Josh Staumont

Staumont made his professional debut in 2015 with the Arizona League Royals and was later promoted to the Idaho Falls Chukars; in 18 combined games between both teams, he went 3-1 with a 2.48 ERA. In 2016, Staumont pitched for both the Wilmington Blue Rocks and Northwest Arkansas Naturals,[4][5] pitching to a combined 4-11 record and 4.23 ERA in 29 total games (26 total starts) between both teams. After the season, he played in the Arizona Fall League.

Staumont spent 2017 with both Northwest Arkansas and the Omaha Storm Chasers where he went 6-12 with a 5.56 ERA with 138 strikeouts in 124.2 total innings pitched between the two clubs.[6] In 2018, he pitched for Omaha, going 2-5 with a 3.51 ERA in 74.1 innings pitched, mainly in relief.[7] The Royals added Staumont to their 40-man roster after the 2018 season.[8] He returned to Omaha to begin 2019.

On July 20, 2019, the Royals promoted Staumont to the major leagues.[9] He made his major league debut on July 25, pitching two scoreless innings in relief.[10] In 16 games during his rookie campaign, Staumont pitched to a 3.72 ERA with 15 strikeouts. In 2020, he was 2–1 with a 2.45 ERA.[11] Balls hit off of him had the highest average exit velocity of those hit off of any major league pitcher, at 94.4 mph.[12]

In 2021, Staumont was 4–3 with a 2.88 ERA and 72 strikeouts and 5 saves in 65+2⁄3 innings.[11] Staumont made 42 appearances for Kansas City in 2022, but struggled to a 3-3 record and 6.45 ERA with 43 strikeouts and 3 saves in 37.2 innings pitched.

Staumont was optioned to Triple-A Omaha to begin the 2023 season.[13]