explanation of rankings and other team previews here
2008 Record: 75-87
Offseason Additions: Coco Crisp, Mike Jacobs, Kyle Farnsworth
Offseason Subtractions: Ramon Ramirez, Mark Grudzielanek
Ranks (MLB):
Line-Up – 22nd
Rotation – 22nd
Bullpen – 15th
Defense – 5th tier (out of 5)
Baserunning – 2nd tier (out of 5)
KEY PLAYER: ALEX GORDON
Gordon is the key player on this team not because he can lead them to the playoffs, but rather because this team needs a franchise player, and he’s is their best bet. Gordon came into 2007 as one of the most hyped prospects in baseball and was already being heralded as the next George Brett before he took an AB. Whether the hype was too much or he wasn’t just ready, Gordon hasn’t lived up to expectations in his first 2 seasons, but he did show improvement last year. He just turned 24, and is a breakout candidate this season, it would certainly be nice for the Royals fans to have a great young hitter to watch for the next couple years.
PLAYER TO WATCH: BILLY BUTLER
Butler, like Gordon, was a big time Royals prospect that may have reached the majors a little too soon because they don’t exactly have anyone blocking the young guys from coming up. The 22-year old Butler struggled last season with only 11 HR and 55 RBI. However, there are signs that his struggles might be mental and not physical, as he mashed AAA pitching the last two years when sent down. Butler and Gordon were supposed to be cemented into the 3-4 spots in the Royals line-up for years to come. There is plenty of time for the 2 to figure it out, but they will both be watched closely this season.
PHILLY ANGLE
Phils of the 90s
This team reminds me a lot of the Phillies teams I followed from 1993-1999. Essentially, you know the team doesn’t have much of a chance of competing, but there are glimmers of hope. They have a big time 3B prospect, much like we had Scott Rolen and a young ace like Curt Schilling (Zach Greinke) who will at least get some fans out every 5th day. I remember what a big game it was in Philly when Schilling would pitch a Sunday home day game. No matter how bad we were, those games were always packed and exciting. The good thing about having a team like this is that you can focus on the growth of the young players and not get overly upset by wins and losses. It takes the stress out of the game, and it’s easy to focus on the positive. This, of course, is only OK for a little bit, but the Royals are making moves in the right direction.
QUICK HITS
Worst Contract: Jose Guillen (3 yrs, $36 million, ends in 2010)
Best Pitch: Joakim Soria’s cut fastball
Best Player in a Contract Year: Coco Crisp, OF (team option for 2010)
Top Prospect: Matt Moustakas
Best Individual Season: George Brett, 1980 (.390 BA, 24 HR, 118 RBI, 33 2B, 9 3B, .454 OBP, .664 SLG, 1.118 OPS, MVP)
Worst Uniforms: 2003
Where’d They Come From?
– Draft, 7
- Trade, 5
- Free Agent, 3
- Amateur FA, 0
2009 OUTLOOK
5th AL Central, 11th AL, 23rd MLB
The Royals won a respectable 75 games last year and didn’t finish in last. They will be equally competitive this year, but a playoff run is not happening. Unlike some bottom dwellers (Padres, Pirates), the Royals do have some exciting young talent in Gordon, Butler, Greinke and Joakim Soria. They also have a couple 5-star talents on their way in Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer. The bottom of their rotation is what will doom them this year, unless former #1 overall pick Luke Hochevar puts it together, which is unlikely. I’ll be checking out the apparently very underrated Kauffman Stadium in July to see the Royals first hand, looking forward to it.
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Don’t want to split hairs here or anything, but technically its Kauffman Stadium, and yes it is underrated. Somewhere along the way, the Royals also lost Leo Nunez who was actually a pretty solid set up guy before Soria–definitely better than Farnsworth. And their lineup is surprisingly solid. Like you said, if Butler, Gordon, and Teahan all improve (which they should), the Royals could definitely make some noise. ESPN depth chart has David DeJesus as the 4th outfielder but I think he’s better than Coco Crisp.
Anyway, I would definitely say that the Royals have sleeper potential.
The Royals lead the majors in players that only play 1B/DH (Butler, Jacobs, Gload, Shealy off the top of my head). I think that is a fun stat.
Pete…My buddies and I travel to a Phils weekend road series every season and get a chance to see our boys take on the competition while enjoying the sights/sounds/cold beverages that these other cities have to offer. We ended up staying in the same hotel as the Phils in 2007 while in Denver. After speaking to a few players and such at the hotel bar, we got into a conversation with Larry Andersen (what a character) and Scott Franzke. We asked them of all the cities they’ve been to with the team, which was the most fun and enjoyable. They both said, hands down, Kansas City. It’s definitely on our radar now and I can’t wait to hear how your experience is there as well.
thank God for ESPN Monday night baseball, WGN, and TBS – my only outlets to watch decent teams play this year. good sum up pete – the Kansas City Star agrees with you.
hey, been reading this site regularly for awhile now just never commented but i figured i would ask this question.. isnt the ugliest uniform the futuristic ones they did awhile back and only for like one game or maybe it was a week… those teams that took part in that should be their worst uniforms… just something i have been thinking about during these worst uniform links.
kenny-