least 2.0 scoreless innings, which tied for fourth most in the AL...Recorded 3.0 scoreless innings in relief on Aug. 1 vs. the White Sox to set a career-high in innings and pitches thrown (47) and mark the second-longest relief outing by a Royals pitcher in 2020...One of six relievers who did not allow a home run in 2020 (min. 20.0 IP), along with Alex Colomé (22.1), Brad Hand (22.0), Héctor Neris (21.2), Bryan Garcia (21.2) and Caleb Thielbar (20.0)…he hasn’t allowed a homer since Sept. 15, 2019 (Kyle Tucker), a streak of 26.1 homerless innings...Had multiple strikeouts in eight of 16 appearances, including four outings with three strikeouts, tied for second most among AL rookie relievers...Held opponents to a .175 average (14-for-80)—including six hitless outings—fifth best among American League rookie relievers (min. 90 batters faced)...Held opponents to 1-for-20 (.050) with runners in scoring position, and the lone hit was a Brad Miller RBI double in his final outing on Sept. 22...Placed on the 60-day Injured List on Sept. 23 with right elbow neuritis and missed the final five games of the season.

2019

Made his first Opening Day roster and his big league debut on March 31 vs. the White Sox…posted a 0-1 record and a 10.80 ERA (22 ER in 18.1 IP) across 15 appearances with the Royals over three big league stints ... Issued 19 walks in 18.1 innings for the third highest ratio (9.33 BB/9) in the Majors among pitchers that worked at least 15.0 frames ... Suffered his first loss in his second big league outing, walking the bases loaded in the seventh inning in Detroit on April 4 ... Made a pair of 2.0-inning scoreless appearances, July 27 vs. Cleveland and July 30 vs. Toronto, before surrendering multiple runs in six of his next seven outings (Aug. 2-Sept. 15) ... Pitched to a 4.33 ERA (26 ER in 54.0 IP) and a 2-4 record in 37 outings (12 starts) with Omaha (AAA)…posted a 1.84 ERA (6 ER in 29.1 IP) in his 19 road outings, compared to a 7.30 ERA (20 ER in 24.2 IP) at Werner Park ... Named Omaha Pitcher of the Month for July, in which he went 1-0 with a 1.56 ERA (3 ER in 17.1 IP) in 10 appearances ... Made 12 appearances as an Opener with Omaha, in which he recorded a 1.96 ERA (5 ER in 23.0 IP)…he posted a 7.84 ERA (43 ER in 49.1 IP) in 25 relief appearances.

2018

Designated for assignment on March 29, but signed a minor league contract on April 6 to remain in the Royals' organization...Did not pitch in 2018…spent six months at Driveline Baseball facility in Seattle, Wash. on a data-driven strength training program.

2017

Spent majority of the season with Omaha (AAA), after opening the year at Northwest Arkansas (AA)…combined to make 21 appearances and three starts, posting a 5.40 ERA (22 ER in 36.1 IP) with three saves in three chances ... Missed nearly two months of action, being placed on the disabled list on April 24 with a right shoulder injury… reinstated on June 13…worked exclusively out of the bullpen following the DL stint ... Over his final eight outings, posted a 2.61 ERA (3 ER in 10.1 IP) with five walks and 12 strikeouts in that span (July 19 to end of season) ... Made one start for the Naturals, allowing one run on six hits over 4.0 innings, taking a no-decision in a 5-3 loss to San Antonio ... Entered the season rated as the No. 10 prospect in the Royals' organization, according to Baseball America.

2016

Injuries limited him to three starts, pitching at Northwest Arkansas (AA) and Wilmington (A)...Surrendered just one earned run in 5.2 innings, but suffered a pair of losses...Recorded five strikeouts in 1.2 innings in his season debut on May 7 vs. Myrtle Beach...Diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome in May and missed the final three months of the season, following surgery...Rated as the No. 10 prospect in the Royals' organization by Baseball America following the season.

2015

Kyle split the season between Lexington (A) and Northwest Arkansas (AA) posting 2.35 combined ERA (17 ER in 64.0 IP) in 24 appearances (seven starts) between the two stops...Returned to the mound from offseason shoulder surgery on May 29, tossing 1.2 scoreless innings for Lexington vs. Greenville...earned his first victory of the season in his next outing, June 2, with 2.0 shutout frames vs. Rome...Promoted to Northwest Arkansas July 2...went 1-0 with a 1.65 ERA (3 ER in 16.1 IP) as a reliever and was 1-4 with a 3.41 ERA (12 ER in 31.2 IP) in his seven starts...Held left-handed hitters to a .217 average (18-for-83), while righties batted .250 against him (24-for-96).

2014

Rated as the top prospect in the Royals' organization by Baseball America prior to the 2014 season.....tabbed the Royals' prospect with the "Best Curveball" and "Best Control" entering 2013 and "Best Curveball" and "Best Slider" in 2014.

2013

Kyle spent a majority of his second professional season with Wilmington (A-Advanced), but was promoted to Double-A Northwest Arkansas on July 14..Ranked seventh in the Carolina League with 113 strikeouts...needed just 89.2 innings to reach his total, while the six pitchers ahead of him all threw over 100.0 innings in the league...Recorded his second professional shutout on June 29, blanking Potomac on two hits in a 7.0-inning complete game...Posted a 2-1 mark with a 1.93 ERA (4 ER in 18.2 IP) in his first four starts with the Naturals, before being shut down for the season on August 16 with right shoulder tightness.

2012

Posted a 2-1 record with an 0.38 ERA (1 ER in 23.2 IP) in August with Kane County..recorded a season-best 7.0 innings on August 16, 2012 vs. Clinton, in a 5-3 triumph.