Kris Bubic Bio
Kristofer Bubic, known professionally as Kris Bubic, is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB). Born in Cupertino, California, Bubic developed into a polished left-hander through a standout amateur career at Archbishop Mitty High School and Stanford University before being selected in the first round of the 2018 MLB Draft. After his MLB debut in 2020, he endured injury setbacks before emerging as a reliable starter and earning his first All-Star selection in 2025.
Early Life and Background
Kristofer Bubic was born on August 19, 1997, in Cupertino, California. He is of Croatian descent through both of his parents, a heritage that has shaped his family background. Growing up in the Bay Area, Bubic attended Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, California, graduating in 2015. He was a two-sport athlete who also played football, but it was on the baseball diamond where his future became clear.
As a junior at Archbishop Mitty, Bubic posted an 8–2 record with a 0.89 earned run average, signaling his potential as a frontline arm. In his senior season, he compiled a 1.20 ERA and struck out 82 batters across 70 innings pitched. Despite his strong performance, Bubic went unselected in the 2015 MLB Draft and chose to continue his development at Stanford University.
Path to Baseball
At Stanford, Bubic quickly became a key piece of the Cardinal pitching staff. As a freshman in 2016, he appeared in 21 games, including six starts, going 0–3 with a 3.26 ERA. The following year, his role expanded: as a sophomore in 2017, he started 15 games, recording a 7–6 mark and a 2.79 ERA with 96 strikeouts in 90 innings.
That summer, Bubic pitched for the Yarmouth–Dennis Red Sox of the Cape Cod Baseball League, one of the most prestigious amateur circuits in the country. He earned Pitcher of the Year honors after going 4–1 with a 1.65 ERA in 32⅔ innings. Returning to Stanford for his junior season in 2018, he went 8–1 with a 2.62 ERA and was named to the Pac-12 All-Conference Team, cementing his status as a top draft prospect.
Kris Bubic Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
The Kansas City Royals selected Bubic with the 40th overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, making him the fourth and final first-round pitcher taken by Kansas City that year alongside Brady Singer, Jackson Kowar, and Daniel Lynch IV. He signed with the Royals on June 18, 2018, for $1,597,500, and was assigned to the Idaho Falls Chukars of the Pioneer League. In ten starts, he went 2–3 with a 4.03 ERA and was named a Pioneer League All-Star.
Bubic began 2019 with the Lexington Legends and dominated early, going 4–1 with a 2.08 ERA in nine starts to earn a midseason promotion to the Wilmington Blue Rocks. With Wilmington, he posted a 7–4 record and a 2.30 ERA across 17 starts, finishing the year as a 2019 All-Star Futures Game selection.
MLB Debut and Rookie Years (2020–2021)
Bubic made his major league debut on July 31, 2020, against the Chicago White Sox, pitching four innings and allowing three earned runs while striking out three. In the shortened 2020 season, he made ten starts for the Royals, going 1–6 with a 4.32 ERA and 49 strikeouts over 50 innings. In 2021, he appeared in 30 games, finishing 6–7 with a 4.43 ERA as he worked to refine his command at the highest level.
Setbacks and Bullpen Role (2022–2024)
The 2022 season proved difficult for Bubic, as he went 3–13 with a 5.58 ERA in 129 innings and led major league pitchers in several negative categories, including walks per nine innings and opponent on-base percentage. He opened 2023 in the Royals rotation but went 0–2 with a 3.94 ERA in three starts before being announced as needing Tommy John surgery on April 21, 2023, ending his season prematurely.
Bubic returned from the injured list on July 6, 2024, and was deployed primarily out of the bullpen. He finished the year 1–1 with a 2.67 ERA and 39 strikeouts across 30⅓ innings in 27 appearances, adding seven holds and one save to anchor middle relief for Kansas City.
Kansas City Royals Era (2025–Present)
On July 6, 2025, Bubic was named to his first career All-Star Game roster, a career milestone that reflected a resurgent season. Through 20 starts, he compiled an 8–7 record and a 2.55 ERA with 116 strikeouts in 116⅓ innings. His season was cut short on July 26 when the Royals announced he would miss the remainder of the year with a rotator cuff strain.
Driving Style and Strengths
Bubic is a left-handed pitcher known for his strikeout ability and his willingness to attack hitters. After his Tommy John surgery, he returned with renewed velocity and sharper command, traits that powered his All-Star campaign. His blend of swing-and-miss stuff and improved pitch efficiency has made him a dependable option in the Royals’ pitching staff.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Bubic’s career include his MLB debut against the Chicago White Sox in 2020, his selection to the 2019 All-Star Futures Game, and his first All-Star selection in 2025. He was part of an historic 2018 Royals draft class that used all four first-round picks on college pitchers, and he has shown resilience by returning from both Tommy John surgery and a rotator cuff injury.
Kris Bubic Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Kris Bubic has compiled victories across the minor leagues and major leagues, beginning with summer collegiate honors and culminating in an All-Star-caliber 2025 season. His progression from Cape Cod League Pitcher of the Year to MLB All-Star traces a steady rise through the Royals organization.
Major League Highlights
In the major leagues, Bubic’s most notable win total came during the 2025 season, when he went 8–7 across 20 starts. His first major league victory came during his 2020 rookie campaign, and he added six wins in 2021 while transitioning between the rotation and bullpen roles.
Other Wins and Performances
In the minor leagues, Bubic was named a Pioneer League All-Star with Idaho Falls in 2018 and an All-Star Futures Game participant in 2019. He also won Cape Cod League Pitcher of the Year honors in 2017 with the Yarmouth–Dennis Red Sox and earned Pac-12 All-Conference recognition in 2018 at Stanford.
Kris Bubic Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Kris Bubic was raised in Cupertino, California, by parents of Croatian descent. His family heritage traces back to Croatia on both sides, providing him with a strong cultural foundation that has supported his baseball career.
Personal Life
Born and raised in Northern California, Bubic attended Archbishop Mitty High School before continuing his education and baseball career at Stanford University. He continues to be recognized as a Bay Area native who has built his professional career with the Kansas City Royals.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked the most successful stretch of Bubic’s major league career. He opened the year in the Royals’ starting rotation and quickly established himself as one of the team’s most reliable arms, mixing quality strikeout totals with low earned run averages. On July 6, 2025, he was named to the American League All-Star team, his first career selection, capping a remarkable comeback from Tommy John surgery.
Through 20 starts, Bubic went 8–7 with a 2.55 ERA and 116 strikeouts in 116⅓ innings, providing the Royals with a dependable left-handed presence. His All-Star nod highlighted both his personal growth and Kansas City’s emergence as a competitive club in the American League.
Bubic’s season ended on July 26, when the Royals disclosed that he would miss the remainder of 2025 with a rotator cuff strain. Despite the injury, his 2025 performance cemented his role in the Royals’ long-term plans and underscored his value as a frontline starter when healthy.