Royally Hot Start In KC

By: Michael A. Chase Jr.

05/15/2024

Now about a month and a half into the 2024 MLB season some interesting stories have emerged. One specific team story that has been intriguing to witness thus far is the strong start to the season for one of the league's recent rebuilding clubs. The Kansas City Royals who have not made the postseason since 2015, have started 2024 with a bang. Many observers have been left shocked by how good a team relying on so much youth and undervalued veterans have excelled in the early stages of their campaign. Let's highlight the notable numbers and contributors to the Royals' success through the first 44 games.

The Kansas City Royals currently sit with a 26-18 record and 2nd place in the American League Central this season. They would also make the postseason in AL if the playoffs started today due to sitting in the second Wild Card spot. Now not to get too far ahead but this start has surprised many observers but the reasons for their success can be easily laid out.

The biggest factor in the club's success has been the outstanding pitching they are getting from both their starting staff and bullpen. Through their first 44 games, the Royals have pitched to a 3.46 ERA as a pitching staff. This has them ranked 10th in the MLB in earned run average and ahead of several notable staffs thus far (Twins, Rangers, Blue Jays, Brewers, Astros). The biggest reason for this early season dominance on the mound has a lot to do with the performance of the starting staff. Kansas City's starters have pitched to a 3.22 ERA which is 5th best in the MLB, while also pitching 248.2 innings which is the 3rd most by a staff in the league. What also makes this impressive is the mixture of both experienced and young arms combining to perform at this level as well. You have veteran right-hander Seth Lugo (34) pitching to the 4th-best ERA in the sport at 1.66 and leading the staff after joining the club as a free agent this past offseason. The three younger arms they are relying on in their rotation Brady Singer (27), Cole Ragans (26), and Alec Marsh (26) have all also excelled to start the year. Singer has pitched to a 2.84 ERA, Alec Marsh in his 2nd season has started 3-0 in six starts with a 2.53 ERA, while darkhorse CY Young candidate Cole Ragans has struck out 57 batters in 49 innings with just 3 home runs allowed. For the bullpen while their performance has been more middle of the pack – 15th in ERA, 3.89 – they have gotten standout efforts from several arms. James McArthur has started to settle in as their closer with 10 saves and a 4.58 ERA. You also have John Schreiber (0.90 ERA, 20 IP) and Angel Zerpa (1.59 ERA, 18 IP) as other options who have been elite so far. The last major part of their pitching success has been the job they have done keeping the ball in the yard. This staff has allowed the 5th fewest home runs in the league with just 36. In all the surprising elite production from their pitching staff has the backbone of this rising Royals squad.

The offensive reasons they have started so well come down to their gap power, speed, and overall dominance in their ballpark. The Royals offense has been a lineup reliant not upon power and walks like a lot of the top teams around them. Their personnel is more tailored to their team speed and athleticism which allows them to maximize their ability to generate the 200 runs they've scored – 9th in MLB – especially at home. The Royals rank 6th in doubles (73), tied for 2nd in triples (9), and 6th in stolen bases (47) with all these numbers being especially heightened in their home park, Kauffman Stadium. To go along with their .259 team batting average, they've scored 115 of their 200 runs at home which is the 3rd most in the MLB. They've also hit 42 of their 73 doubles and stolen 24 of their 46 bases while playing in front of the home fans. All this production has led to them having a very good 15-8 record at home thus far. Key contributors to their offense they rely on are valuable vets mixed with talented youngsters just like in the pitching staff. The main vet they lean on is superstar catcher Salvador Perez (34) who has been a fixture for this young lineup. He leads the team in home runs (8), RBIs (33), and batting average (.325) while still providing leadership to the young hitters and pitchers on the club. Their young superstar shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. has looked poised to be a first-time All-Star this year. He's hitting .298, with 11 doubles, 5 triples, 5 home runs, 21 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. You also have others like Vinnie Pasquantino (.243, 5 HR, 12 doubles, 25 RBI) and Maikel Garcia (.239, 4 HR, 25 RBI, 10 stolen bases) who have had constant standout moments during the young season too. Even the recently returned Michael Massey has done well at the plate with 3 home runs and 16 RBIs. They will need other lineup mainstays like MJ Melendez and Hunter Renfroe to bring more to the table as the season continues. But the fact that they have nine different players with 11 or more RBIs and ten players with 10+ runs scored they still have spread the production across the lineup.

In all the play of these young Royals has been fun to watch so far this season. The mixture of strong starting pitching and home offensive success has led the Royals to get off to a hot start out of the gate. Whether they can sustain this level of play remains to be seen but this group has done it to just about everyone's surprise. Now we will see if this Kansas City squad can end their recent postseason drought and do it behind a new crop hoping to star in the light blue for years to come.