Kansas City Royals left-hander Cole Ragans managed to earn his first win of the season as part of a weather-shortened, five-inning, 2-1 win over the visiting Toronto Blue Jays. It turns out the 26-year-old was the only pitcher the club needed on the afternoon as Ragans tossed five innings of one-run ball on three hits and three walks while striking out four on the day. The outing lowered his ERA to 3.90 through six starts while he has recorded 37 strikeouts against 10 walks across 30 innings of work. Claimed off waivers from the Rangers last season, Ragans broke out with a 2.64 ERA with 89 strikeouts against 27 walks across 12 starts and 71 2/3 innings in the Royals' rotation, making him a sought-after fantasy asset in drafts this spring.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans took a tough-luck no-decision in Wednesday's 4-3 defeat to the Baltimore Orioles, but he threw 6 1/3 innings of one-hit ball with seven strikeouts and two walks. Some believed Ragans may have been in for some regression in 2024, but he's passed his first two tests of the season with flying colors and is swiftly settling in as KC's ace. The 26-year-old former first-round pick has allowed a lone run with 16 punchouts over his first 12 1/3 frames of the campaign, which is good for a 1.46 ERA and 0.89 WHIP thus far. Since landing with the Royals last July as part of the Aroldis Chapman deal, Ragans has dazzled with a 2.46 ERA and 105 strikeouts while hurling at least six innings in 11 of his 14 appearances. He'll draw a tough assignment when the Houston Astros and right-hander Cristian Javier come to town for the start of a three-game series next Tuesday.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans delivered a solid opening day performance but ended up taking the loss in a 4-1 defeat against the Minnesota Twins. Ragans allowed just a pair of runs on five hits and three walks while striking out nine over six innings of work. The control was a little iffy in this one, but the 2023 breakout star showed why he was being drafted in the top 100, flashing his brilliant stuff. He should be able to rack up strikeouts, and if he can command his pitches a little bit better he has a chance to be a fantasy ace.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans has been named the team's Opening Day starter. Ragans ascent has been something to behold, as he went from an afterthought with the Rangers to a bonafide stud almost immediately after joining the Royals. Although his spring numbers aren't quite on the level of his second-half numbers from last year, the 26-year-old has still flashed good stuff and shown why he is being selected in the top 100 of most drafts. He may be a risk, but his upside is worthy of where he is being taken.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans made his second start of the spring on Friday, pitching well in a 5-4 Cactus League win over the Oakland Athletics. The southpaw went three innings, allowing just one hit while walking one and striking out three. Ragans struck out the first two batters he faced on three pitches each and now has a total of eight strikeouts in just five innings of work across his two starts with no earned runs allowed. After joining the Royals from the Rangers last season, Ragans was superb as a starter and he'll look to maintain that momentum in 2024. If these two starts are any indication of that, it appears he's picking up where he left off.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans launched six two-run innings on three hits and four walks with five strikeouts for his seventh win of the year in Friday's start against the Houston Astros. The 25-year-old was spotted an early four-run lead before Yordan Alvarez tagged him for an RBI double in the first inning. Jose Abreu then took a high fastball yard in the second frame, but Ragans pitched quite well otherwise. The southpaw has authored an incredible post-All-Star break story, leading the American League with a masterful 2.34 ERA in 11 starts (65 1/3 innings). Ragans has also fanned 81 during this phenomenal string of success, and the Royals have to love the compensation they received for Aroldis Chapman's expiring contract earlier this summer thus far. Ragans will have a prime chance to put a bow on his second half in his final 2023 start set for Thursday against the Detroit Tigers.

Kansas City Royals lefty Cole Ragans had an impressive night on Tuesday when he went seven scoreless innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates, striking out nine while allowing no runs on three hits and one walk. His club couldn't back him up, though, as they fell to the Pirates 6-3. Ragans now owns a 3.27 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 29.5% strikeout rate across 66 innings. The 25-year-old began the season in Texas, but since his move to Kansas City, he's been on fire, authoring a 1.73 ERA in seven starts. Ragans has made himself a must-add in all formats, and his next start is scheduled for Monday against the Chicago White Sox.

Kansas City Royals left-hander Cole Ragans will make his fifth start of the season on Friday against Jameson Taillon and the Chicago Cubs. The 25-year-old has been productive after moving to the rotation, posting a 2.38 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and 28.7% strikeout rate across 22 2/3 innings. However, Ragans was roughed up a bit in his last game, allowing four runs in five innings, and he owns a 4.21 ERA overall through 21 appearances in 2023. Fantasy managers in deeper formats can add the second-year player, as he can provide strikeouts and a decent ERA.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans looked sharp during Wednesday's game against the New York Mets. The left-hander tossed six shutout innings during his second start with Kansas City. He allowed seven hits, while walking one walk, and striking out eight in the win over New York. The expectation is that Ragans is going to stick around in the rotation. His next start would come against the Red Sox in Boston next week.