The Team: Kansas City Royals
The Year: 2016
W/L Record: 108-54
Run Differential: 847 RS vs. 615 RA +232 Runs
Awards: Felix Hernandez - 2nd Cy Young Award
League Leading Stat Categories: 3.03 Bullpen ERA, 57 home wins, .350 Team OBP, Opponent's Slugging Percentage, 66% QS, 19 shutouts, 615 Runs Against
Lineup/Bench Rotation/Bullpen
CF Michael Bourn Felix Hernandez
LF Joey Gathright Aaron Crow
1B Yonder Alonso Nat Wolcott
DH Frank Workman Tyler Sample
RF Quinton McAbee Kevin Slowey
SS Mike Moustakas CL Joakim Soria
C Manuel Pina SU Henry Barrerra
3B Freddy Sandoval SR Ryota Igarashi
2B Christ Getz SR Adam Plowden
MR Alex Edmunds
LR Wade Leblanc
OF Ryan Sweeney
OF Alan Tinney
C Miguel Montero
OF Grady Sizemore
SS Juan Silverio
The Key Players: On offense the Kansas City Royals were not one of the best teams in the league, but they were above average. The team was balanced, with some speed and some power. At the top of the lineup was Michael Bourn in CF - he slashed 284/365/339 with 43 stolen bases. The team also had Yonder Alonso at first base who produced a 314/414/524 slash with 22 HR and 99 RBI. The team's best player was RF Quinton McAbee - a very good defensive RF who slashed 267/383/462 with 25 HR and 96 RBI.
As I said, the lineup wasn't special, but what carried the Royals to the best record in the AL was their pitching staff. The leader, and Cy Young winner for 2016, was King Felix Hernandez. Felix started 34 games and went 20-5 with a 2.87 ERA. He pitched 222 innings in 2016 and struck out 172 while allowing only 14 HR.
He wasn't the only arm that had a great year for KC - Nat Walcott was a rookie who managed a 2.72 ERA in 145 innings and went 15-3 for the team. They also got solid performances from Aaron Crow and Tyler Sample in their rotation.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect, however, was the bullpen lead by Joakim Soria. Soria saved 52 games with a 2.68 ERA. He struck out 94 in 80 innings and went 5-6 overall. The Royals also got great perfomances from Ryota Igarashi (2.57), Adam Plowden (2.39), Alex Edmunds (2.67), and Wade LeBlanc (2.92). Igarashi at a 69 overall may have been the first test subject for that special stuff in the water for KC!
What Sets Them Apart: The Royals were one of the first teams in our league that managed to take the next big jump from good to great. With some crafty lineups and additions mike was able to launch his team into serious contention for the World Series Title. They had an exceptional bullpen but ran into a very tough Houston team in the WS to end their run.
Interview with the Owner: Mike's Thoughts
Coming Next: 24th Best Team in FCM History: As Smooth and Sweet as Vin Himself
No comments:
Post a Comment